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2024-07-05 Sugababes - Iveagh Gardens, Dublin

I've been a Sugababes fan since I first heard Overload way back in 2000.  It was, and still is, a pop classic.  Over the years, I managed to catch them live a couple of times.   The first time I caught Sugababes live was way back at Creamfields 2002.  Unfortunately Siobhan had left the band by then and been replaced by Heidi, so I never got to see the original lineup.  Did it matter much at the time to me?  No, not at all, I was just their to party!  As a side note, post Sugababes, Siobhan went on to release two solo albums, Revolution in Me in 2003 and Ghosts in 2007. The next time I saw them was at Oxegen 2008, and by then Mutya had left the band and was replaced by Amelle, leaving Keisha as the only remaining original member.  It was a tad strange seeing the band with only one remaining member, but again, it was a festival and all we were looking for was a good time, which we definitely got! Another side note, just like Siobhan, Mutya went on to release her own solo work, a gr

2022-10-30 Zaska - The Grand Social, Dublin

It's funny, I've seen Zaska play many times, just never at his own gig...  So, when I saw he was having an album launch party for A Better Way, I thought to myself, I'll head to The Grand Social for that!

Then things got crazy.  I ended up in Scotland that week for a family wedding, got home, the car was in the garage for repairs (still is as I type this) and I'd to figure out the logistics of late night public transport in Ireland for the first time in years!

Was it all worth it?  Oh hell yeah!  It was a fantastic night of music and the room was filled with lots of love for this man!  Special guests on the night included Gemma Dunleavy, Tolü Makay, Karen Cowley (Wyvern Lingo), Melina Malone, Jess Kav, Faye O'Rourke (Soda Blonde), Precious Okpaje, Carly Coonagh and J Smith.  It was a veritable who's who of Irish music talent.

I finally got to meet up with Adele McAlear, Zaskas manager, chatted with the one and only Danny G (might of hatched a plan there) and just had an absolutely brilliant night.  The new album sounds wonderful and I made sure to pick up a copy before I left for home!

Speaking of home, on the way there I met the Bearded Badger.  Who?  The Bearded Badger!  You may or may not know him from TikTok, but he is a storyteller with a love for sticks and he, to quote him, fucking loves sticks.  Check him out!

Anyway, go buy A Better Way.  In fact, go buy it, put it in your collection, then stream it on your phone!

And now for the part none of you were waiting for, the photos:













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