Something Happens... One of the greatest Irish bands ever and the reason I owned so many paisley shirts in the late 80s and early 90s. They were also the reason behind some rather dodgy dancing on the steps up to the stage in the Johnstown Inn on many occasions... But I can forgive them all that because they were so damn good.
I've lost count of how many times I saw them live over the years. I have a terrible memory (that's why I took up photography), but I have recollections of seeing them multiple times in Whelan's back in the early 90s and also in the previously mentioned Johnstown Inn in Kildare, also in the 90s.
I think the last time I saw them was at the Electric Picnic back in 2012, so when I saw that Tom Dunne was performing just down the road in the Riverbank Arts Centre in Newbridge, I jumped that the chance to see him play live again.
So, was it worth it? Oh hell yeah! The set obviously included a lot of Something Happens songs, but he also threw in some Beach Boys, Beatles, Glenn Campbell, Billy Bragg and a dash of Nirvana also. In between songs we were treated to stories about the songs, or the artists he was covering, it made for a night filled with laughter! Obviously, Tom couldn't so that all on his own, so he brought along Alan Connor to play keyboards and the more intricate guitar pieces!
I left that gig smiling and I was still smiling when I edited a couple of the photos late into the night and, as I type this and remember back, I find myself smiling again.
It was a fantastic night of songs and stories. If you get a chance to see the show, you should go.
Now for a few photos:
