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2024-10-11 King Kong Company - Dolans, Limerick

I was due to see King Kong Company perform in Naas recently, but unfortunately, that festival got cancelled.  So, when I was asked if I'd like to go see them in Dolans , Limerick, I obviously said yes! I hopped in the car after work last Friday and hit the road.  A few stops alongt he way, and I was there by 19:30, in plenty of time to make the show. I've seen King Kong Company plenty of times now to know what to expect.  I was curious to see how Bobby Fingers would perform though, what with him have a dodgy leg.  I needn't have worried though.  He bounced around the stage on one leg, waving a cane in the air like a mad man! Support on the night was from local hip-hop artist, Citrus Fresh , a new name to me, but I really enjoyed his set.   Anyway, on to the photos:

2023-07-22 Stockton's Wing - Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre, Kilkenny

I hadn't been to Kilkenny in ages, so, when I heard that Stockton's Wing were going to be playing Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre, emails were sent and plans were made!

I was looking forward to the gig for a number of reasons.  The first one being that I'd never seen Stockton's Wing perform live before.  I'd seen Mike Hanrahan  live on multiple occasions, but never the full band.  Secondly, I was going to Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre and I'd wanted to go there since I first heard of the venue.

After the bad weather of the last few weeks, I was constantly checking the hourly forecast on Yr.no (Norwegian weather app). It's normally very accurate, so, when it said it would stop raining at 8:00pm that night, I believed it, but I still packed my waterproofs, just in case...

I arrived at the venue, nestled in an old slate quarry twenty minutes outside Kilkenny, got set up and awaited the opening act, Burnchurch.  I knew nothing about them, but Mike had told me they were a great young band and he wasn't wrong.  They are a young band who added a modern twist to their take on traditional Irish music.  Really enjoyed their set, and I loved the uilleann pipes!

That's brings us to Stockton's Wing.  If you know them, you'll know just how good they are live.  If  you don't, well, they mix Irish folk and trad with a bit of, I suppose, soft rock.  A bit like the Sugababes, members of the band come and go, but tonight's lineup featured Mike Hanrahan and Paul Roche, both long serving members of the band.

The crowd loved it, and sure why wouldn't they?  Treated to a fantastic set featuring both "Walk Away" "Over the Moors" and "Beautiful Affair", they sang all night long!

So that's it really.  A great gig in a great venue with some superb musicians.  Can you think of a better way to spend a Saturday night?

Now for some photos and a video.  First up, Stockton's Wing:
















And now for some photos of Burnchurch:






And that's it. Thanks to Stockton's Wing for having me down and thanks to Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre for being wonderful hosts, I'll be back!


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