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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  Unfortunately Siobhan had left the band by then and been replaced by Heidi, so I never got to see the original lineup.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

2023-09-09 Wild Food Festival, Naas

Well, it's the end of the summer and, as usual, the last summer festival on my list is the Naas Wild Food Festival. It's a great mix of food and music, a perfect way to spend a warm weekend!

I got there about 30 minutes late on Saturday, so I only got to catch the tail end of Lypton Village's set. I saw them earlier in the year at the Bealtaine Festival and they were excellent, they really got the crowd  going!

Next up onstage was a Naas local, the fantastic Gemma Cox.  I've seen Gemma on many occasions, she has a stunning voice, catchy, quirky songs, always fun to catch live.  Definitely check out her music and, when you see her playing live, go.  You will enjoy it!

Following Gemma was Saibh Skelly,  I'd seen Saibh busk in Dublin a few years back, but the first time i got to see her live was when she supported Janet Devlin in Dublin, back in November 2021.  I enjoyed her set that night and have been keeping an eye and an ear out for her music.  I'd high hopes for her set at the festival and I wasn't disappointed.  She's far more confident on stage, her voice sounds stronger also.  Surely there are big things ahead for her!

I saw Lea Heart last year at the Playing Fields Festival.  I had no idea who she was, I'd not heard of her before, but the crowd knew who she was, and they sang all night long with her.  She put on a great show.  Since that show, I've watched as she's toured Ireland, played the Electric Picnic, supported Sigrid and Lewis Capaldi.  Safe to say, she is going places.  Tonight's show was just pure pop and the crowd really enjoyed every minute of it.  And why wouldn't they?  She has a fantastic way with her fans and they love her for it.

Closing out the night were the Bjorn Identity.  This was my second time catching them live this summer after previously seeing them at TribFest.  They were brilliant that night and, well, they were equally as brilliant tonight.  The thing with tribute bands are, like them or loathe them, you know the songs and you will end up singing along.  The only way out of this is to leave, and you're not going to leave early when there is craic to be had, are you???

Anyway, I really enjoyed their set.  It's just pure fun and, as it happens, they're excellent musicians and singers also!  

Roll on Naas Wild Food Festival 2024!

Now for some photos and a video!

Gemma Cox




Saibh Skelly




Lea Heart




The Bjorn Identity





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