You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘Gigs’ tag.
So November was a busy month for gig attendance for me with one gig a week for three weeks!
The National @ the o2
It all kicked off with my favourite band at the moment, The National back for the second time this year and my second time seeing them. I really enjoyed the gig at the Marquee in Cork and for me they will never top that gig in the Olympia on a snowy December night in Dublin. We had seated tickets which I find always lacks a bit of atmosphere but at least the view was good. I loved the lighting and stage set-up and they had a large backing band with both brass and strings that enhanced their large sound and filled the o2. Matt always puts his heart and soul into every performance so much so I was in fear that he might fall off the edge of the stage or burst a vocal cord! There was a great mix of both new and old songs. For the finale, Matt went into the crowd and of course there was the now expected sing-along to ‘Vanderlyle Crybaby’ to end the gig on a high.
Blue October @ The Institute, Birmingham
Blue October are another one of my favourites and their gigs never fail to disappoint. This one was no different – the energy at a Blue October gig is always amazing. The Institute is in the Irish Quarter [how appropriate] on Digbeth High Street – a lovely intimate venue. They are currently touring their seventh studio album Sway. The band were truly on form for this tour and it showed. The set list was brilliant featuring many favourites kicking off with Sway. I also especially loved Fear, Not Broken Anymore and Bleed Out from the new album and also some of my old favourites including Into the Ocean, The Worry List and Italian Radio. We ended the night off in the Kerryman next door with a lock-in listening to the album – a fitting ending to another memorable gig.
The Lumineers @ the o2
The Lumineers are a folk rock band from Denver, Colorado. If you’re thinking the who? then all I have to say to you would be two little words ‘Ho Hey’!
Based on the liking of that one song which was on constant repeat on the radio at the time, I agreed to go to this gig. It just shows how one popular song can sell out the o2. Apparently Dublin was their biggest gig to date. The band are good musicians hopping ably between instruments but they failed to hold my interest. With only one album and ten songs, there was a lot of pauses and a few covers to fill in time. The lead singer, Wesley, who looks a bit like Thor [Chris Hemsworth] was quite bossy telling us to stand up and put away our mobile phones. They also played ‘Ho Hey’ quite early on and there was a good sing-along. They tried to get close to the crowd by playing a short set in the centre of the o2. By the time the band came back on for an encore, we had had enough and left before the end which for me is a rare occurrence. Judging by the screaming adoring fans they won’t miss me at the next one.
Well two out of three great gigs in one month ain’t a bad score!
If you crash a car into your best friend’s house
Benjamin Francis Leftwich, the English singer-songwriter played Whelan’s last night and it was a lovely, enjoyable evening. He was suffering from a sore throat and had cancelled Belfast the night before. This song is taken from his debut album, Last Smoke Before The Snowstorm, which was released in July 2011 and he has been touring it ever since. Next stop, America. Love also the artwork on the album cover and the T-shirts.
The Meteor Camden Crawl Dublin 2012 was launched in Whelans on Wednesday 15th February. This exciting new event is due to take place on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th May across fifteen venues in Dublin and will introduce over 100 cutting edge live acts.
Tickets are to be exchanged for wristbands which allow free entry to each of the participating venues throughout the festival as individual capacities permit. Wristbands and programmes announcing the full line ups and timings for the event are obtainable from 5pm – 10pm each day at the ticket exchange point located at Whelans, Wexford Street, Dublin 2.
So far the line up that has been announced includes Ireland’s own ALARMIST • HANDS UP WHO WANTS TO DIE • JOGGING • LAFARO • LAST DAYS OF 1984 • LAURA SHEERAN • LE GALAXIE • LEMONADA • LETHAL DIALECT • LITTLE XS FOR EYES • MELODICA DEATHSHIP • TIERANNIESAUR • WE ARE LOSERS……..And travelling all the way from the UK we will have BECOMING REAL • CLOCK OPERA • D/R/U/G/S • DUTCH UNCLES among many others to be announced soon.
Tickets are at a very affordable €25 for a single night or €40 for a weekend pass.
For more information and to buy tickets check out their website:
http://www.camdencrawldublin.com/
So the Kings are back on top with an excellent, show-stopping performance at the O2 last night. Support was by American rock band The Whigs, not my thing, but they certainly gave it their all. They are back to play a more intimate gig on March 1st for anyone that’s interested and were selling their album at the recession-busting price of €5 last night. The O2 filled up for the main act who stormed on stage banging out hit after hit from both their latest crowd-pleasing album, Come Around Sundown, and their many hits like Crawl, On Call, Knocked Up and Notion among others from previous albums. The stage design was impressive with three big screens and so much lighting it was positively blinding at times. The whole wall behind them was dotted with what liked like the body parts of Wall-E [was wondering what happened to him]! It’s great to see them in the intimate setting with c.13,000 fans of an indoor arena with crystal clear sound. It also brings home how good the songs from their new album are with Mary shining as brightly as the disco ball over head and also Pyro, The End and Back Down South driving the audience into a frenzy. They ended the set with Use Somebody and an excellent encore featuring Closer, Sex on Fire and to finish Black Thumbnail after which there were fireworks exploding from the lighting behind them – a finish good enough for the X-Factor and last night these guys were on fire.
After more than a year’s break and a road trip that took in India, Spain and France, the Baxter’s back with an updated website, a new tune and upcoming gigs. Head over to Tom Baxter’s website to have a listen to his the title track ‘Golden’ of his forthcoming album. A preview of this track is available to listen to by joining the mailing list which will also keep you updated with all the goings-on. ‘Golden’ is a soundtrack to his travels or as Tom puts it “a catalogue of memories and emotions that I collected as I went along”. It is a beautiful song reminiscent of Tom’s debut album ‘Feather and Stone’ with a new Spanish-sounding flamenco twist. It’s perfect for these Autumn nights giving us a warm glow. Hopefully the sign of more good things to come.
Tom is on track to release an EP later on in the year, with an album to follow in 2011. He will be showcasing some of his new material playing intimate gigs in Paris, London and of course Dublin – this boy is back in town appearing in Whelan’s on the 24th November. Tickets on sale Friday at 9am and with a very pocket-friendly €19.50, he’s sure to be in demand.
Bulmers Live at Leopardstown series.
For eight Thursday nights this summer, Dublin’s only racecourse will combine the atmosphere of a boutique music festival with the best in horse racing, all for an unbeatable Entry Price of €15
Thursday, June 10th Fun Lovin’ Criminals
Thursday, June 17th Mundy (and band)
Thursday, July 1st Aslan
Thursday, July 8th Duke Special
Thursday, July 15th Paul Brady (and Band)
Thursday, July 22nd Delorentos
Thursday, August 5th Alabama 3
Thursday, August 12th Sharon Shannon
FEAT Shane MacGowan
For more information and to buy tickets, go to
http://www.leopardstown.com/
National Music Day Friday 16th April
Music Network presents love:live music – Ireland’s first National Music Day, in association with RTÉ lyric fm on Friday 16 April 2010. The event will celebrate live music with lots of free live music events in cities and towns across the land. Whether you want to perform or simply listen – it’s your day. To search for or register an event, go to the love: live website.
A Sample of Events in Dublin include:
Harps on the Bridge
Location: Samuel Beckett Bridge, Sir John Rogerson’s Quay- south side -linking to Spenser Dock – north side of River Liffey
Time: 12:45 – 13:30
Listen to the sound of 24 harpers of all ages who will gather to perform on the recently opened Samuel Beckett Calatrava-designed 24 string ‘harp’ bridge in Dublin.
love:live music Dublin flagship performance
Location: The Button Factory, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Time:20:00 – 22:30
Tickets: Free but ticketed
Booking:01 6719429 or admin@musicnetwork.ie
A traditional Irish music concert featuring some of the finest musicians in the land including Slide, a “powerhouse quintet of traditional musicians with attitude” (The Irish Times), Fidil “…three exceptional and ambitious musicians” (The Irish Times) and duo Brendan Begley & Caoimhín O Raghallaigh performing “…some of the most maddeningly nourishing, elevating and mesmerizing Irish traditional music you’ll hear”, (Irish Echo). This concert will later be broadcast on RTÉ Lyric fm’s The Blue of the Night.
Hi-Hat Presents: Hollywood Slim & The Fat Cats
Location: D.C.C., 20 Camden Row, Dublin 8
Time: 21:00
live music THE COVERS , INDIE /ROCK
Location: TURKS HEAD, PARLIAMENT ST , DUBLIN 2
Time: 22:00
State to host free Super Extra Bonus Party Love:Live Music gig
State is extremely proud to be involved and will be hosting a special free live show at the Mercantile on Dame Street in Dublin featuring Super Extra Bonus Party, The Cast Of Cheers and Take The Money & Run. Best of all it’s completely free. Keep an eye out on State.ie for more details on how to get tickets.
Watch Marina perform a few songs and chat during an eleven minute 4Music special – 4Play: Marina and the Diamonds – on Channel 4.
Her debut full-length studio album, The Family Jewels, will be released 22 February 2010. Also keep an eye out for her as she is due to appear as a musical guest on GMTV on Thursday, 4th February and also Friday Night with Jonathan Ross on 5 February, 2010. Also if you didn’t get the chance before to see her live, she has just announced her tour dates and is due to play Dublin’s Tripod on the 27th May 2010.
The fourth BBC Electric Proms 2009 kicked off last night with Robbie Williams comeback performance after a three year break. It took place in the stunning Roundhouse venue in London’s Camden. It opened with Bodies followed by a mix of old songs – No Regrets dedicated to Gary Barlow; Angels; Millennium among others and some new ones – Deceptacon (a grower according to Robbie) and Starstruck among others. It ended with a rendition of ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’. Am already looking forward to watching more.
If you couldn’t be there live, there were plenty of options including:
Watch It In Cinemas…
Another Guinness World Record for Robbie for the most simultaneous cinematic screenings of a live concert. It was shown in both Swords and Dundrum cinemas in Ireland and all around Europe.
Join In The Chat…
BBC’s live online chat took place during Robbie’s performance. Fans everywhere got together to talk about one of the biggest music events of the year.
Tune In On The Radio…
In the UK BBC Radio 1 included Scott Mills’ chat with Robbie himself, followed by coverage of the big event live. While in Europe a few radio stations outside of the UK will also be broadcasting coverage live – including:
Austria: hitradio ö3
Germany: BR- Bayern 3, SR1, SWR3, SWR – ‘Das Ding’ show, WDR2, WDR 1 Live, NDR 2, HR3, RBB- Radioeins, RB – Bremen Vier
Italy: RTL 102,500
Norway: NRK P1
Switzerland (German Speaking): DRS3
Denmark: Radio ABC
See it on the small screen on BBC2
Highlights of the performance were later screened on the television on BBC2 at 11.50. Well worth staying up for.
All performers at the BBC Electric Proms are challenged to come up with new and original material or arrangements of their music to reflect the central theme of the festival, creating new moments in music. All of this can be accessed either at the venues, watching and listening on the BBC, or by interacting with online, red button and mobile media.
BBC Electric Proms 2009 will feature the headline acts of Robbie Williams, Dizzee Rascal with a live band & orchestra, Doves with the London Bulgarian Choir, as well as Dame Shirley Bassey and Smokey Robinson both with the BBC Concert Orchestra.
In addition to the headliners, Florence and the Machine and Metronomy will be performing in The Roundhouse’s Studio Theatre as part of the New Music Shorts initiative. Seminal Manchester band Magazine will be gracing the Main Space with Doves, while the finest UK Hip Hop, RnB, Garage, Dancehall and Drum & Bass will be represented at 1xtra’s After Party.
A selection of big-name bands are set to converge on Dublin and Worldwide this September to mark the 250th birthday of Guinness. “Arthur’s Day” takes place on September 24th, and will see a number of musical acts join in the festivities to commemorate the anniversary of the first time the Guinness inventor poured a pint of the black stuff.
There’s never been a gig like this before. On September 24th, some of the biggest names in music will perform live in the heart of the St. James’s Gate Brewery. Iconic bands and artists celebrating Arthur’s Day in the home of GUINNESS®.
At exactly 17:59 we’ll raise a glass to the life and legacy of Arthur Guinness. Then, in Hop Store 13, one of the historic, original buildings on the St. James’s Gate site – our headline acts will take to the stage, starting a series of celebrations across Dublin…and the globe.
The gigs will take place in a 2,000-capacity, specially converted building called “Hop Store 13” at the St James’s Gate Brewery, as well as four hub venues in Dublin – The Academy, Whelan’s, Vicar Street and Tripod. There will also be additional performances in 28 Dublin pubs, with details and further Irish and international musical acts to be announced over the coming months. Details on how to get tickets will also be revealed in mid-June.
Four Remarkable Gigs
Four of the city’s top venues – Vicar Street, Whelans, The Academy and TRIPOD, are being taken over by huge headline acts.
Each exclusive, intimate gig will feature an eclectic line-up of major bands and artists all celebrate the life and legacy of Arthur Guinness and the establishment of the Arthur Guinness Fund.
The shows are being broadcast all over the world and you could be one of the lucky people saying, “I was there…”
The bands include David Holmes; Soul II Soul; The Undertones; D’Banj; Mongrel; Reverend and the Makers; The Wombats; The Enemy; Hot Rats; Jamie Cullum; The Blizzards and The Kooks.
Live at the Local
And on Arthur’s Day, some of the finest pubs Dublin has to offer will host some of the best live acts in town in one-off, up close and personal gigs.
Line-up will not be revealed in advance, it will include live performances from two of the acts below:
Mystery Jets, Noah and the Whale, Johnny Flynn, Golden Silvers, Jay Jay Pistolet, Mick Flannery, Dirty Epics, The Chakras, Cherbourg, Eoghan Colgan, Hoarsebox , Nat Jenkins, Noise Control, The Chapters (more acts to be confirmed)
Along with a special guest performance from one of the following:
Kasabian, Estelle, The Kooks, Razorlight, David Gray, Soul II Soul, The Blizzards, Sugababes, Jamie Cullum, The Enemy, Calvin Harris, The Undertones, Mongrel, The Wombats, Richard Hawley, David Holmes, Black Swan Effect, Imelda May, The Hot Rats, Reverend and the Makers, Republic of Loose (more acts to be confirmed)
The pubs include Bruxelles; Hogans; Sin E; South William; The Auld Dubliner; The Odeon; Brogans; Café En Seine; Pygmalion Powerscourt Centre; Spy; The Bank on College Green; Eamon Doran’s; Oliver St John Gogarty; The Temple Bar; Flannery’s; Dakota; O’Donoghues; Market Bar; The Foggy Dew; The Baggott Inn; The Stags Head; The Palace Bar; The Church; The Village; The Brazen Head; Mulligans Poolbeg St; Dicey Reillys and Doheny & Nesbitt’s.
Worldwide Celebrations
From spectacular events in major cities like New York and Kuala Lumpur, to intimate affairs at your local bar or pub…wherever you are you can join the party and toast the great man.
It’s going to be an unforgettable day. So join the worldwide celebration.
More information can be found on the 250 Arthur’s Day Website
Girl from the Hills Blog 