Biggest Band/Artist to ever play Waterford?

Dunmoreroader

The National coming to ATN Curraghmore next summer got me thinking that we haven't had a lot of big acts playing concerts here (City or County) over the years, not since Fleadh Mor in '93. Plenty in their twilight years or on the way up at Daytripper and various gigs in town, U2 in the Regional before they got big etc. but who were really big in their pomp that played here?

Hard to find 1 source that measures worldwide sales using the same methodology and I know I've left out plenty to be added but I'll start a list anyway, here goes;

Band/Artist Venue/Festival Year Career Record Sales (Net Worth)(edits and additions welcomed)

U2 WRTC Canteen/The Showboat 1980 150 Million
Status Quo South Tramore 2004 118 Million
Bob Dylan Fleadh Mor Tramore 1993 100 Million
Van Morrission Fleadh Mor Tramore 1993 ? (Net Worth $90M)
UB40 Daytripper 2017 70 Million
Calvin Harris The Forum 2010 ? (N.W. $220 Million)
50 Cent Daytripper 2011 17 Million
Sister Sledge Daytripper 2018 15 Million
Madness Daytripper 2013 6 Million+(I think this is UK only, can't find worldwide)
The National A.T.N. Curraghmore 2019 1-2 Million*

* Not that big record sales to date, but gigging here while still in vogue/hot (in an indy kind of way!)

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_music_artists
https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-20-biggest-selling-groups-of-all-time-revealed-__2515/
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/50-best-selling-music-artists-all-time-bands-singers-musicians-richest-beatles-a7946531.html
https://www.celebritynetworth.com/

As I said, it's missing a few but this has the potential to be more divisive than Brexit, The Civil War or Blur Vs Oasis!

jimbojazz

Dunmoreroader wrote: »

The National coming to ATN Curraghmore next summer got me thinking that we haven't had a lot of big acts playing concerts here (City or County) over the years, not since Fleadh Mor in '93. Plenty in their twilight years or on the way up at Daytripper and various gigs in town, U2 in the Regional before they got big etc. but who were really big in their pomp that played here?

Hard to find 1 source that measures worldwide sales using the same methodology and I know I've left out plenty to be added but I'll start a list anyway, here goes;

Band/Artist Venue/Festival Year Career Record Sales (Net Worth)(edits and additions welcomed)

U2 WRTC Canteen/The Showboat 1980 150 Million
Status Quo South Tramore 2004 118 Million
Bob Dylan Fleadh Mor Tramore 1993 100 Million
Van Morrission Fleadh Mor Tramore 1993 ? (Net Worth $90M)
UB40 Daytripper 2017 70 Million
Calvin Harris The Forum 2010 ? (N.W. $220 Million)
50 Cent Daytripper 2011 17 Million
Sister Sledge Daytripper 2018 15 Million
Madness Daytripper 2013 6 Million+(I think this is UK only, can't find worldwide)
The National A.T.N. Curraghmore 2019 1-2 Million*

* Not that big record sales to date, but gigging here while still in vogue/hot (in an indy kind of way!)

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_music_artists
https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-20-biggest-selling-groups-of-all-time-revealed-__2515/
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/50-best-selling-music-artists-all-time-bands-singers-musicians-richest-beatles-a7946531.html
https://www.celebritynetworth.com/

As I said, it's missing a few but this has the potential to be more divisive than Brexit, The Civil War or Blur Vs Oasis!

The Smiths - The Savoy, or the Regal maybe
Human League - The Bridge
The Prodigy - Metroland
The Pogues - mostly in the Bridge

PTH2009

Def Leppard- The Bridge (Played here during the Hysteria era, it was a mini club tour to warm up for a world tour)

That flead mhor festival in tramore had a **** load of famous acts going by the poster you see in some places around Waterford. Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis to name a few

realy needed Walsh Park too host concerts as when u look at Kilkenny getting big name acts too play Nowlan Park. Bob Dylan/Neil Young (2019), Rod Stewart (2016), Bruce Springsteen (2013)

debok

Johnny cash, Kris kristoferson played forum.
David grey has sold lot of albums played here before and after he got big.

Deise Vu

I remember UB40 played the Butler community centre in the early 90's :eek::eek::eek:

The farm played in the Stonecourt, I think.

Beautiful South played the forum.

Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze played the Forum solo. He said he googled us before the concert and was amazed Gilbert O'Sullivan was born here before singing Alone Again. Then he sang Val Doonican's Paddy McGinty's goat - brilliant!

The legendary Gilbert O'Sullivan played the piano up in Mt Sion one evening in the 70's, if that counts! I think he has refused to play concerts here though.

I'm sure Val Doonican must have played the Theatre Royal at some stage?

Joan Armatrading played in the Theatre Royal not so long ago too.

Harry Palmr

PTH2009 wrote: »

Def Leppard- The Bridge (Played here during the Hysteria era, it was a mini club tour to warm up for a world tour)

That flead mhor festival in tramore had a **** load of famous acts going by the poster you see in some places around Waterford. Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis to name a few

realy needed Walsh Park too host concerts as when u look at Kilkenny getting big name acts too play Nowlan Park. Bob Dylan/Neil Young (2019), Rod Stewart (2016), Bruce Springsteen (2013)

It was Halfway House/Kate Reilly's August 1986 and I know cos I was there

Human League played The Bridge in 1985 so after their UK peak but before they had their only American no 1 "Human" so they were biggish!

PTH2009

Harry Palmr wrote: »

It was Halfway House/Kate Reilly's August 1986 and I know cos I was there

always thought it was the Bridge hotel Def Leppard played but obv I was wrong

Here's a good read up about it I just found

http://www.deflepparduk.com/2016newsnov184.html

Amazing how much live music was different in the old days. It would unthinkable now too see well known band's playing small venues

Harry Palmr

Music Moves were er instrumental in getting acts to Waterford - The Smiths was their breakthrough act if I recall playing at the old Savoy cinema.

https://www.morrissey-solo.com/wiki/Waterford,_Ireland_1984-11-11_(The_Smiths_concert)

I'll bet someone who knows MM is reading this so please post, it was heady days in 1984/5/6.

mooseknunkle

jimbojazz wrote: »

The Smiths - The Savoy, or the Regal maybe
Human League - The Bridge
The Prodigy - Metroland
The Pogues - mostly in the Bridge

Carl Cox was on before them if i remember correctly

Johnboy1951

Here's an oldie for you

Mungo Jerry played in Tramore

Harry Palmr

Was it in the summertime?

Johnboy1951

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Was it in the summertime?

A very very wet bank holiday weekend ...... so I guess yes ...... and I think it was shortly after that song made it big, but not certain.

Been trying to remember the name of the venue .... The Atlantic Ballroom I think

Smell the glove

Didn't Weller play South? And Fatboy Slim? Babyshambles and Mercury Rev and Ian Brown played Electric Avenue/Ten/Theatre Royal. The Thrills, Ocean Colour Scene, scissor Sisters, Calvin Harris all played The Forum I'm sure.

engiweirdo

South was some venue in fairness. Was sad to see it go. Violent Femmes played there too I think.

Smell the glove

engiweirdo wrote: »

South was some venue in fairness. Was sad to see it go. Violent Femmes played there too I think.

As is always with tramore, fantastic place to go out for the day drinking and watching/listening to music......pain in the hole to get back from!

mooseknunkle

Smell the glove wrote: »

Didn't Weller play South? And Fatboy Slim? Babyshambles and Mercury Rev and Ian Brown played Electric Avenue/Ten/Theatre Royal. The Thrills, Ocean Colour Scene, scissor Sisters, Calvin Harris all played The Forum I'm sure.

Paul Oakenfold played the opening night in South and it was some night really great venue at the time

south

mooseknunkle wrote: »

Carl Cox was on before them if i remember correctly

Think it was the fourth dimension.

aziz

[QUOTE=PTH2009;108874787

Amazing how much live music was different in the old days. It would unthinkable now too see well known band's playing small venues[/QUOTE]

It was the done thing before the advent of the internet that quite big English acts would do a small low key tour of Ireland to try out new material before they do a larger English tour.
The English audience wouldn't hear of anything as no uk journalists would be invited or even bother to cross the pond.
Record companies would fund these shows so it wouldn't cost the Irish promoter too much and most shows were just treated as a live rehearsal.

Manic street preachers played in the Mansion and snow patrol played in the kings,both before they made in big and both to a audience of about thirty.

Muttley79

Vince power and a few locals had south in tramore,some brilliant bands and dj’s played there in its short time,a huge shame that it closed down as it brought great weekends to tramore.paul okenfold,Paul Weller,status quo,the water boys,Mauro picotto,John digweed,the stranglers to name a few.both Waterford and tramore could do with a place like that again.

Harry Palmr

Possibly the weirdest promotional tour was for Zeno who about three people will have heard of.

http://klassickerranginterviews.weebly.com/zeno---march-1986.html

mooseknunkle

south wrote: »

Think it was the fourth dimension.

Now there's a blast from the past :eek: ,i used to collect flyers and i can vaguely remember that one, i think you're right it was the 4th dimension

Gillman1998

James played Daytripper a couple of years ago.

jimbojazz

Gillman1998 wrote: »

James played Daytripper a couple of years ago.

They also were the support act for The Smiths in The Savoy

I was very young at the time but I vaguely remember Thin Lizzy played in the Regina cinema

aziz

Not sure on that but Phil lynott played in the savoy in one of his first solo gigs.

Johnboy1951

The Ard Rí hosted quie a few bands in its day ...... Skid Row comes to mind (Brush Shiels etc.) ...... am unsure if Gary Moore was with them that night. Also had Colm Wilkinson before he went on to musical success in the UK.

TheGom

Haven't seen these mentioned.

The Housemartins, the Bridge.

Howard Jones, butlers community.

Bad Manners, the Savoy.

PTH2009

Was the butlers community centre big or something back in the day ?

jimbojazz

TheGom wrote: »

Haven't seen these mentioned.

The Housemartins, the Bridge.

Howard Jones, butlers community.

Bad Manners, the Savoy.

I was at that Bad Manners one, I’d say there was less than 100 at it, but I won the raffle to meet them back atage.

Let’s just say they weren’t in the best of condition but Buster was a decent enough lad. They were staying in the Maryland and he walked down with me and my mates after the gig

friendlyfun

Queen played T. H Doolans before everyone liked them

thomasm

Ash played preachers

lassykk

friendlyfun wrote: »

Queen played T. H Doolans before everyone liked them

No way?

Wanderer78

Billy connolly was in the theatre royal, wasn't he?

Max Powers

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Billy connolly was in the theatre royal, wasn't he?

Yep in the forum anyway, not sure about TR, Johnny cash too, scissor sisters also, ian Brown....could have been south in tramore

friendlyfun

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Billy connolly was in the theatre royal, wasn't he?

He actually mentions Waterford as one of his tour dates on the late late. This is from 1995/6


https://youtu.be/cNa0wuxh54g

jimbojazz

friendlyfun wrote: »

He actually mentions Waterford as one of his tour dates on the late late. This is from 1995/6


https://youtu.be/cNa0wuxh54g

I was at the Theatre Royal one, he stayed in the Ard Ri and ripped the absolute urine out of it for some reason

Wanderer78

jimbojazz wrote:

I was at the Theatre Royal one, he stayed in the Ard Ri and ripped the absolute urine out of it for some reason

Was that in the 80's, think some family members went?

jimbojazz

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Was that in the 80's, think some family members went?

I'd say it was, can't remember exact date. He wasn't that funny to be honest, seemed to be in a humour as far as I remember

azimuth17

Connolly played a couple of gigs in Theatre Royal. Did Ray Charles and Joan Baez and Jerry lee Lewis play the Fleadh Mor. Didn't Tammy Wynette (stand by your man) play the Forum?

Adyx

Marshall Jefferson (& someone else who's name I can't remember) in The Rhythm Room back in 2000/2001.

gscully

Roy Orbison played the Olympia Ballroom on Parnell St back in the 60s.

Here's the weird bit. A local historian who was at that concert told me that the support act was an up-and-coming guitarist/vocalist called Bruce Springsteen.

I can't find anything to back that up.

PTH2009

gscully wrote: »

Here's the weird bit. A local historian who was at that concert told me that the support act was an up-and-coming guitarist/vocalist called Bruce Springsteen.

I can't find anything to back that up.

highly doubt that cause he siad he didnt come over to Europe til the 70s and considering Bruce was only born in 1949

gscully

Well, the age would be right, but like I said, I can't back it up. I wasn't even born myself :-)

It wouldn't surprise me if the said historian imagined it up and then started to believe it.

Dunmoreroader

OK, I've enjoyed this trip down memory lane, I was at at good few of the gigs mentioned but we've gone off topic.
My original question was; who has played here while they were world famous and in their pomp? I know I didn't help with some of the acts I included in my original list so let's narrow it down to artists that met one of the following criteria;
1. must have released at least 1 new studio album (not greatest hits) that had reached top 40 in the US or top 10 in the UK within the previous 5 years or 1 year after playing Waterford,
2. must have released at least 1 new studio album (not greatest hits) in the preceding 5 years when they played Waterford. that subsequently certified Gold in the US (500,000 units) or the UK (100,000 units),
2. must have had at least 1 UK No.1 single or US Billboard top 10 single within the preceding 2 years.
So looking at my original list + acts suggested;

Artist / Venue/Festival / Year / Career Record Sales (Net Worth) / Justification for making list

U2 WRTC Canteen/The Showboat 1980 150 Million 'Boy' No.52 in the UK and No.63 in the US but was subsequently ranked number 417 on Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time"
Van Morrission Fleadh Mor Tramore 1993 ? (Net Worth $90M) 'Avalon Sunset' 1989 most definitely keeps Van on this list.
50 Cent Daytripper 2011 17 Million 'Before I self-destruct' 2009 keeps Mr Cent on here.
Madness Daytripper 2013 6 Million+ Album 'Oui Oui, Si Si, Ja Ja, Da Da' 2012 keeps them here though they're mostly living off the 80's hits
The National - A.T.N. Curraghmore - 2019 - 1-2 Million - Albums 'Sleep Well Beast' 2017 No.1 UK, No. 2 US
The Smiths - The Savoy 1984 Album 'The Smiths' 1984 UK No.2, went Gold
The Human League The Bridge 1985
The Prodigy - Metroland 1995 'Music for the Jilted Generation' 1994 went Platinum in the UK so yea they were happening at the time and go on the list.

Disqualified subject to argument:

Bob Dylan Fleadh Mor Tramore 1993 100 Million 'Good as I Been to You' only reached  No.  51 in the US and  No.  18 in the UK
UB40 Daytripper 2017 70 Million Greatest hits touring band by 2017 even Ali Campbell rejoining doesn't keep them on.
Sister Sledge Daytripper 2018 15 Million Last hit studio album 33 years previous.
"I'm sure Val Doonican must have played the Theatre Royal at some stage?" - Ah here.
Joan Armatrading - The Theatre Royal - 2015 - legend but doesn't meet the criteria.

Inclusion on 'The List' pending subject to testing versus criteria above as I'm just cutting & pasting your responses and I haven't had a chance to verify:

The Pogues - mostly in the Bridge
Def Leppard- Katie Reilly's 1986
Ray Charles Fleadh Mor Tramore 1993
Jerry Lee Lewis Fleadh Mor Tramore 1993
Johnny cash The Forum
Kris Kristoferson The forum
David Grey
The Farm - The Stonecourt Year?
The Beautiful South - The Forum - Year?
Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze played the Forum solo.
Gilbert O'Sullivan - Mt Sion - the 70's
Carl Cox - The Metroland - 1995
Mungo Jerry - The Atlantic Ballroom Tramore - Year?
Paul Weller - South - Year?
Fatboy Slim- Electric Avenue/Ten/Theatre Royal - Year?
Babyshambles
Mercury Rev
Ian Brown- South/ Electric Avenue/Ten/Theatre Royal - Years?
The Thrills - The Forum - Year?
Ocean Colour Scene - The Forum - Year?
Scissor Sisters - The Forum - Year?
Violent Femmes - South - Year?
Paul Oakenfold - South - Year?
The Fourth Dimension - Metroland - 1995
Manic street preachers - Back of The Mansion - Year?
Snow Patrol - The kings - Year?
The Waterboys
Mauro picotto
John digweed
the stranglers
James - Daytripper - Year?
Thin Lizzy played in the Regina cinema
The Housemartins, the Bridge.
Howard Jones, butlers community.
Bad Manners, the Savoy.
Queen played T. H Doolans before everyone liked them
Ash played preachers
Billy Connolly was in the theatre royal, wasn't he?
Didn't Tammy Wynette (stand by your man) play the Forum?
Marshall Jefferson (& someone else who's name I can't remember) in The Rhythm Room back in 2000/2001
Roy Orbison played the Olympia Ballroom on Parnell St back in the 60s.
Bruce Springsteen - Olympia

Any more, please add to list rather than as comments underneath. Edit, add, verify as your going along lads. Disagree with the criteria for inclusion; argue alternatives!

alta stare

Fun Lovin Criminals. The Forum.

eiresandra

Dunmoreroader wrote: »

Artist / Venue/Festival / Year / Career Record Sales (Net Worth) / Justification for making list

50 Cent Daytripper 2011 17 Million 'Before I self-destruct' 2009 keeps Mr Cent on here.

Small amendment. It wasn't Daytripper, it was Waterford Music Fest. Faithless also played who would be worthy of mention, but may not meet newer criteria!

eiresandra

alta stare wrote: »

Fun Lovin Criminals. The Forum.

Fun Lovin Criminals also played the Kazbar as part of Arthur's Day Celebrations a few years back.

TheGom

TheGom wrote: »

Haven't seen these mentioned.

The Housemartins, the Bridge.

Howard Jones, butlers community.

Bad Manners, the Savoy.

The Housemartins & Howard Jones had UK No1's in the previous 5 year, unfortunately No3 (twice) was as high as Bad Manners got.

ImAHappyCamper

Dunmoreroader wrote: »

OK, I've enjoyed this trip down memory lane, I was at at good few of the gigs mentioned but we've gone off topic.
My original question was; who has played here while they were world famous and in their pomp? I know I didn't help with some of the acts I included in my original list so let's narrow it down to artists that met one of the following criteria;
1. must have released at least 1 new studio album (not greatest hits) that had reached top 40 in the US or top 10 in the UK within the previous 5 years or 1 year after playing Waterford,
2. must have released at least 1 new studio album (not greatest hits) in the preceding 5 years when they played Waterford. that subsequently certified Gold in the US (500,000 units) or the UK (100,000 units),
2. must have had at least 1 UK No.1 single or US Billboard top 10 single within the preceding 2 years.
So looking at my original list + acts suggested;

Artist / Venue/Festival / Year / Career Record Sales (Net Worth) / Justification for making list

U2 WRTC Canteen/The Showboat 1980 150 Million 'Boy' No.52 in the UK and No.63 in the US but was subsequently ranked number 417 on Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time"
Van Morrission Fleadh Mor Tramore 1993 ? (Net Worth $90M) 'Avalon Sunset' 1989 most definitely keeps Van on this list.
50 Cent Daytripper 2011 17 Million 'Before I self-destruct' 2009 keeps Mr Cent on here.
Madness Daytripper 2013 6 Million+ Album 'Oui Oui, Si Si, Ja Ja, Da Da' 2012 keeps them here though they're mostly living off the 80's hits
The National - A.T.N. Curraghmore - 2019 - 1-2 Million - Albums 'Sleep Well Beast' 2017 No.1 UK, No. 2 US
The Smiths - The Savoy 1984 Album 'The Smiths' 1984 UK No.2, went Gold
The Human League The Bridge 1985
The Prodigy - Metroland 1995 'Music for the Jilted Generation' 1994 went Platinum in the UK so yea they were happening at the time and go on the list.

Disqualified subject to argument:

Bob Dylan Fleadh Mor Tramore 1993 100 Million 'Good as I Been to You' only reached  No.  51 in the US and  No.  18 in the UK
UB40 Daytripper 2017 70 Million Greatest hits touring band by 2017 even Ali Campbell rejoining doesn't keep them on.
Sister Sledge Daytripper 2018 15 Million Last hit studio album 33 years previous.
"I'm sure Val Doonican must have played the Theatre Royal at some stage?" - Ah here.
Joan Armatrading - The Theatre Royal - 2015 - legend but doesn't meet the criteria.

Inclusion on 'The List' pending subject to testing versus criteria above as I'm just cutting & pasting your responses and I haven't had a chance to verify:

The Pogues - mostly in the Bridge
Def Leppard- Katie Reilly's 1986
Ray Charles Fleadh Mor Tramore 1993
Jerry Lee Lewis Fleadh Mor Tramore 1993
Johnny cash The Forum
Kris Kristoferson The forum
David Grey
The Farm - The Stonecourt Year?
The Beautiful South - The Forum - Year?
Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze played the Forum solo.
Gilbert O'Sullivan - Mt Sion - the 70's
Carl Cox - The Metroland - 1995
Mungo Jerry - The Atlantic Ballroom Tramore - Year?
Paul Weller - South - Year?
Fatboy Slim- Electric Avenue/Ten/Theatre Royal - Year?
Babyshambles
Mercury Rev
Ian Brown- South/ Electric Avenue/Ten/Theatre Royal - Years?
The Thrills - The Forum - Year?
Ocean Colour Scene - The Forum - Year?
Scissor Sisters - The Forum - Year?
Violent Femmes - South - Year?
Paul Oakenfold - South - Year?
The Fourth Dimension - Metroland - 1995
Manic street preachers - Back of The Mansion - Year?
Snow Patrol - The kings - Year?
The Waterboys
Mauro picotto
John digweed
the stranglers
James - Daytripper - Year?
Thin Lizzy played in the Regina cinema
The Housemartins, the Bridge.
Howard Jones, butlers community.
Bad Manners, the Savoy.
Queen played T. H Doolans before everyone liked them
Ash played preachers
Billy Connolly was in the theatre royal, wasn't he?
Didn't Tammy Wynette (stand by your man) play the Forum?
Marshall Jefferson (& someone else who's name I can't remember) in The Rhythm Room back in 2000/2001
Roy Orbison played the Olympia Ballroom on Parnell St back in the 60s.
Bruce Springsteen - Olympia

Any more, please add to list rather than as comments underneath. Edit, add, verify as your going along lads. Disagree with the criteria for inclusion; argue alternatives!

I was at the Ocean Colour Scene gig. That would have been 2002 or 2003.

Johnboy1951

I think Roy Orbison played the Atlantic in Tramore, around 1967 ..... he did a tour of 'showband dance halls'.
Jim Reeves also played in Ireland close to that time, but unsure where he played - was that the Atlantic also?

mooseknunkle

friendlyfun wrote: »

Queen played T. H Doolans before everyone liked them

Im calling bull**** on this one

bgr123

Jinxy Lennon