2023 - Favourite Gigs of the Year

Wilco Cork, Springsteen night 2, Blur in Malahide, Boygenius, Johnny Marr at EP the standouts of the 30 odd shows I saw last year.

I'll give another plus one for Iron Maiden. Loved it. The songs from the latest album sounded great.

Another gig I really, really (and unexpectedly) enjoyed was Robbie Williams in the 3Arena. I wouldn't be a big fan, but knew most of the tunes from the radio. It was a cracking gig, and he is some entertainer.

A third choice for me would be between The Mary Wallopers and The Scratch. Can't decide between them. Had a ball at both.

1. Wilco, Cork Opera House Excellent from start to finish, sunny day and huge positive vibe from the whole crowd. Could have stayed there all night. The buzz stayed with me for ages after.
2. Billy Bragg, Cyprus Avenue Got a ticket 4 hours before gig. The encore was "Life’s a Riot with Spy vs. Spy" delivered in 17 minutes. Had the crowd eating out of his hand, while warning us about building a house on a hill before the floods.
3. Bell X1, City Hall, Cork Have seen them a million times. Something about this gig surpassed anything over the last 10 years. Fantastic visuals to backdrop a mix of old and new, that transcended any (under)expectations I had. Crowd gave it socks too.

1. Florence & The Machine, 3Arena, Dublin
2. Billy Joel & Stevie Nicks at Sofi Stadium Los Angeles, CA
3. Tori Amos, Olympia Dublin
4. Bono, Beacon Theatre, New York City
5. Springsteen x 3 nights RDS, Dublin
6. Dermot Kennedy, Marlay Park, Dublin
7. The War on Drugs, Trinity College, Dublin
8. Def Leppard/Motley Crue, Marlay Park, Dublin
9. Mike Masse, Mill Theatre, Dublin
10. Inhaler, AFAS Live, Amsterdam
11. Deacon Blue, Olympia Theatre, Dublin
12. P!NK, Madison Square Garden, New York City
13. Inhaler, 3Arena, Dublin

Only got to 2 gigs last year, but they were 2 humdingers!!

Metric in Academy January

Queens of the Stoneage

QOTSA in the point was a great gig.

Also Pulp in St Annes Park.