David Gray closing the bar!

Proper order.

People are idiots at concerts/ matches.

Two hours without a drink won’t hurt anyone.

I would never have thought that David Gray fans would be a rowdy bunch.

What next - closing the sweet counter at a Daniel O'Donnell concert?

Where does it end!?

Yeah, amazed the venue have gone for it. What's in it for them? Much as I fecking hate all the **** gig etiquette on display these days, it's a deal with the devil for artists, isn't it? You can't have it all. His gigs at Whelan's were brilliant I'm sure, wedged with real fans, brilliant atmosphere. You graduate to the big venues,it's more dosh but more clients out for a good night with a bit of David Gray on in the background. He's probably got enough cash now, no? Just play to nice people in small venues, David.

He hasn't had a hit album in decades.

I would go,.... But I can't stand the wobbly head movements.

The only way I survive a David Gray concert is with a large amount of beer.

They'll have been paid by the artist/promoter to close the bar as condition of renting the venue.

Plenty of acts have done it at the Olympia over the years.

It's a great idea because the drinking culture has gotten ridiculous at gigs in general. People spend more time at the bar queueing for booze than watching the performance

Probably because people don't go out as much as they used to and when they do it has to be some sort of "event", they don't seem to go to the pub to socialise exclusively, so then they shoehorn their socialising into a concert or whatever. Be better if they just went to the pub like before and not goto "gigs " etc unless they properly interested. I think closing everything down during covid has probably caused this phenomenon aswell

and in vicar St especially during comedy shows as that too much of an intrusion midway during a comedians sets if half a row has to get up

This is it. Especially true with the 'nostalgia' acts where the fans now have young kids etc…only getting out once in a blue moon so it has to be to an 'event' to justify the babysitter etc. Haven't seen their old buddies, or had a 'session' in months and just end up drinking too much and chatting. I enjoy a couple of pints at a gig but was ridiculous at Air in Trinity last year. Some of the crew in our own group were the worst offenders, backs to the stage having a natter or off at the bar/jacks. Had to nudge them a few times as I could barely hear some of the quieter tracks.

Yeah very true, also people's attention spans seem to be completely at odds to what they where years ago. It's almost like they have to be doing something instead of just being in the moment. I was at the Liverpool Spurs game on Sunday and everyone had their phones out taking photos, videos, selfies etc… instead of just enjoying the event. I'm older (55) so maybe harder for me to understand but i am glad i lived through a time when i could just be in that moment.

It's not the same thing, you can go to a gig and not speak to anyone but still have a couple of beers while doing so.

THIS.

Some people go to gigs now… just to post (on the auld socials) from said gig. Or to get pissed. Or both. Gimps.

I've seen David Gray a few times. And I'm going tonight in Limerick (outdoor gig, King Johns castle). He is a proper artist and he clearly wants people (like me) to enjoy his gig and not be distracted by pissed up idiots running to the bar. Rugby has gone the same way. There was a time at a Munster match in the old Thomond Park where the crowd wouldn't budge. We were there for the rugby! The Aviva nowadays is a JOKE.

Generally at a gig - I'll grab a drink before kick off and just enjoy the music (And I LOVE a drinking session). And my phone stays in my pocket. Actually - I think David Gray requested no phones at a Killarney concert I was at… And people watched and listened with their eyes and ears. Imagine that!

I was at the 3Arena gig earlier in the month so I can understand why they are closing the bar for this one.
The disruption was much worse than for the White Ladder anniversary 3Arena gig.

I'd like to see DG playing just new material somewhere like National Concert Hall, which has no phones, has a setup for intermission drinks etc
I don't think 3Arena is a good venue for that kind of thing because as something of a 'legacy' act you have too many people coming because they liked White Ladder back in the day and seem to have zero interest in new material.

Enjoy the gig, you got lucky with the weather.