Gigs for 2025 - post your reviews here

Some stuff is worth traveling for and I particularly like the ease of getting around Germany. Great country for gigs, fcuk loads of beer choices, not expensive and never had any hassle whatsoever. PLUS - absolutely no chatter from the crowd during the show - brilliant.

King Gizzard in Athens last night. They nailed it. Unsurprisingly. Up there with the other few hundred best gigs they've played.

And maybe the best venue I've ever been to.

Twas

You been?

Saturday was in Kilmainham for In The Meadows festival headlined by the great Iggy Pop. Got in around 6 and didnt really take much notice of the other stages and bands playing. 'Spirits' we're not for me and Meryl Streek we're ok from the bits I heard. The Scratch we're amazing and nice to see them adding 'Another Round' since the last time I saw them last December. Iggy Pop lived up to his name and it was pure dirty rock n roll Punk from start to finish. Getting the hits in one block was great and got the crowd going. Superb backing band. Hopefully he will return and do somewhere like the Olympia or Vicar Street

Next up Jimmy Eat World on Tuesday in the Olympia

Enjoyed Jimmy Eat World last night in the Olympia. The setlist was great and can't fault the sound. As I predicted 'Sweetness' and 'A Praise Chorus" sounded amazing. Loved 'Big Casino' and the 'The Middle' too. Can't beat a bjt of pop punk Kerrang style seeing New Found Glory in Newcastle this October and maybe Offspring & Simple Plan (ironically Offspring, Jimmy Eat World and New Found Glory all touring together in the summer)

Wished I forked out on the more expensive tickets, the middle circle (pun not intended) was some cramp and dark as a black hole. Didn't get to the merch, must have a look online

Steel Panther in the nearby Vicar Street next Weds

PIL in the Olympia were grand i suppose. Saw them a few times when they reformed, the last time at B&S (2013?), and decided i had no need to see them again. I went tonight solely due to picking up a cheap ticket. Nearly 2 hours and tbh i could easily have had 30 minutes less. Highlights for me were Poptones, Death Disco and Flowers Of Romance. The rest of it? Nothing wrong with it but it didn't excite me either. I won't be bothering again unless it's a festival appearance.

they were in the main room

Had a great time at David Bowie in BelloBar last night.

Good support from Perry Como.

Cloudbusting - Button Factory. I don't normally do tribute acts but this is my second time seeing them. Excellent set of musicians and the singer does an amazing job - so close to sounding like Kate Bush it's scary. Good visuals, great sound - super set list.

Kim Deal in Vicar St tonight was fine. 90 minute set consisting of the solo album in full followed by some oldies from across her back catalogue. I think there were 10 on stage as she, thankfully, had strings and brass with her. The new album would've sounded a bit odd without the extras. Like PIL the other night there was nothing wrong with it but it didn't excite/move/thrill me. Also like PIL i won't be bothering going to see her again unless at a festival.

Was she crying a couple of times? Looked quite emotional on occasion. Then again she was also beaming for most of it so maybe i saw things completely wrong.

Sawdoctors in Virgin Media Park, Saturday night, Damien Dempsey support.

Venue looked too big for DD. He had a hardcore fan base up the front, but I've seen him in places like Cyprus Avenue where the proximity and intimacy suit him way better.

The Saws rocked the place from start to finish, 21 songs and a 5 song encore. Endeared themselves to the locals by managing to squeeze both "After All" and "The Banks" into the finale, Hay Wrap. I've seen them numerous times across 5 decades and this was easily in the top 3 shows. Michael D himself turned up, albeit a cardboard cut-out! Venue handled entry and exit well, and the "free" Park & Ride car park meant that people got back out without too much delay.

Steel Panther last night was interesting

More on that later