In line with the annual, "Gigs for…" threads, where people post reviews and have general discussion about shows they see throughout the year, I'm starting this off, as we don't have one yet.
Matt Molloy, John Carty and Brian McGrath put on a mighty gig at Tig Cholis on Sunday afternoon, lovely selections of reels, jigs and hornpipes and a packed out bar, will definitely go and see them again.
Tom Dunne, Fiachna Ó Braonáin, Alan O'Connor at the Waterfront Studio in Belfast on Saturday night. A mix of stuff from Something Happens and Hothouse Flowers, some stuff that they had written together and a few covers of their favourite songs. Brilliant venue which should be used more often.
Am seeing the same trio at the end of the month in the Pavilion, Dun Laoghaire, they're doing a few gigs there also in December.
I would absolutely go see them again. They were both amazing, but I think McFly clinched it in the end. I've never seen anyone have more fun on stage than Danny Jones.
Well McFly came out and did about 12 or 13 song, then they finished, the stage came down in a kinda boxing ring surround as McFly played out their last song, and then without a break, Busted's stuff started, and rocked the place. Then 12 or 13 Busted songs later, they did a really cool part where a couple of members of each band jammed on their songs, then they all came out and did a couple, then they took turns coming on and off, and then finished off with a couple of songs together. It was a really cool concept.
Hotline TNT were good tonight in the Workmans. I was worried beforehand that they might be too melodic but they held my interest all the way through their near 55 minute set. Plenty of Husker Du, Dinosaur Jr., Sugar, Buffalo Tom vibes with a bit of Teenage Fanclub and a smidge of shoegaze too. I liked that when the lead guitarist broke a string seconds into the gig the other three lads kept a nice groove going while he restringed. Some acts wouldn't be able to handle that happening in the first song of a debut appearance somewhere. Kudos to them for that. Decent gig, glad i went after all. My mate felt exactly the same.
Baxter Duty was at his sardonic best, really enjoyed it and it seeed like he did too. His synth player/vocalist deserves her own show, she was 60% of the gig.
Initially I thought he was using backing tracks for the female vocals - took a while to register it (she) was live. With Joshua Idahen a great double bill. Funny watching the "assistant" looking after Baxter's jacket throughout the gig. Horrible night out, but glad I ventured out.
On a night of multiple gig choices in Dublin i'm sure i wasn't the only one who was wishing there was nothing on this evening. My escape from the torrential grimness was in a sold out Workmans for Momma. A second consecutive night of Americans channelling the early '90s, this time going for Liz Phair, Veruca Salt, Breeders, early Smashing Pumpkins and Pixies as their prime influences. As expected there was plenty of young folk in attendance for this one. The band seemed to be enjoying themselves and i've a feeling they'll be back. They're certainly one of the better acts playing this style. Support came from Hitmen, who ploughed the same furrow as Hotline TNT the night before. They were grand but i didn't need to hear Dinosaur Jr acolytes two nights running.
I hope the next band i see taking inspiration from this period will embrace the weirdness of David Baker-era Mercury Rev, Butthole Surfers and Sonic Youth. Or get some British acts into their music collections.
Baxter was brilliant as always.. There's something about him that's so different to anything else on offer. Really enjoying the slightly heavier sound of his new album. What a performer! Makes me smile so much every time.
Gwenno in Unitarian Church, very small crowd for an intimate performace, only knew a little about her going in from a few songs and an interview on R6 a while back and that she'd worked with MSP.
I don't think i'd ever seen a simpler setup for a gig, no lights, nothing cept piano, voice and a little amplification.
She was just an utter delight and although the lack of English in songs is a little jarring at first, you just go with it, the music is lovely and the story telling engaging. She's gone onto my list of "if they're playing, go see, don't think, go see", despite her obvious cheese fetish.
next up, BC Camplight, Wet Leg & Tune Yards (also have a Wet Leg Danial Sloss Tune Yards sandwich but that fucker better not be singing).
Good night in the 3Arena for Offspring and Simple Plan
More later
Sounds like a great night's music in the capital lads.
Baxter Drury was great last night. Brilliant performer. New album sounds great live.
Reading previous reviews from last night, Dublin really punches above its weight when it comes to live music. All on a wet Wednesday night.
Ireland punches above its weight. Not just Dublin 😉
Offspring kicked ass last night, but man, Dexter and Noodles talk some awful shite in-between certain songs. I'm talkin' 2-3 minutes of back and forth banter, it totally kills the flow, like. I'd rather they filled the show out with 2 or 3 other songs off 'Smash' instead of talking nonsense to the crowd. But apart from that. I had a great time.
Less said about the awful weather the better. Got absolutely drenched on the way in.
Belated mention of Other Voices Cardigan. Highly recommended. Cardigan's a lovely town with a nice mix of venues from proper theatres to back of a bookshop. Tickets are cheaper than the Dingle edition and it would nearly take you as long to get to Dingle from Dublin. Cardigan's about 45 mins North of Fishguard.
For the music, highlights were Sexytadgh, Khakikid, Daithí, Bruna Garcia and Curtisy.
Was really looking forward to Joshua Burnside but he cancelled.
when was that on? Hopefully a new TV series coming soon. Wish they made more episodes of it, great show.
The Offspring were amazing live – I’ve followed them since I was a lot younger and only got around to seeing them last night.
Agree with the above, some of the chatter was a bit annoying bit I really do think that was to give Dexter a rest on vocals. A few songs he struggled to hit the right key in my opinion. Feel like they’ve really autotuned his voice on recent records but that’s another conversation.
I have to say, the lead in with the “kiss cam” etc was fun, really took the pain out of waiting for them start.
How about Brandon Pertzborn on drums…amazing!
Will definitely go and see them again should they return.
This really is the busiest time of the year gig wise. You could genuinely be at something every night of the week at the moment. BC Camplight and Sprints up next week for me, Getdown Services hot on their heels.
Friends were at Offspring, one of them got his phone nicked and then discovered about 5 people in the vicinity also had their phones stolen. When they reported it to security, the guys said same thing happened at Turnstile.
They enjoyed the gig at least.
All the big screen shenanigans between the end of the warm-up and The Offspring starting was great. Made those 30-40mins fly by.
Dexter DEFINITELY sounds different nowadays. For some songs, he was able to hit the old voice, but for others he had that newer, almost nasally voice. He's pushing 60 so I'm not gonna knock him for not having the same voice he had in 1995.
And yeah, their drummer is incredible. What an incredibly talented young lad. That solo was epic. I also loved that they made a little song out of the inevitable Ole Ole Ole chants. lol
I still owe you a pint for the Patti Smith link in dec 2023.
I went to the Nu Metal extravaga I guess.
Dublin's Academy for the trio of (hed)PE,Spineshank & Drowning Pool.
Mostly went for Spineshank as I really rinsed the Height of Callousness as a young fla.
Seen (hed) before Jared seemingly always has a new flung together band, just such a character his command let's the show flow last I saw lent more on the reggae but this more fitted the bill they were on.
Spineshank was really cool to hear all those old songs from my youth it was what I came for afterall it was far from perfect but certainly worthwhile.
Had a bit of a giggle when before Beginning of the End Jonny said this was from the Freddy vs Jason soundtrack. It was gas as there was a number of fans in the building who couldn't have known what he was on about.
I didn't know the running order prior but after witnessing Drowning Pool can't say I listened much beyond Sinner and it was clear they were the seasoned professionals worthy of top billing.
It was Halloween weekend - 30 Oct - 1 Nov. They usually do a dedicated episode of the TV show covering the cardigan version.
Simple Plan sounded good but my god cringe galore at times. The scooby doo thing irritated me. Pierre is so '2000s' like someone from those Eurotrip type movies
Loved The Offspring, what a set and nice rendition of the usual 'ole ole ole (hopefully that inspired the Irish team). Felt it was a way better show than 2021 in both setlist and production wise. The crowd was bigger than expected, 'Want You Bad' was the performance of the night for me
That's the 'gigs' done for 2025, what a year. Darts in Ally Pally in December awaits
The last dinner party were phenomenal in the 3arena last night, abigail is an absolute star, she has that it factor in abundance
Been bugging me but was the 'crowd' video at the Offspring during 'Pretty Fly' AI generated ?
At The Sound House last night a couple of bands hit the spot - imBau and Joe Maxi. Joe Maxi frontman managed to turn a fairly subdued crowd into a raging mosh towards the end, just about managed to avoid the crush by pinning myself to the wall.
Good to see imBau back at it. Their bassist, Ranier Gaspar, died from an asthma attack earlier this year, he was only 20. Saw them once before and enjoyed them.
Your lads, Stratford Rise, are upstairs in Whelans tonight supporting Affection To Rent.
