Gigs for 2025 - post your reviews here

Drink The Sea gave value for money in the Button Factory last night. 2hrs 20mins, 26 songs and €26 ticket. Enjoyable for the most part, they could have skimmmed 30 minutes off the set and i'd have still been happy. Duke Garwood's vocals have always troubled me though as he uses the same phrasing and intonation as Mark Lanegan, so in my head i've always just replaced Duke's voice with Lanegans. Peter Buck's playing was very minimal but he did provide plenty of lovely, chiming Rickenbacker sounds. Found it a better live experience than on record. For me the most succesful songs were the ones that were slow, hypnotic and sounded like the Mark Lanegan Band. We got one cover each of Mad Season, REM, QOTSA and the Desert Sessions. Must admit i was surprised at how popular the Mad Season cover was! Not a band that ever meant anything to me. In saying that nor did REM or Queens for that matter.

Only dampener on the evening was when i asked someone to stop talking i got some choice words back and was told to move. It was only then i realised how pissed the two lads were and there was to be no reasoning with one of them who appeared to take my request very personally. He went to the bar and threw some more comments my way on his return. His mate wasn't arsed. Tbf, their chat all night was about the music coming from the stage but after putting up with it for most of the gig i couldn't take any more and had to say something. Christmas eh? Lots of tense people about. Myself included!

Drink the Sea miles better live than on record. Super gig, a fave of mine this year for sure.

Sunday saw a trip to the grand social for Merchy Christmas, I've worked every weekend this has been on for the last 3/4 years so was happy to finally get in to check it out, which of course meant it was the first year the scratch weren't there.....

All levels of Irish artists were represented and giving the music slots to lesser known artists was a genius idea, captive audience with cash on the hip and looking for a new favourite artist.

Finally got to see Ispini na hEireann as god intended, stuffed in the corner of a packed pub, really good trad without some bollox with 3 day old stew in his beard telling you to hoosh up now, just what I needed

Last night saw a trip to the **** box that is opium for spike and the gimme gimmes, I hate opium, but as a recent convert to ear plugs they made it slightly better, support was all girl punk band bad cop/bad cop, who are an enjoyable listen, Spike and the gimmes played an almost identical show to last year in the academy, but if you're going to this show for variety or deep cuts I have questions about you. A big shouty sing along on a Monday night.

Kneecap in the 3arena tonight for what should be my last gig of the year.

Meryl Streek was grand in the Academy tonight. First time i've seen him with a live drummer and it makes for a more satisfying experience than him running around the stage with zero means of production on display. I'm still not entirely convinced with him but i'd watch him at a festival no bother. Tbh it was the support act, The Chisel, that was the deciding factor in me going. Debut Irish appearance and they didn't disappoint, a proper Oi/Punk set. I hope they return.

That's me done for 2025 now. I'd like to cut down on gigs next year and travel instead but i probably won't!

Anyone at Kingfisher last night? What was the sound like for it in 3Arena.

Going tonight. Can't wait.

I thought Sabaton were my last gig of the year but I went to see an Organ concert in St. Francis Church last night and the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra at Tyn Church tonight, in Prague. Both were beautiful experiences, with exceptional musicianship and superb sopranos, and honestly, these shows were the highlights of my trip.

St. Francis has a 300 year old organ, which Mozart has played, while the organ at Tyn Church is even older.

Final two gigs of the year this week. Wednesday night in Whelans saw the newly slimmed down Mik Pyro. He's looking fantastic and sounding great as always.

Last night caught Gurriers in The Button Factory. Seathrun had implored me to go see them in Woodsies at Glasto, but I just couldn't get out of bed early enough, so this was my first time seeing them - and it certainly won't be the last! Great gig.. Atmosphere was electric. Perfect way to round off a great year of gigs! Happy Christmas, everyone! Hope the New Year brings many more great gigs for you all!

Also saw Gurriers on Saturday. Brilliant gig and atmosphere. That was the last gig of 2025 for me so nice to go out on a high with a sold out gig of an Irish band.

It’s been a vintage year for live gigs.