concerts... best/worst/first??

seandotcomm · 04-09-2019 2:27pm

First- The Corrs - Lansdowne rd 1999

Last - The Streets at EP Sunday night

Best - Kate Bush in London 2014 or Rage Against The Machine - Coachella 2007

Worst - the bad ones dont really stick in my mind but recently... Bon Jovi this summer in the RDS - his voice is shot unfortunately

Next - Aurora in the Olympia in November

Always Tired · 04-09-2019 2:36pm

Best was my first one. Lollapalooza in Philly/NJ 1994. Main Stage: The Smashing Pumpkins, Beastie Boys, George Clinton & the P-Funk All Stars, The Breeders, A Tribe Called Quest, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, L7

Side Stage: The Flaming Lips, The Verve, Guided by Voices, Souls of Mischief, Pharcyde

Loads of other bands too but don't remember them all.

Courtney Love came out in the middle of Pumpkins set drunk and talked about Kurt who had just died and Nirvana was meant to headline. Lot of people crying.

besides that the highlight was a girl in our group lost a shoe in the pit at the side stage and it was getting tossed from one side of the massive crowd to the other. we had one hard skinhead (anti racist) friend who managed to hunt it down and get it back for her which had truly seemed like mission impossible.

I was only 14, had been at a house party all night the night before. still don't understand or remember how I got the money for a ticket or how I convinced my mother to let me go as I hadn't even been home all night but whatever. That experience will never be beat. Having older friends that were a bad influence was awesome.

Duane Dibbley · 04-09-2019 2:44pm

First - Michael Jackson - Dangerous World Tour 1992

Best - Jamiroquai - Dusseldorf 2005

Worst - Coldplay - I was a Coldplay fan and it was the 3rd time I saw them live which end up them singing more covers of other musicians then there own material

Strangest - Got 3 access all areas passes for Iron Maiden by the roadies in exchange for a cardboard cutout of a Kangaroo

seandotcomm · 04-09-2019 9:01pm

Duane Dibbley wrote: »

First - Michael Jackson - Dangerous World Tour 1992

Best - Jamiroquai - Dusseldorf 2005

Worst - Coldplay - I was a Coldplay fan and it was the 3rd time I saw them live which end up them singing more covers of other musicians then there own material

Strangest - Got 3 access all areas passes for Iron Maiden by the roadies in exchange for a cardboard cutout of a Kangaroo

That Jamiroquai tour was unbelievable

AndrewJRenko · 08-09-2019 9:56pm

First: Meat Loaf at Dalymount Park, the day before my Leaving Cert Irish exam. I got up at 7am to be in town at 8am on the day the tickets went on sale to make sure I was sorted. They didn't sell out. Tenpole Tudor were also on the bill. A friend backstage told me Meat need an oxygen tank between songs to keep going. Loved Tokyo Olympics too, maybe they'll have a revival next year?

Last: Billy Bragg at Whelans, very intimate after seeing him at Vicar St a few times and most recently at St Patricks Cathedral

Best: Very, very hard to pick out one - but maybe the two Springsteen gigs in 2012 when I managed to swing pit passes for the two nights back to back. Fabulous showman who really, really seems to enjoy what he does.

Hotblack Desiato · 08-09-2019 11:49pm

1982?

NewbridgeIR · 09-09-2019 12:06am

Hotblack Desiato wrote: »

1982?

Yes

I remember my neighbours going to it.

IrishAlice · 11-09-2019 11:53am

First: Greenday at the Point Theatre in 2000

Best: Eddie Vedder in 3 arena. I could listen to that man all day!

Worst: Badly Drawn Boy in the Music Factory in Carlow when he tried to throw his piano stool at the crowd.

w/s/p/c/ · 11-09-2019 11:58am

Best: Seeing Coldplay in Wembley in 2016 (gig in Croker too was brilliant). They get some flack but put on a great show.

Worst: Was roped into going to see Passenger in Vicar St last year by the missus as it was a part of a night out with some friends. Spent most of the gig in the bar, not my cup of tea.

First: Oasis in the Point, 5th December 1997 (will always remember the date) on the Be Here Now Tour. Disappointing that Liam didn't perform (bar coming out on stage at the end). Was 15 years old and couldn't believe that I was seeing them live, was (and still am) a massive fan.

Stillill42 · 11-09-2019 12:29pm

First: Chris de Burgh, RDS, 1983? No judgement. This is a safe place.

Best: Very difficult. Maybe Sigur Ros, Olympia, around 2005ish? Or David Byrne and Annie Clark at EP?

Worst: Poor old Cat Power in Whelan's 2003. What a car crash that was.

Ash.J.Williams · 11-09-2019 12:40pm

Sugarlumps wrote: »

First: The Cult yonks ago in The Point which was the Sonic Temple album. Electric was the first album I ever bought and it still rocks.

Best: NIN...the energy in there playing, sound & tightness is at another level, and I’ve seen lots.

Worst: Soundgarden in the RDS I think? Pretty sure it was there last date of their European or World tour, I could be mistaken which would make it worse still. They were probably knackered but I couldn’t give a f*ck as they were lifeless as a droopy c*ck. Matt Cameron was excellent full and of energy as usual but the rest sucked ass juice. Shepherd gave the fingers several times to the crowd, a mannequin would have more moves than Kim Thayil and Cornell’s voice was shot.

Soundgarden were always hit or miss live back in the day

Ash.J.Williams · 11-09-2019 12:46pm

Redhighking wrote: »

First- Iron Maiden, RDS, 2005

Last - Killing Joke, The Academy, 2019

Best - Matt & Kim, Button Factory, 2016

Next - Foo Fighters, RDS, Today

that killing joke gig was amazing

Ash.J.Williams · 11-09-2019 12:47pm

colster wrote: »

First: Slane 1993 (Neil Young, Pearl Jam).

Best: Smashing Pumpkins SFX 1995 or Blur Olympia Theatre 2003

Worst: Smashing Pumpkins The Point 1996 for obvious reasons though Kings of Leon/Pixies Landsdowne Road 2005 is close.

yeah the pixies went out of their way to be **** that night

Ash.J.Williams · 11-09-2019 12:49pm

Lotus Flower wrote: »

Totally disagree with the last sentence, Paz is also excellent

paz is excellent but Kim is kim

LastLagoon · 11-09-2019 1:10pm

1st-REM landsdowne road in the 90s-main memory is getting caught up in a crush-1 of our party fell down during it and had a right fright-crowd control was basic as fk back then

Best- war on drugs-any time I’ve seen them

Worst-festival gigs-too much ****ty sound and sound bleed and messy fkers who can’t handle their drugs/alcohol

partyguinness · 11-09-2019 1:17pm

First a Christy Moore gig in 1996 with a buddy who was into him. I was not pushed.

Last: Metallica @ Slane this year

Best: I had some mad nights at the Wolf Tones in the mid 90s. Oxygen 04 was good- even though ****e weather and David Bowie cancelled.

KISS 2017 were hilarious and raced thro their set.

Leonard Cohen in 2008 in Kilmainham. Even my g/f (now wife) cried and she knew nothing about him. The late Gerry Ryan was sitting in front of us- we were right near the front.

Worst: Can't really think any bad ones as such. A few could have been better but that was more my fault.

Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow basically played more Deed Purple covers than Rainbow which was disappointing and he ****ed up the intro to Smoke on Water

Still pissed off about Prince cancelling in 2008. I had two tickets.

ofthelord · 11-09-2019 9:07pm

First: Not 100% sure what the first gig I went to is, I think it was Ash in '96 when they were playing 1977. Still love that album.

Worst: Very hard to chose a worst gig - can't remember many that I didn't enjoy. I remember going to see The XX with a friend who loved them during Primavera 2010. i'd not listened to their stuff beforehand and did not enjoy it one bit. Found them very boring. Love their stuff now, but couldn't wait for them to finish at the time.

Best: Shellac the frst time I saw them in the Temple Bar Music Centre - think it was '97 or '98. Excellent gig. I've seen them a few more times over the years, last time was at Roisin Dubhs in Galway 2017 - still brilliant.
2nd best would have to be either Wilco in Brixton Academy in 2016, or And So I Watch You From Afar in 2011 - think it was in either Galway or Dublin.

scruff monkey · 11-09-2019 10:20pm

Stillill42 wrote: »

First: Chris de Burgh, RDS, 1983? No judgement.
This is a safe place.

That may have been the same one me ma took me to.

i am disappoint, to think that i'd bought my first proper album that year too, ZZ Top's Eliminator (god bless mt usa)

AndrewJRenko · 11-09-2019 10:33pm

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

First: Meat Loaf at Dalymount Park, the day before my Leaving Cert Irish exam. I got up at 7am to be in town at 8am on the day the tickets went on sale to make sure I was sorted. They didn't sell out. Tenpole Tudor were also on the bill. A friend backstage told me Meat need an oxygen tank between songs to keep going. Loved Tokyo Olympics too, maybe they'll have a revival next year?

Last: Billy Bragg at Whelans, very intimate after seeing him at Vicar St a few times and most recently at St Patricks Cathedral

Best: Very, very hard to pick out one - but maybe the two Springsteen gigs in 2012 when I managed to swing pit passes for the two nights back to back. Fabulous showman who really, really seems to enjoy what he does.

I forgot to do Worst:

Has to be Roger Waters in June 2002 in the Point. I got dragged along with a friend. Everyone else in the entire place knew every word of every song, and I wasn't really a fan of Floyd or his own stuff - just felt right out of place.

Anyway, they started putting down their gear a bit before ten, and I thought 'sure that's grand now, a couple of tracks for the encore and we'll be out about 10.15pm'. The bould Roger came to the mic and said 'Thanks very much. I hope you enjoyed the first half and we'll be back soon for the second half.'.

Keyzer · 12-09-2019 9:47am

Best - Sigur Ros (almost a spiritual experience) follows closely by Jonathan Wilson in Whelans

Worst - Neil Young and Crazy Horse in the RDS (awful show, kept playing really long crap guitar solos, left after 40 mins)

First - Wet,Wet,Wet (Went with my big sister, she was babysitting me and I had no choice)

Wrongway1985 · 12-09-2019 1:49pm

Best - Rammstein in the 3.O2 phenomenal in terms of festivals Parkway Drive at Wacken just gone was top drawer, incredible!

Worst - Gonna say Alkaline Trio in the Academy atrocious Skiba was off his bean and played a ton off the crap album they were touring at the time felt sorry for the rest of the band members who looked awkward.

First - Metallica supported by Slipknot at the RDS 2004

Last - Foo Fighters RDS

Next - Alice Cooper supported by Black Stone Cherry

Plasandrunt · 12-09-2019 2:15pm

First : Kanye West The Point 2004 before he became Billy Big time.

Best: Underworld at EP 2011, Absolutely incredible.

Last: Sunday at Body & Soul this year, lasted about an hour with the weather

Soulsun · 18-09-2019 6:31am

First: Blur
Best: u2 pop mart tour lansdown road
Last: Damien Dempsey
Next: Christy Moore

Crank Stain · 18-09-2019 2:18pm

First: Saxon at the SFX in 1983.

Best: (1) Green on Red at Midnight at the Olympia in 1992, I never thought I’d see them play Ireland and it was a great gig for the 100 or so fans, the rest of the attendees were only there for the late bar. (2) The Jesus Lizard at the Mean Fiddler in 1998, I spent part of the gig with David Yow on my shoulders, he had his pants on.

Worst: (1) David Gray at the Point in 1999 White Ladder was overplayed everywhere at that stage and I’d had enough of it, spent the night in the bar. (2) Neil Young at the O2 in 2009, I saw him at the RDS in 1988 and he was brilliant, by 2009 every song had a 20 minute 1 note guitar solo and ended with a 5 minute last note.

Bucketlist: I’m crossing Sleep off my list in Manchester in October, and hope to see Half Man Half Biscuit and Colour Haze at some point in the future.

chrislad · 26-10-2019 5:54pm

First: Cranberries and Counting Crows in Killarney a few years back

Best: Bruce Springsteen in Limerick

Worst: Lifehouse because I was sick as a dog and wanted it to just be over. From an actual enjoyment point of view, Lady Gaga at the height of her little monsters phase. Just didn’t like her and got dragged to it.

skinny90 · 29-10-2019 12:22pm

First: Chili Peppers 2007

Best: Very difficult. Maybe Tash Sultana in Amsterdam this year was something out of this world

Worst: Kings of Leon 2009 oxegen. They had a fight the night before. They were shocking

Acosta · 30-10-2019 12:43am

skinny90 wrote: »

Worst: Kings of Leon 2009 oxegen. They had a fight the night before. They were shocking

You should have gone to NIN who were on at the same time on the second stage. Probably the best gig I was ever at in Ireland

First: U2, Oakland 1997

Best: Trail Of Dead, Reading 2002 or British Sea Power, York 2017

Worst: ....Not sure. Possibly a very pissed The Breeders, also at Reading 2002

BuffaloTengo · 31-10-2019 2:20pm

First: Simple Minds in RDS in 89

Best: a few to pick out: The Wedding Present supported by Buffalo Tom in the SFX in 1991, two of my favourite bands on the same stage.
Neil Young acoustic at Vicar Street on the Greendale tour
Ryan Adams in The Shelter on his Heartbreaker tour
Wilco in Whelans in 1997
Beachwood Sparks in Mono supported by Neal Casal (RIP)

Worst: I would say My Bloody Valentine in SFX as it was the loudest gig I have ever been to, almost could not make out which song was which, it was just a wall of noise. Still though, was an experience.

Wheeker · 31-10-2019 3:03pm

So many to choose from, but here goes:

First:

The Long Ryders- Mandela Hall, Queens SU, Belfast 1985. Great high-energy punk-country-rock.

Best:

Fugazi- Mayfair, Glasgow 1989 (Intense!)
REM- The Playhouse, Edinburgh 1989 (seemed like such a "moment-in-time", met the band beforehand also!)
Dinosaur Jr- The Barrowlands, Glasgow 1991 (one of my all-time fav bands, fantastic gig in a great venue)

Worst:

Kings of Leon- Simmonscourt, RDS, Dublin 2007
Smashing Pumpkins- Kings Hall, Belfast 2008 (Probably didn't help that I had to stand at the back for both of these as my missus was pregnant, but both awful venues, sound wasn't great & both bands past their best)

Next:

Deerhunter- Whelans, Dublin

MfMan · 31-10-2019 3:08pm

First; U2 in Croker, back '87 I think. They were touring Joshua Tree and they were superb. Great support line-up too.

Worst; Bob Dylan in Pearse stadium c. 15 years ago. Not his hugest fan, but he played mostly songs I didn't know and made no effort whatsoever to interact with the crowd. Wouldn't go to see him now if he was playing for free across the road. Dishonourable mention to Arcade Fire in Malahide couple of years ago. Good musicians but scarcely played for little more than an hour and buggered off to play a private session somewhere in the city.

Best; have to go with Leonard Cohen on one of his Lissadell concerts c. 9 years (?) ago. Played for nearly 3 hours, totally conversed with and respected his audience, played most of his best known songs, musicianship and backing vocalists superb (Webb sisters - It If Be Your Will a highlight). A WB Yeats devotee, Cohen was clearly inspired by his surroundings.

NewbridgeIR · 31-10-2019 11:46pm

BuffaloTengo wrote: »

Best: a few to pick out: The Wedding Present supported by Buffalo Tom in the SFX in 1991, two of my favourite bands on the same stage.
.

That was a class gig. Crazy moshing for Buffalo Tom especially Birdbrain. Weddoes were great; Seamonster came out a few days later. Dalliance was epic.

BuffaloTengo wrote: »

Worst: I would say My Bloody Valentine in SFX as it was the loudest gig I have ever been to, almost could not make out which song was which, it was just a wall of noise. Still though, was an experience.

Did you avail of the ear plugs on the way in? They made some difference.

alb · 02-11-2019 1:16am

MfMan wrote: »

Worst; Bob Dylan in Pearse stadium c. 15 years ago. Not his hugest fan, but he played mostly songs I didn't know and made no effort whatsoever to interact with the crowd.

Hope you were at least there earlier to catch Gary Moore, was worth going for him.

Strumms · 02-11-2019 10:29pm

First - Pulp, The Point Theatre summer ‘97. One if not the only time I was at a gig in the old Point where the sound was very good. The Atmosphere was electric, Pulp were on the crest of a wave just finishing off touring Different Class. They were so tight, even throwing in a couple of b-sides they rarely ever played before or since.

Worst - Oasis, Landsdowne 2000. Absolute shît, they were that bad, visibly hungover and disinterested that refunds should have been compulsory. Saw them three years later in Paris touring Heathen Chemistry a pretty average to good album and they were excellent.

Best - Wilco, Vicar St ‘09 by a country mile the best live show, perfect sound, a really tight, enthusiastic and up for it band enjoying and loving every minute of being on that stage for over two hours. Never been anything less then spectacular.

delbertgrady · 02-11-2019 10:50pm

Strumms wrote: »

Best - Wilco, Vicar St ‘09 by a country mile the best live show, perfect sound, a really tight, enthusiastic and up for it band enjoying and loving every minute of being on that stage for over two hours.

I've still got the setlists from both of those shows.

Strumms · 02-11-2019 10:56pm

delbertgrady wrote: »

I've still got the setlists from both of those shows.

I have one too buried somewhere ... a band I really need to see again, been a while... really. Iveagh Gardens was very good too but for me that Venue, that band, quite a combo.

Weepsie · 02-11-2019 11:36pm

Strumms wrote: »

Best - Wilco, Vicar St ‘09 by a country mile the best live show, perfect sound, a really tight, enthusiastic and up for it band enjoying and loving every minute of being on that stage for over two hours. Never been anything less then spectacular.

I was out of the country for this having finally seen them in 07 and having been very impressed.

His "Tweedy" gig in the London Palladium in 2014 was brilliant. If Jeff's involved, I'm on board.

delbertgrady · 03-11-2019 12:05am

The Olympia show in 1999 when Jeff threw his guitar into the audience at the end of the set was awesome.

(A roadie retrieved it for the encore).

Strumms · 03-11-2019 12:46am

Weepsie wrote: »

I was out of the country for this having finally seen them in 07 and having been very impressed.

His "Tweedy" gig in the London Palladium in 2014 was brilliant. If Jeff's involved, I'm on board.

I was at that Palladium show too and loved it. Managed to make good what was rather a stodgy venue.

The Nal · 03-11-2019 1:31pm

Both of those Wilco 09 shows were incredible.

Night 2 in particular

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/wilco/2009/vicar-street-dublin-ireland-6bd18a1a.html

Ash.J.Williams · 03-11-2019 1:43pm

NewbridgeIR wrote: »

That was a class gig. Crazy moshing for Buffalo Tom especially Birdbrain. Weddoes were great; Seamonster came out a few days later. Dalliance was epic.

Did you avail of the ear plugs on the way in? They made some difference.

saw them a few years back in Manchester and ended up taking the plugs out, the holocaust section was mental, it was like standing in front of a 747 engine, my clothes were shaking like I was in a big wind!!! but as Kevin says himself that's all well and good for the few people that enjoy it!! the rest are gone home!!

Ash.J.Williams · 03-11-2019 1:47pm

Stillill42 wrote: »

First: Chris de Burgh, RDS, 1983? No judgement. This is a safe place.

Best: Very difficult. Maybe Sigur Ros, Olympia, around 2005ish? Or David Byrne and Annie Clark at EP?

Worst: Poor old Cat Power in Whelan's 2003. What a car crash that was.

I grew up with a lot of pre-lady in red de burg in my house and loved his stuff as a kid and would imagine he was awesome in 83??? as I then went on to a passions for all things metal I look back and think deburgs themes were not that different!!

The Royal Scam · 03-11-2019 3:19pm

First : Inspiral Carpets in McGonagles in 1990. We broke the floor supposedly. Had just started playing guitar and spent a lot of time beside the roadie watching him. Tyrns out it was Noel Gallagher.

Best : Prince in Malahide Castle. Right up the front, amazing in every way.

Worst : Divine Comedy in about 1998 near Whelans. Brutal sound brutal setlist.

Corruptedmorals · 03-11-2019 3:35pm

First: Iron Maiden/Marilyn Manson 2003 RDS
Best: Rammstein 3 arena 2013. Unbelievable experience.
Worst: No outright terrible ones but I've been to some Academy gigs where they haven't got the sound right at all.
Next: Slipknot and Rammstein

NewbridgeIR · 04-11-2019 12:18am

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

saw them a few years back in Manchester and ended up taking the plugs out, the holocaust section was mental, it was like standing in front of a 747 engine, my clothes were shaking like I was in a big wind!!! but as Kevin says himself that's all well and good for the few people that enjoy it!! the rest are gone home!!

Manchester Apollo, June 2008 - absolutely classic gig. Saw The Fall in the Academy the night before (one of many), what a weekend.

Strumms · 04-11-2019 1:13am

The Nal wrote: »

Both of those Wilco 09 shows were incredible.

Night 2 in particular

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/wilco/2009/vicar-street-dublin-ireland-6bd18a1a.html

That’s an absolutely incredible setlist both the length of it and the songs...must be about a two and a half hour show they played looking back.

o1s1n · 04-11-2019 1:11pm

Best: Rush 2011 or Coil in 2004
First: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant 1995
Worst: THAT Gun n'Roses gig in 2010 - still raging!

hots · 04-11-2019 1:39pm

First: Kasabian & Faithless in Marley Park 2006. Was too young to be 'allowed' in but felt like the cheese when I did without hassle and even got served 2 pints of Bud

Best: Probably Foals in London 2017 or Olympia 2014 (supported by cage the elephant too). Honorable mention for being in the front row for the Verve in Oxegen, Bittersweet Sympony was pretty incredible to see live. Eagles of Death Metal in the Olympia 2015 was great, even sitting up in the gods.

Worst: Queens of the Stone Age 2017 was piss poor, crowd, sound, performance were all miserable (pretty sure it was only a couple of gigs later he kicked the photographer). Arctic Monkeys in the 3arena last year were poor too, sound again but the most recent album wasn't for me and just got in the way of everything I wanted to hear.

Ash.J.Williams · 04-11-2019 1:49pm

hots wrote: »

First: Kasabian & Faithless in Marley Park 2006. Was too young to be 'allowed' in but felt like the cheese when I did without hassle and even got served 2 pints of Bud

Best: Probably Foals in London 2017 or Olympia 2014 (supported by cage the elephant too). Honorable mention for being in the front row for the Verve in Oxegen, Bittersweet Sympony was pretty incredible to see live. Eagles of Death Metal in the Olympia 2015 was great, even sitting up in the gods.

Worst: Queens of the Stone Age 2017 was piss poor, crowd, sound, performance were all miserable (pretty sure it was only a couple of gigs later he kicked the photographer). Arctic Monkeys in the 3arena last year were poor too, sound again but the most recent album wasn't for me and just got in the way of everything I wanted to hear.

can you remember what the support acts sounded like for QOTSA and Artic monkees?

I think the lower volume in the 3 arena us perfect, but when they crank it for the headliners there's an issue.

i asked an engineer and he said it's only standing gigs, and it's due to the space under the balcony out to the back.

hots · 04-11-2019 1:51pm

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

can you remember what the support acts sounded like for QOTSA and Artic monkees?

I think the lower volume in the 3 arena us perfect, but when they crank it for the headliners there's an issue.

hmm I don't really.... I was there on Saturday for Gerry Cinammon and it was the opposite weirdly, sound for the opening guy was brutal for vocals, then the coral just sounded as though the volume was just far too high all across the board, and then Gerry sounded excellent.

Ash.J.Williams · 04-11-2019 1:51pm

hots wrote: »

hmm I don't really.... I was there on Saturday for Gerry Cinammon and it was the opposite weirdly, sound for the opening guy was brutal for vocals, then the coral just sounded as though the volume was just far too high all across the board, and then Gerry sounded excellent.

was it standing or sitting gig?

concerts... best/worst/first??

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