Slane 2017

D.Q

Richard Hillman wrote: »

Great gig. Terrible venue. A Reformed Guns n Roses was the only act that would get me there and will never go back again.

Incredibly mean spirited of Lord Whatever his name is and MCD to have such a once in a lifetime type concert there.

I don't really get the hate for the venue. It was no worse ran than any other outdoor gig. The sound was great and so was the view. Plenty of space to move around etc got served drink quickly except for just before guns n roses came on but that's too be expected.

It was my first time at slane, and I had heard horror stories. There was a bit of a queue on the way out. That's also to be expected.

somesoldiers

Outlaw Pete wrote: »

SLANE LAD!!

Slane Lad's lad

Wrongway1985

Quality day out, was last at Slane 10 years ago so had my reservations prior to it actually didn't buy a ticket till about 2 months ago when tickets to the "sold out" show magically appeared back on TM.

Getting into the venue from the bus park(for around time Mark Lanegan was on) was pretty much a breeze 2 mile walk or whatever was grand people all buzzin' for the days headline act.

Lanegan wasn't bad but well lost in open air, Royal Blood don't get the fuss about them being perfectly honest but for 2 lads they played their material solidly and looked more at home up there than Lanegan.

Putting this event on for years and one toilet bank in main area and 3 bar areas overall for the many there is baffling how they persist with that.

GnR were excellent had a great spot in middle of hill where view was acceptable and sound couldn't be faulted, setlist great Estranged,There was a Time and Black Hole Sun (didn't they do that justice!) are just a snapshot of the excellent set. On a minor note only due to the instrumentation did I know they were playing Double Talkin' Jive.

Had braced myself for the mare of leaving moving at classic Zombie pace took over an hour to reach the buspark. Was 5:30am before back in bed but thoroughly worth it. Knowing what to expect and getting on with it was key I think that after previously ruling out returning after this experience I would be inclined to go again given the right act.

The Nal

Richard Hillman wrote: »

Great gig. Terrible venue. A Reformed Guns n Roses was the only act that would get me there and will never go back again.

Incredibly mean spirited of Lord Whatever his name is and MCD to have such a once in a lifetime type concert there.

Its been the same since day one. Take the money, provide 1980s type facilities and when the gig is over don't pay any overtime.

Smell the glove

Joeseph Balls wrote: »

Anyone notice the sound volume go up and down? One minute it sounded like they were right beside you then the opposite?
.

That's the wind.

Itssoeasy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUEQOPb1s-k

:D

starWave

so how many people walked the 6 or 7 miles from Navan, because the shuttle buses were stuck in traffic? When we finally got there at 8, everyone was just standing at the green entrance where you couldn't even see the stage, instead of moving down the hill where there was loads of room.

hbhook

It's organised really poorly. It just is. End of. Good for the small minority who got lucky or left early but that shouldn't have to be. I didn't go because of this and I love Gn'R. I'm genuinely happy for the people who braved it and had a great time and that the band sounded great. I'll catch them when they do Dublin.

Keyzer

I've been to Slane a couple of times and, on a sunny day with a great act, its one of the best venues in the world. For the duration of the gig. Getting in and, more so, out is a nightmare and the location is simply not designed or equipped to deal with 80-90K people.

Ally Dick

Well done to the lazy cops on treble time in and around Slane village, and in Navan. Not a sign of a cop in Navan, when the whole artery to Slane was blocked at the Round O pub. Mr Keenan had his usual bands set up in the car park of the pub. But that meant that Slane minibuses were parked up on the roadside outside the pub, on the Kingscourt and Slane Roads, and there were drunk people staggering around with beer in their hands. One cretin had his car parked half on the road and on the path AND HAD HIS DRIVER'S DOOR open chatting away, blocking off cars and buses headed for Slane. The result was a huge tailback into Navan stretching out the Dublin and Kells Road. Mr Keenan should be stopped from blocking off his car park in future. Guards should have been on duty around the pub and at the Round O roundabout (which was a ghastly free for all, given the understandable frustration of drivers). Guards should have been cracking craniums and stopping mini buses from blocking the major arteries. Once the buses passed that blockage, they flew all the way into Kilberry! And oh yeah, last night at midnight, there were three cops standing on the Slane Road, at the Round O roundabout, "managing the traffic" coming from Slane. The lazy useless f@ckers were no good to anybody at that time. They were eight hours late!!!

Zico !

Organization was good I had no issues at.all .got Dublin bus to and from gig.stayed till the very end.backn in Dublin for 2.saw mark lanagan and royal blood .lanagen was far superior to that boring crap royal blood were spurting out.gnr were superb.If your.ever going.to slane from.Dublin get Dublin bus you'll have.no issues if you drive or get a minibus your fooked

s8n

who the frak is Mr. Keenan ??

AndrewJRenko

Keyzer wrote: »

I've been to Slane a couple of times and, on a sunny day with a great act, its one of the best venues in the world. For the duration of the gig. Getting in and, more so, out is a nightmare and the location is simply not designed or equipped to deal with 80-90K people.

Is there any venue in the world that is designed to deal with 80k to 90k? Even Croker is fairly manic when a full house is leaving. They avoid the car mayhem by having no parking, and letting people walk from city centre.

Zico !

MadYaker wrote: »

Glad to hear most people had a good time, apart from the usual nightmare of getting out of the place. I'm delighted to hear all the love for Royal Blood too, I thought that stage might be too big for them but I'm looking forward to seeing them at Glastonbury now.

Royal Blood were awful -no presence on stage and boring songs -thumping drums and loud guitar doesnt go to far to the trained ear

jamesbere

Zico ! wrote: »

Royal Blood were awful -no presence on stage and boring songs -thumping drums and loud guitar doesnt go to far to the trained ear

Seriously, I taught they were very good. It's two fellas, how much presence do you expect them to have

keyboard_cat

Richard Hillman wrote: »

Great gig. Terrible venue. A Reformed Guns n Roses was the only act that would get me there and will never go back again.

Incredibly mean spirited of Lord Whatever his name is and MCD to have such a once in a lifetime type concert there.

+1 we spent 2 and a half hours trying to get out of the car park and in that time we moved about 3 car lengths until they opened a different exit through some farmers sheds.
I'm not sure what was happening up ahead I would assume cars were getting stuck in the mud
20 euro per car for parking and they couldn't throw down a bit of gravel
Never again!

Zico !

jamesbere wrote: »

Seriously, I taught they were very good. It's two fellas, how much presence do you expect them to have

Thats my point-they dont belong up there their sh1t

Say Your Number

Left Sligo at 10, was in Navan after 1, was parked in the red car park before 2, wasn't too much hassle, getting out however was a completely different story, there was a car in front of me and 2 either side of me so I had no choice but to try and reverse out, I tried jutting out a little bit to make my intention know, but every time a car passed the car behind would be an inch behind it, it was impossible, was back in the car park at 11.20 and if some girl wasn't kind enough let me out at 12.50, I'd still be there now I think, eventually got home at 4.30.

I saw a load of Guards with batons running through the red car park at midnight, I'm presuming it had something to do with that big naked fella who was rolling around behind me near the bottom of the hill towards the end of the show.

Didn't see much of Otherkin, thought Lanegan was alright, although it was a bit strange how he had zero interaction with the crowd, went for food during Royal Blood, wasn't overly impressed of what I heard of them.

GNR were excellent, it's a shame Izzy or Steven weren't around, but the lads they had in place were excellent, that fella Fortus didn't miss a beat all night, great guitarist and Slash was brilliant as usual.

Loved the Wish You Were Here/Layla instrumental and Black Hole Sun was fantastic really did it justice, found myself welling up a little during it (Too soon Chris:(), You Could Be Mine, Coma and Civil War were the highlights for me and bonus points for no drum or keyboard solo, those newer songs they did weren't that bad.

The crowd was your typical big event crowd with people strolling around non stop and constant chatter, only shutting up during the hits.

I know people complain about Slane, but I would happily return to it if an act I like enough was booked to play, that 2 and a half hours they were playing last night was worth all the pain of trying to get out of there.

Zico !

Between estranged and coma for me for best songs -cringe that 3 quarters of the crowd only knew paradise city and sweet child of mine

kippy

Slane is Slane. Great venue for a gig but there are rarely enough facilities to cater for such a big crowd.
The queues in and out ain't gonna be fixed at any stage however, just something you have to accept or be prepared to camp, arrive or leave outside of peak hours.
I seriously considered going to this gig but the above as well as the fact that the support acts were absolute cack coupled with the cost involved eventually made my mind up for me.
That said the main act looked and sounded great by all accounts.

Ultimately it was a fairly expensive ticket for the experience, I'd say.
I've been to Slane a number of times round the turn of the millennium when I was less fussy but I'd reckon most of those gigs had a better overall set of artists.

jamesbere

Zico ! wrote: »

Thats my point-they dont belong up there their sh1t

We'll agree to disagree. Different tastes at the end of the day

Zico !

Whats the story with the stand in front of the castle is that for the prawn sandwich brigade or what?

jamesbere

Zico ! wrote: »

Between estranged and coma for me for best songs -cringe that 3 quarters of the crowd only knew paradise city and sweet child of mine

Was in the pit myself, the crowd were good for belting out the tunes around us. But yeah I suppose the majority just know the main songs

nikkibikki

Zico ! wrote:

Whats the story with the stand in front of the castle is that for the prawn sandwich brigade or what?

VIP section. Tickets were something like 300 bob each from (my not very good!) memory.

Ally Dick

s8n wrote: »

who the frak is Mr. Keenan ??

He owns the Round O

um7y1h83ge06nx

Zico ! wrote: »

Whats the story with the stand in front of the castle is that for the prawn sandwich brigade or what?

Saw some photos today on the Independent site showing well dressed women up there drinking cocktails from actual glasses! Lol, meanwhile myself and the lads were drinking naggins in the bus.

h3000

Zico ! wrote: »

Between estranged and coma for me for best songs -cringe that 3 quarters of the crowd only knew paradise city and sweet child of mine

Estranged was my favourite too. I arrived a bit late so I was back on the hill a bit. It took over seven hours to get from Limerick to the red carpark. Two accidents on the M7 and three hours from Navan to Slane :mad:

There were a few around us that only knew the big hits alright but there were plenty of real fans too. I'll put my hands up and say I've only ever listened to The Chinese Democracy album once. What I was shocked at was how long it took people to realise they were playing Black Hole Sun.

A few people were giving out about the sync between the video and the sound. I genuinely taught that was just the speed difference between light and sound at the time. The crowds at the back are a very long way from the stage and the main stacks.

Corcaigh84

Zico ! wrote: »

Between estranged and coma for me for best songs -cringe that 3 quarters of the crowd only knew paradise city and sweet child of mine

Yeah, I was delighted when they played Better, singing along among the usual selfie takers in the Gold Circle.

Well worth the cash for that ticket imo, less messers, apart from a charming coked up Belfast couple. Highlights included squatting for a piss in front of us, and spitting (!) in her fellas face not once, but twice, while having an argument. Good times.

Mental Mickey

Did anyone else have the (mis)fortune to bump into that absolute KNOBEND who was walking around the VIP/Accessible area all night, just generally being a pain in the a**e!???? One of the stewards(who was great craic) was well able for his bulls**t. Even his mates got sick of him, and abandoned him!!!!!!

WeleaseWoderick

Savage gig and great day in general!

Friend of mine drove and apart from maybe a 20 mins delay getting into the pink carpark and 25 mins getting out, we didn't have any issues. Slowest part of leaving was the walk to the exit of the venue.

Had plenty of space to stand in front of the speakers just at the bottom of the hill and crowd there was a bit older.

GNR put on a great show and from where we stood the sound was top notch. Personal highlights were Estranged, WTTJ, Coma and Black Hole Sun.

ShooterSF

Gotta love those festival crowds. Had some crazy woman hanging off me (never happens when you want it to!) and her, I'm assuming boyfriend/husband, was giving me daggers. Had to swap places with one of my mates at the other side of our group, after they were done ripping the pis*.

satstheway

Say Your Number wrote: »

Left Sligo at 10, was in Navan after 1, was parked in the red car park before 2, wasn't too much hassle, getting out however was a completely different story, there was a car in front of me and 2 either side of me so I had no choice but to try and reverse out, I tried jutting out a little bit to make my intention know, but every time a car passed the car behind would be an inch behind it, it was impossible, was back in the car park at 11.20 and if some girl wasn't kind enough let me out at 12.50, I'd still be there now I think, eventually got home at 4.30.

I saw a load of Guards with batons running through the red car park at midnight, I'm presuming it had something to do with that big naked fella who was rolling around behind me near the bottom of the hill towards the end of the show.

Didn't see much of Otherkin, thought Lanegan was alright, although it was a bit strange how he had zero interaction with the crowd, went for food during Royal Blood, wasn't overly impressed of what I heard of them.

GNR were excellent, it's a shame Izzy or Steven weren't around, but the lads they had in place were excellent, that fella Fortus didn't miss a beat all night, great guitarist and Slash was brilliant as usual.

Loved the Wish You Were Here/Layla instrumental and Black Hole Sun was fantastic really did it justice, found myself welling up a little during it (Too soon Chris:(), You Could Be Mine, Coma and Civil War were the highlights for me and bonus points for no drum or keyboard solo, those newer songs they did weren't that bad.

The crowd was your typical big event crowd with people strolling around non stop and constant chatter, only shutting up during the hits.

I know people complain about Slane, but I would happily return to it if an act I like enough was booked to play, that 2 and a half hours they were playing last night was worth all the pain of trying to get out of there.

We were there later and loads of guards lifted someone at the bottom of the hill, but there were so many we could not see.

satstheway

Say Your Number wrote: »

Left Sligo at 10, was in Navan after 1, was parked in the red car park before 2, wasn't too much hassle, getting out however was a completely different story, there was a car in front of me and 2 either side of me so I had no choice but to try and reverse out, I tried jutting out a little bit to make my intention know, but every time a car passed the car behind would be an inch behind it, it was impossible, was back in the car park at 11.20 and if some girl wasn't kind enough let me out at 12.50, I'd still be there now I think, eventually got home at 4.30.

I saw a load of Guards with batons running through the red car park at midnight, I'm presuming it had something to do with that big naked fella who was rolling around behind me near the bottom of the hill towards the end of the show.

Didn't see much of Otherkin, thought Lanegan was alright, although it was a bit strange how he had zero interaction with the crowd, went for food during Royal Blood, wasn't overly impressed of what I heard of them.

GNR were excellent, it's a shame Izzy or Steven weren't around, but the lads they had in place were excellent, that fella Fortus didn't miss a beat all night, great guitarist and Slash was brilliant as usual.

Loved the Wish You Were Here/Layla instrumental and Black Hole Sun was fantastic really did it justice, found myself welling up a little during it (Too soon Chris:(), You Could Be Mine, Coma and Civil War were the highlights for me and bonus points for no drum or keyboard solo, those newer songs they did weren't that bad.

The crowd was your typical big event crowd with people strolling around non stop and constant chatter, only shutting up during the hits.

I know people complain about Slane, but I would happily return to it if an act I like enough was booked to play, that 2 and a half hours they were playing last night was worth all the pain of trying to get out of there.

We were there later and loads of guards lifted someone at the bottom of the hill, but there were so many we could not see.

Ol' Donie

Itssoeasy wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUEQOPb1s-k

:D

I wouldn't go as far as to say that was the highlight of the night, but jesus it was the funniest thing ever.

rubadub

Made me remember this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qADOIxlyWec

ILikeBoats

I noticed the sheer amount of space that was down near the speakers, it was great!!

Still have a touch of the fear today. I would love to do it all again!!

q2xv9rjei4awgb

1. Why do people spend so much money to go to gigs and just film it on their phones and take selfies?

2. Why do people spend all that money on GnR tickets, go to the gig and not have a clue of any of the songs except for Sweet Child and November Rain?

Annoys me somewhat and took away from my enjoyment....
Was great to hear You Could Be Mine and Out Ta Get Me. Better was an unexpected highlight and after years of disliking it, I'm loving Coma now

Wile E. Coyote

UsedToWait wrote: »

How did our sneaky naggin / sandwich bag / Capri Sun folks get on with security checks?

A naggin? I got a 700ml through in the girlfriends bra using the sandwich bags. Wonderbra has nothing on that.

threein99

Wile E. Coyote wrote: »

A naggin? I got a 700ml through in the girlfriends bra using the sandwich bags. Wonderbra has nothing on that.

Hip flask down the jocks worked for me as usual. Even the metal detecter didn't pick it up which was a bit confusing/worrying

The Davestator

Got into Slane farm campsite with the caravan on Friday evening and there was a great atmosphere around the place.
Glad to be inside and dry until the rain stopped.
No problems getting in, but the Q's were desperate for toilets and bar and food.
Estranged was the highlight for me, but loved it all.
Thought that the crowd was excellent and friendly.
Back to the caravan for 11:30 and sleep by midnight.
Sailed out in 10 mins on Sunday morning.

Neyite

I saw an empty heinz baby pouch in the mud at one point. I raised my own pint in salute to that Boardsie.

borderlinemeath

Originally Posted by Zico !
Whats the story with the stand in front of the castle is that for the prawn sandwich brigade or what?

Saw some photos today on the Independent site showing well dressed women up there drinking cocktails from actual glasses! Lol, meanwhile myself and the lads were drinking naggins in the bus.

I was in the vip section (although why it's called that I don't know) and I can assure you it was all plastic glasses. Even the "prawn sandwich" brigade can't be trusted with real glasses and there was a definite garda presence in the enclosure, as I'm sure there was throughout the main field.

I had a nosy at those photos in the indo and if you read the name accompanying the "well dressed women" photo you'll see that that was Tamara Conyngham, daughter of Lord Henry, so I assume the glasses for her friends came out of the castle kitchen.

Lebute

As a 11 year old I couldn't go as a 6 Year Old this was the highlight of my concert going years and everything I envisaged as an 11 year old.

Arrived at campsite at 10 there was no problem getting in. Pitched the tent as the torrential rain started - sat in the tent till 2 O;Clock drinking and trying to keep the spirits up - two O'clock go all set for the gig . I wore shorts as I feel they are better than long trousers that are wet sticking to your legs. Into gig two or 3 searches on the way in no issue. No issue getting pints until about half an hour before GNR came on food was sound tried to find food with least amount of fibre as possible for obvious reasons. No problem there.
Concert - Three hours of pure rock and roll with a really great atmosphere the whole thing was a highlight for me back to tent for twelve Id say - passed out woke up in wet socks in sleeping back - out the gap at 9 Bells.
Would I do it again - in a heartbeat!!!
Slane what a place for a concert!
Guns N Roses -Slane 2017 will be forever in my Memory!!!!

twin_beacon

Viviana Ashy Flake wrote: »

2. Why do people spend all that money on GnR tickets, go to the gig and not have a clue of any of the songs except for Sweet Child and November Rain?

Because its Slane.
Its the same with any outdoor summer gig, lots of people (that would not usually go to gigs) treat it as a night out. It does get annoying when people are more interested in talking through most of the gig, then spill half their drink on people when the only song they know is played. I had to move last year on croker for the boss, big gang of women more interested in chatting and cackling than actually looking at the band. I was a round the middle of the crowd on sat, when sweet child o mine came on, the crowd was just a sea of phones!


I wonder what is the relationship like between Slash and Axl? is another album possible? Id love to see them in the 3 arena.

seachto7

The phones were a bloody curse! Enjoy the moment folks, not through your phone! But I suppose it's a memory for lots of people.

Anyone hear the "dedication" from Axl for Knockin on Heaven's Door?

Ash.J.Williams

seachto7 wrote: »

The phones were a bloody curse! Enjoy the moment folks, not through your phone! But I suppose it's a memory for lots of people.

Anyone hear the "dedication" from Axl for Knockin on Heaven's Door?

I heard him dedicate night train to lord henry and said he wasn't going to do it before knockin on heavens door, was that it???

greenspurs

Went up on Friday evening , arrived in Slane Farm at 8.30, parked the van and got set up.
Beautiful sunny evening, sitting down with a few tinnies listening to GnR soundchecking !

Woke up to the p1$$ing rain, so had the breakfast , and a siesta

Rain stopped around 5, so got the BBQ going, had some grub and tinnies.
Headed down to the gig around 6.30 - There was a "CheckPoint" on the Kells round right outside the Farm, where they took drink off everyone...... except the ones down the shorts !
Down at the Red entrance, The usual rigmaroll trying to get in with "security", why did we have to put stuff in a plastic bag and then its not even looked at while he just ppats your pockets ?????
They need more female security staff to frisk the ladies as there was a big back up of ladies, while all the men sailed through!
Inside, The Q's for the bar were really long !!! but we got our beers and started looking for a good spot. When we arrived in near the "Tree" beside the Merch stand, it looked like down the hill was jammed so we decided to head up the hill. We had space and an ok view.
The sound was very poor tho, not enough delay on the screens , so we could "see" Axl singing before we "heard" it...... And i know the wind might play a factor...
Exiting the gig was a disaster.... Red route !! It there was an emergency , there would be chaos!!

The gig was amazing though .. Estranged was sublime .... Slash ! What a guitar god.

Camping is the way to go though... (almost) stress free
Hope to be back next year for when Pearl Jam play their 25th anniversary gig !!
Get in the Ring!

seachto7

I'd only go to Slane again for Pearl Jam. Possibly Metallica for old times sake, but Pearl Jam.

greenspurs

seachto7 wrote: »

I'd only go to Slane again for Pearl Jam. Possibly Metallica for old times sake, but Pearl Jam.

Hopefully next year then !!!

ILikeBoats

greenspurs wrote: »

Hope to be back next year for when Pearl Jam play their 25th anniversary gig !!
Get in the Ring!

seachto7 wrote: »

I'd only go to Slane again for Pearl Jam. Possibly Metallica for old times sake, but Pearl Jam.

Don't be getting my hopes up now!