Gigs for 2023

I actually caught them at Brutal Assault last year unique alright but not particularly keen on them in truth.

Helmet - The Academy: Solid gig tonight from Page Hamilton and co. Aside from an occasional wanky solo and melodic moment it was pretty good. About 85 minutes worth of taut, heavy enough riffs. Not at the same level as Whores or Unsane earlier this year but glad i went all the same.

A life well lived…….

Deko from Paranoid Visions still as angry as he was 40 years ago.

His opening line?

‘Shane McGowan, what a clown!’ 😝

The Nightingales in Waterford last night, brilliant gig. Drummer - she was exceptional-

(Fliss i think) happily chatted for 20 mins with us afterwards. Yea that's a real cabbage he's holding

Phil Grimes.

Mark Geary booked for mid Jan if interested

Late gig of the year for me this Saturday night - Problem Patterns, Chalk and And So I Watch You From Afar. All present or past winners of an NI Music Prize. Strong line up.

😂😂

Paul Noonan, Lisa Hannigan and Gemma Hayes were unreal last night in the Pavilion Theatre Dun Laoghaire, highly recommend if they tour again together, lovely venue for it too

What a brilliant Blades concert. Definitely think they have the best Irish rock/pop singles ever including

Ghost of a chance

Downmarket

Revelations of Heartbreak

And they were absolutely superb live with a brilliant brass section.

+1000

Lankum in Dolans tonight, what are the timings does anyone know?

They did a couple of thin Lizzy covers in earlier gigs, they are throwing in a few random covers, hope they release them at some point. Photos look amazing!

Thumper - Button Factory: I was hoping Thumper would sign off my 2023 with a bang but it wasn't quite there. Certainly not a whimper. Better than a thud. Just not quite a bang! It had its moments but i came away slightly unfulfilled as opposed to all the other times i've seen them. In fairness, the singer had just buried his Granny earlier in the day so that's gotta be weird when playing your biggest headline show to date. Plenty of energy, a few new songs, the hits, decent lightshow and of course 'the theatrics' over the course of nearly 90 minutes. Lots of love from the sold out crowd. Had a load of the audience up on stage during the last song. Said they won't be playing for a while as they work on the second album. Overall, a good, solid gig with a couple of big standout moments. No doubt it will look amazing on the videos/pics across the socials!

My final gig of 2023. I could go to Silverbacks tomorrow/tonight but i just can't be arsed this close to Christmas.

I was amazed at how quiet town was. Hardly anyone on the streets and feck all traffic around. The last Thursday night before Christmas I thought it would be hopping. Nope, seemed more like a Monday or Tuesday night.

Enjoyable night at Thumper, The Loser and 25 are bangers, hoping the newer stuff grabs me a bit more on further listens. However I will say, somebody needs to have a word with the lead singer about drinking Guinness from a can - it just isn't done. On the other hand, it was nice to see him and the guitarist who looks like Jason Schwartzman both wearing their thermal vests, my mam and granny would both approve.