Gigs of your life (1 Viewer)

[bogmanfan]

Inspired by @nuke terrorist post in the What gig did you go to last night? thread. Be interesting to see responses

FIRST GIG:
Sunstroke 93. Sonic Youth, Sugar, Faith No More. Great start to my live music journey.

LAST GIG:
Max Richter in NCH.

BEST GIG:
Boredoms in the Village, 2008.

WORST GIG:
Never had a truly traumatically bad gig, but a mate got free tickets to some band called The Concretes in TBMC years ago. They were shit.

LOUDEST GIG:
Probably Animal Collective at Tripod for the ridiculous bass. Ruined the gig.

SEEN THE MOST:
Probably Broken Social Scene or The Go! Team.

MOST SURPRISING:
Lana Del Ray at Vicar St. My missus is a fan and got tickets. I didn't really know her stuff at all, but she was fantastic.

MOST DISAPPOINTING:
Mum at Vicar St around 2005. They had started the 'pixie' vocals thing. It was terrible.

HAPPY I GOT TO SEE:
James Brown at Vicar St. Amazing show.

SORRY TO HAVE MISSED:
Rachel's. They had a show booked at TBMC in 2000 I think, but their flight over was cancelled and it was never rescheduled.

 

[JohnnyRaz]

FIRST GIG:
therapy, 1994 or 5

LAST GIG:
last 'proper' international band - snapped ankles, workmans last may/june. seen local bands between

BEST GIG:
toss up between PJ Harvey 1998 (Olympia), Jesus Lizard 2009 (button factory), and Nick Cave 2008 (dublin castle) (sorry @ernesto)

WORST GIG:
The only time I saw Belle and sebastian (sorry @rettucs ) , and about 50% of the times I saw arab strap.

LOUDEST GIG:
a local band - but ESTEL in whats now wigwam. My ears rang for days afterwards.

SEEN THE MOST:
Arab Strap.

MOST SURPRISING:
Pulp, in a field in galway late 90s.

MOST DISAPPOINTING:
25% of the times I saw arab strap. and GSYBE in the ambasador

HAPPY I GOT TO SEE:
many of the folk weirdos deserted village used to bring over

SORRY TO HAVE MISSED:
I had the offer of a ticket for EP in 2005, but didn't bother for some strange reason

 

[dudley]

FIRST GIG:
Queen @ Slane, 1985

LAST GIG:
Gruff Rhys/Bill Ryder-Jones

BEST GIG:
Drive Like Jehu @ Lido, Berlin

WORST GIG:
Band called the Golden Showers @ The Bowery Ballroom in NYC, 1999. Singer stripped out of a catsuit to a body covered in masking tape and a jockstrap. Proceeded to drop lit cigarettes into his crotch. Some Japanese girl fans gave him an LP to sign, he proceeded to shove a corner of it up his hole.

LOUDEST GIG:
I think, bizarrely, the piano music on the PA after Television played Vicar St. Was painful.

SEEN THE MOST:
Pinback

MOST SURPRISING:
Gruff Rhys a couple of years back. Have become a late convert to his records, but didn't expect his show to be so utterly joyous.

MOST DISAPPOINTING:
Does comedy count? Dylan Moran a couple of years ago at Vicar St was one of the most terribly depressing things I've ever seen.

HAPPY I GOT TO SEE:
Drive Like Jehu. Was a dream come true.

SORRY TO HAVE MISSED:
The last Low show in Dublin, before Mimi died. Had a ticket, but for reasons I don't remember, couldn't make it. Will always regret that.

 

[Anthony]

Think we've all seen these things before but sure..

FIRST GIG:
Dalymount '83.Black Sabbath, Motorhead, Twisted Sister, Anvil, Mama's Boys

LAST GIG:
Baronness in the Academy

BEST GIG:
AC/DC with KIng's X. 1991

WORST GIG:
Mercury Rev in the Olympia. Left early.

LOUDEST GIG:
Motorhead (see above)

SEEN THE MOST:
I think it's Marillion

MOST SURPRISING:
Pantera, support Megadeth. Surprising because I didn't expect them to be THAT good.

MOST DISAPPOINTING:
Sloan in Toronto. They were playing a weird show where they just played their first EP along with a load of other bands from the same time. It wasn't a proper gig, plus the venue and audience were shit.

HAPPY I GOT TO SEE:
Def Leppard with Steve Clarke, Metallica with Cliff Burton. Marillion with Fish (not dead).

SORRY TO HAVE MISSED:
Jonathan Richman's gig in Limerick where he played with no PA to people sitting on the floor. Sounded like it was amazing.

 

[dudley]

Oh, I remember seeing Jad Fair and Kramer play in Vicar St. to *two* tables, ours and one other. It wasn't the worst gig because they were bad, but because it was soooo awkward. And they asked if either table could put them up for the night...

 

[Cormcolash]

WORST GIG:
Band called the Golden Showers @ The Bowery Ballroom in NYC, 1999. Singer stripped out of a catsuit to a body covered in masking tape and a jockstrap. Proceeded to drop lit cigarettes into his crotch. Some Japanese girl fans gave him an LP to sign, he proceeded to shove a corner of it up his hole.

SOUNDS LIKE BEST GIG TO ME

 

[therealjohnny]

Oh, I remember seeing Jad Fair and Kramer play in Vicar St. to *two* tables, ours and one other. It wasn't the worst gig because they were bad, but because it was soooo awkward. And they asked if either table could put them up for the night...

oh dear me

 

[rettucs]

FIRST GIG:
Queen @ Slane, 1985

my first gig too. Pretty sure it was 1986. I think Springsteen was 1985.

 

[Kermit McDermott]

I'll have a go at this, but I have a terrible memory for gigs.

FIRST GIG:
Metallica, in the top hat in October 1988

LAST GIG:
Deerhunter in Whelans, November 2019 (it's been a while)

BEST GIG:
David Bowie, the Olympia 1997.

WORST GIG:
Probably spiritualized in the red box, 1997 or 98. Just a wall of noise & he can't sing live.

LOUDEST GIG:
I'm not sure. I remember my ears used to be ringing for a few days after gigs in the 90s.

SEEN THE MOST:


MOST SURPRISING:
Grant lee buffalo in the Olympia....1996. I knew they had the songs, but didn't expect them to rock the place. They were great.

MOST DISAPPOINTING:
Probably the pixies when they reformed in 2005, or 06. Mr. Francis was just phoning it in. Going through the motions.


HAPPY I GOT TO SEE:
David Bowie in the Olympia in 1997.

SORRY TO HAVE MISSED:
I dunno. I'm not that bothered about missing gigs anymore.

 

[rettucs]

FIRST GIG:
Queen, Slane 1986

LAST GIG:
Some christmas thing with 2 Latvian kids doing traditional Latvian christmas music. It was nice.

BEST GIG:
Toss-up between Silver Jews in Whelans and Stars of the Lid, also in Whelans

WORST GIG:
Tily on the fucking Wall fucking shite

LOUDEST GIG:
My Bloody Valentine the first time they played EP

SEEN THE MOST:
Christy Moore or Divine Comedy

MOST SURPRISING:
The first Tuneyards gig in Whelans.

MOST DISAPPOINTING:
Brian Wilson, EP.


HAPPY I GOT TO SEE:
Someone who died. Maybe Jay Reatard or Sparklehorse.

SORRY TO HAVE MISSED:
the Beach House/Fleet Foxes double-bill in Whelans. Clashed with Leonard Cohen.

 

[egg_]

Does comedy count? Dylan Moran a couple of years ago at Vicar St was one of the most terribly depressing things I've ever seen

Saw him in 2024 in Drogheda, and same. I felt like grabbing him and shaking him while shouting "YOU'RE BETTER THAN THIS"

 

[Denny Oubidoux]

WORST GIG:
Probably spiritualized in the red box, 1997 or 98. Just a wall of noise & he can't sing live.

I was at that too, terrible band

 

[Denny Oubidoux]

FIRST GIG:
Suzanne Vega, National Stadium, 1990

LAST GIG:
Carl Stone, Bellow Bar, November 2024

BEST GIG:
Hmmm tough question, contenders include: Roy Harper, Iris Dement, Current 93, AMM, Crowded House

WORST GIG:
So many shite gigs, the most recent one that comes to mind was Nick Mulvey in vicar street last year

LOUDEST GIG:
Technically it was probably Hijokaidan in Glasgow, the ones that I felt most badly shredded my ears were Fushitsusha in Newcastle upon Tyne and Sonic Youth in Vicar St.

SEEN THE MOST:
Roy Harper

MOST SURPRISING:
Van Dyke Parks in the TBMC, didn't know much about him going in and it was great

MOST DISAPPOINTING:
Pink Floyd, London 1994. Took me a while to admit it to myself but it was boring.

HAPPY I GOT TO SEE:
Jandek's first (known) gig in Glasgow for the occasion of it, his duo gig in Glasgow with Loren Connors because it was amazing

SORRY TO HAVE MISSED:
3 Roy Harper gigs in Clonakilty in 2005. They fucking sold out

 

[shidheat]

FIRST GIG:
Suzanne Vega, National Stadium, 1990

LAST GIG:
Carl Stone, Bellow Bar, November 2024

BEST GIG:
Hmmm tough question, contenders include: Roy Harper, Iris Dement, Current 93, AMM, Crowded House

WORST GIG:
So many shite gigs, the most recent one that comes to mind was Nick Mulvey in vicar street last year

LOUDEST GIG:
Technically it was probably Hijokaidan in Glasgow, the ones that I felt most badly shredded my ears were Fushitsusha in Newcastle upon Tyne and Sonic Youth in Vicar St.

SEEN THE MOST:
Roy Harper

MOST SURPRISING:
Van Dyke Parks in the TBMC, didn't know much about him going in and it was great

MOST DISAPPOINTING:
Pink Floyd, London 1994. Took me a while to admit it to myself but it was boring.

HAPPY I GOT TO SEE:
Jandek's first (known) gig in Glasgow for the occasion of it, his duo gig in Glasgow with Loren Connors because it was amazing

SORRY TO HAVE MISSED:
3 Roy Harper gigs in Clonakilty in 2005. They fucking sold out

i saw amm one time and it was also a contender for best gig i ever saw

 

[Cormcolash]

Best Gig: Daft Punk in the Red Box

 

[nuke terrorist]

FIRST GIG:
Sunstroke 93 at Dalymount Park mentioned by Bogmanfan at top of thread. It was one of first big Irish outdoor gigs with all alternative bands. Most of crowd were teenagers. A thread on thumped years ago about first ever gigs mentioned Sunstroke 93 a lot - far more any other gig.

LAST GIG:
EVICSHEN and MOHAMMAD SYFKHAN at Sugar Club.

BEST GIG:
No one gig, although that last gig was amazing. SETE STAR SEPT, VOIVOD, TUNKIO, HUUN-HUUR-TU, TINARIWEN, OTABOKE BEAVER were some of the best bands.

WORST GIG:
A guy playing boring bogger singer songwriter songs on a keyboard opening up for PERE UBU at Grand Social in 2019. He mentioned he didn't know who UBU were. U Mack were responsible. UBU were excellent though.
Other than I never saw anyone get a particularly negative response. If someone is making an effort I give 'em a clap. I can't play a note.

LOUDEST GIG:
Only time I really thought someone was really not doing my hearing any good was the drummer of ANVIL doing a drum solo. I have never seen any band with a reputation for extreme volume.

SEEN THE MOST:
MANA Dublin punk band with a bit of Rudimentary Peni about them. They happen to play a lot of Dublin punk gigs. Always good to see them.

MOST SURPRISING:
I had no idea who Victoria Shen (EVICSHEN) was until the day of her gig with Mohammad Syfkhan. I though she was some local artist. She makes her own analog instruments and hyper sensitive contact mics.

MOST DISAPPOINTING:
Nothing really as far as performance goes. Twice went home before gigs began because I was tired. e.g. going 90+ miles to Dublin to see WOLF EYES. Not really bothered when this happens. Another time I went to Dublin got there late and only saw 15 or 20 minutes of gig. Such is life.

HAPPY I GOT TO SEE:
SETE STAR SEPT @ The Pint Bar on Aston Quay in 2013. I was into grind noise for 20 years but until that gig had never seen it played live. Dream come true.

SORRY TO HAVE MISSED:
Of things I knew about (often didn't hear about things 20/30 years ago) the one that got away was MYSTIFIER from Brazil. I woke up at 5 am on the day of the gig and wasn't going to get home until 3 am. I couldn't get back to sleep so just didn't go. MYSTIFIER were opening gig (Voodoo Lounge about 2018) and should gone + left after they played and got early bus home. When I saw the vocalist say:
"We have come across the Ocean to play for you..." I felt bad.
MYSTIFIER are a noisy black metal band from Northern Brazil formed in late 80's by four black kids.
Also missed SODOM who were in Ireland several times.
I have big issue with gigs that are over €40 so no real regrets about missing a lot of deceased greats.
Never been to a gig outside Ireland either. No regrets about that.

 

[seanc]

FIRST GIG:
Megadeth at SFX. '97?

LAST GIG:
Iron and Wine. Quite a show, there was puppeteers. Also, funny guy.

BEST GIG:
Me wedding I suppose. Or Bruce Springsteen solo at The Point.

WORST GIG:
Ah now.

LOUDEST GIG:
Something local probably. I've been a back of the room guy for a long time.

SEEN THE MOST:
Bruce Springsteen in various iterations. Or one of the local bands. I certainly have more of the latters t-shirts.

MOST SURPRISING:
Pulp, last year. Would recommend to any and all.

MOST DISAPPOINTING:
Muse at Reading a few years ago. I believe Noel Fielding and yerman from Kasabian were onstage at some point. One is now cancelled, the other a national treasure. I thought they'd do better with a field full of sympathetic listeners. A field full of meh.

HAPPY I GOT TO SEE:
The Pogues.

SORRY TO HAVE MISSED:
Motorhead, on that very same show. Got to see Black Sabbath though.

 

[pete]

FIRST GIG:
Shakin' Stevens, National Stadium, 1981. Me maaaa brought me, and there was a bomb scare and the venue was evacuated.

LAST GIG:
Green Lung. Deadly.

BEST GIG:
For atmosphere, probably Snuff & The Joyce McKinney Experience in London, 4th August 1990. It had been 34c that day and was barely below 25c when the gig started (yes I just checked the historical weather reports). You can imagine how hot it was in the venue that night... Amazing atmosphere... clouds of condensating sweat. Messy.

WORST GIG:
Dunno about "worst". I would have said The Slowest Clock supporting Fugazi for years, but it was a long time ago so who knows.

LOUDEST GIG:
Possibly a Dropdead gig in The Attic when I ended up being one of the saps holding up the PA so it wouldn't fall over into the crowd... not my smartest decision.

SEEN THE MOST:
Jackbeast, maybe?

MOST SURPRISING:
Taylor Swift at Croke Park 2018. Free tickets! An amazing production, even if it started in broad daylight, with two of the biggest screens I've ever seen. Also it was the kid's first proper big gig and she had a blast, so that helped.

MOST DISAPPOINTING:
N/A

HAPPY I GOT TO SEE:
Beastie Boys at EP in 2007, twice. Had managed to miss them at every other previous opportunity for various reasons.

SORRY TO HAVE MISSED:
Sufjan Stevens on the Illinoise tour.

 

[bogmanfan]

SORRY TO HAVE MISSED:
Sufjan Stevens on the Illinoise tour.

Saw him in the Village on that tour. I love that album, but didn’t think the gig was great.

 

[pete]

Saw him in the Village on that tour. I love that album, but didn’t think the gig was great.

GOOD