Rock on, baby! (Top 10 Gigs)

Member Name: The Duke

Product:	Top 10 Gigs
Date:	29/04/01 (115 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Quality rock moments

Disadvantages: You can't do these anymore!

I've been to a lot of concerts and festivals in my time. Some have been good and some have been bad. For a gig to be included in my top ten, I'm going to consider factors other than the band and the playlist for the particular concert, what this means may become more apparent as you read on – if you read on! As with my other Top Tens, this is in no other order apart from the order I remember them all in.

Artist: Aerosmith,
Tour / Album Supported: Get A Grip Tour,
Venue: Point Depot,
City: Dublin.
Date: 1993

Unlike a number of my friends, I'd only been a fan of Aerosmith since they released their "Pump" album. I'd bought "Get A Grip" when it was released however, and thought it was a great album. When I heard they were playing in Dublin, it didn't take too much to persuade my friend Alan to go along for a bit of a rocking night out. We were meant to meet friends in a pub in Dublin, but they didn't show which made us slightly late, but seeing as we didn't miss any of Aerosmith, we weren't too concerned – we only missed Joe Satriani (*phew*). It was almost perfect timing – a few minutes after we entered the main hall, the band came on and played "Eat the rich" the opening track from their newest (at the time) album which was the start of one of the finest concerts I've been at in terms of sound quality, atmosphere and general good fun.

Artist: James Brown
Tour / Album Supported: Unknown
Venue: Point Depot
City: Dublin
Date: Can't Remember

I've been a fan of this type of Soul music for years, and when my friend rang to tell me that James Brown was playing in Dublin, well, what was going to keep me from there? Nothing! That's what! Now the Point, as a venue is really nothing special – a converted warehouse on the riverside, and a hefty hike from Dublin city centre if you're having a few pints bef
ore the show. We turned up early, and were surprised by the quality of the supporting artists – the cast of The Commitments (well, some of them) and a Scottish act called (I think) "No More Words". This Scottish act was brilliant, and despite knowing none of their songs, they managed to entertain me for the brief time they were onstage. I was also impressed with the front man's stage presence that captivated the audience. James Brown was slightly disappointing, but only because of his age – he was as energetic as someone of his age could be, and a fair proportion of the concert was his backing band and singers only with JB nowhere to be seen, although that didn't stop this being a quality night out.

Artist: U2
Tour / Album Supported: Popmart
Venue: Botanic Gardens
City: Belfast
Date: August 1997

The last time U2 played in Belfast was around 1987, in the Kings' Hall which is capable of holding approximately 5,000 people. There were rumours circulating for months that U2 were looking at various sites for holding an open-air concert in Belfast, and then one day, there was an official announcement. Although the concert wasn't due to start until 8pm or thereabouts, for my friends and myself, the whole day started at 12 noon with some alcohol based refreshment. Ash were one of the support bands, and were quite good, although the sound was poor. U2 were excellent – Bono is a great front man and live performer and even though some of my friends are not big U2 fans, a good time was had by all, especially those youngsters around me who were taught how to dance.

Artist: Terrorvision
Tour / Album Supported: Shaving Peaches
Venue: Empire Music Hall
City: Belfast
Date: April 1999

For those of you who are not aware of Terrorvision – they're a very pop-orientated rock band, and their name mis-represents them somewhat. I was surprised to see them playing an venue
as small as the Empire Music Hall (which is quite a good venue, if small) as they had performed quite well in the charts over the last few years, and shortly before this tour, had been at Number 2 with a remix of their song "Tequila". First of all, I was surprised by how young the crowd was – my friends and I were significantly older than anyone else, but once the band started, that was all forgotten as Darren and myself went up to teach the kids how to mosh (yes, he was also at U2). 30 seconds later, we decided we were too old to mosh, and retreated to the rear of the hall to swig some beer, and tap our feet in time to the music. Terrorvision produce some great pop tunes, and we sang along to the songs, most of which the kids seemed unfamiliar with (obviously only there because of "Tequila"), but still a great gig in a cosy venue, and Tony (the singer) seemed pleased to be there!

Artist: Reef
Tour / Album Supported: Rides
Venue: Ulster Hall
City: Belfast
Date: May 1999

Personally, I think Reef are a very underrated band. They've released four albums now (I think) and the first three are excellent! So, for the second time on a few weeks, I got my dancing trousers on, and headed into town for some rock action. Meeting up with some friends in the pub ("power drinking – we don't have much time!") we had a few beers then nipped across the road to catch the support act who I can't remember the name of, but were very good (it might have been "A") and very loud. Having remembered my lesson from the Terrorvision gig, I wisely stayed at the back and restricted my dancing to some shuffling around, while trying not to spill my beer. Still, they seemed to play for ages (a good thing) and the atmosphere at the gig was excellent, despite rumours of the tickets not selling. To cap it all off, it was still early enough after the gig to go and partake of more beverages! Result!
r><br>Artist: Oasis
Tour / Album Supported: Definitely Maybe
Venue: Limelight
City: Belfast
Date: 1993

I can't remember the exact date of this gig, but it was either the week before or the week after Definitely Maybe was released. Back in the days when we didn't know that the Gallagher brothers were a bunch of, well, somethings. The Limelight is quite a small venue – holding no more than 1,000 people at most, and on this night, it was packed. Really the only thing I do remember about the gig itself was the fabulous version of "I am the walrus" that they finished their set with and the amazing atmosphere. It was obvious even then that they would go on to become hugely successful, and while my friend can gloat that he was one of the 250,000 people to see them at Knebworth, I tell him I got the bus into town to see them. That's usually when he swears at me.

Artist: R. E. M.
Tour / Album Supported: New Adventures in Hi-Fi
Venue: Slane Castle
City: Dundalk, Republic of Ireland.
Date: July

Having successfully bought tickets to see them play earlier in the year at the NEC in Birmingham, only for Bill Berry to fall ill, I thought for sure, I'd never see them live, only for them to announce an Irish date. It was a huge all-day affair with loads of support acts (including Oasis and Spearhead "Shoot hoops, not Brothers!"). It was a gloriously sunny, summers day and the entire concert was simply fantastic. Although he comes across as a quiet sort of character, Michael Stipe, while not exploding into life onstage, is an electric and commanding front man.

Artist: Rage Against The Machine
Tour / Album Supported: Unknown (Tripp to Tipp festival)
Venue: Thurles Stadium
City: Thurles, Tipperary
Date: August 1994

As part of a stupendous line up one Saturday afternoon that included House of Pain and Blur, we were in for an afternoon of some top qual
ity bands. Despite having heard very little of Blur at the time, they were excellent, and RATM were also a top act, although this was well after their first album, and long before their second. But it was a top, sunny afternoon with plenty of kids looking to be taught how to dance. So, by the time House of Pain came on (trying to claim to be Irish *tut*) the kids were busting some moves and we retired towards the back of the crowd to be able to "Jump Around" without some ankle-biter cunningly getting between my boots and the ground.

Artist: Fun Lovin' Criminals
Tour / Album Supported:
Venue: Waterfront Hall
City: Belfast
Date: Ack! Can't remember!

Three things stand out about this gig. Firstly, the sound was terrible. This is unacceptable in a concert hall which was acoustically designed. Secondly, the support act (some rap group thing) were brilliant with some great tunes, and subsequent detective work has failed to produce the name of the band. Thirdly, the Fun Lovin' criminals are waaaaaaay cool. This was just after their second album was released, and they played for what seemed like ages, as well as doing their own version of a scene from "Scarface" halfway through. Huey was a top front man, bantering with the crowd in between songs, and generally acting like he was the coolest man alive (which he may well be!). If you get a chance to see them, then do so!

Artist: INXS
Tour / Album Supported: Get Out of the House Tour (Tripp to Tipp festival)
Venue: Thurles Stadium
City: Thurles, Tipperary
Date: August 1993

Again, as part of the Tripp to Tipp festival (a different one), INXS were the headline act on the Saturday night. This smaller tour was just before they released their "Full Moon, Dirty Hearts" album and while containing some of these new songs, was really a greatest hits from their earlier works. INXS were a world-class band, and Michael Hutchence
had a good voice on him. As a front man he was ok, although the numerous young girlies who were surrounding me would disagree if the volume of their screams were any sort of indicator. The other band members were good showmen as well, with a number of them able to play more than one instrument, which is always impressive. Also, any band that has a member called Garry Gary Beers is onto a winner!

**Disclaimer**
Please note, as I am relying on my rapidly deteriorating memory, some details (specifically dates, or albums supported) maybe be slightly inaccurate. If anyone disagrees with any of these points, please let me know.