Friday, November 30, 2012

Bruce Springsteen's Irish Tour Archive

Bruce pictured above at Slane Castle in 1985 his first outing on Irish soil. I decided to compile his Irish tour history with the brilliant announcement of Bruce coming to my home town, Limerick next year. There maybe a few dates wrong but from what I can dig up it seems he had played Ireland twenty two times in the past. Most of these gigs have been played in the capital as he only ventured outside of Dublin three times. Once to play his first ever date in Slane Castle and twice in Belfast in 1996 and 2006.
The Boss has just announced three further Irish dates for 2012:

29-Jul-2016 Croke Park, Dublin
27-Jul-2016 Croke Park, Dublin
28-Jul-2013 Nowlan Park, Kilkenny
27-Jul-2013 Nowlan Park, Kilkenny
16-Jul-2013 Thomond Park Limerick Ireland(Review Here)
18-Jul-2013 Páirc Uí Chaoimh Cork Ireland
20-Jul-2013 Belfast, Northern Ireland
17-Jul-2012 RDS Dublin (Ireland)
18-Jul-2012 RDS Dublin (Ireland)
11-Jul-2009 RDS Dublin (Ireland)
12-Jul-2009 RDS Dublin (Ireland)
22-May-2008 RDS Dublin (Ireland)
23-May-2008 RDS Dublin (Ireland)
25-May-2008 RDS Dublin (Ireland)
05-May-2006 The Point Dublin (Ireland)
17-Nov-2006 The Point Dublin (Ireland)
18-Nov-2006 The Point Dublin (Ireland)
19-Nov-2006 The Point Dublin (Ireland)
21-Nov-2006 The Odyssey Belfast (Ireland)
24-May-2005 The Point Dublin (Ireland)
31-May-2003 RDS Dublin (Ireland) The Rising Tour
25-May-1999 RDS Dublin (Ireland) Reunion Tour
17-Mar-1996 The Mean Fiddler Dublin (Ireland)
19-Mar-1996 Kings Hall Belfast (Ireland)
20-Mar-1996 The Point Dublin (Ireland)
19-May-1993 The Stadium Dublin (Ireland)
20-May-1993 RDS Dublin (Ireland)
07-Jul-1988 RDS Dublin (Ireland) Tunnel of Love Tour
01-Jun-1985 Slane Castle Meath (Ireland) Born in the USA Tour

Check out some other bands Irish Tour Histories Here

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Limerick on Record is Released

A limited edition charity box set of limerick acts was released yesterday in Thomond Park . The box set was compiled by Paddy Brennan a founding member of the limerick rock'n'roll club and an expert in the showbands music era.
The three CD boxset houses sixty two tracks of all limerick bands and artists down through the years. The album features singers such as Richard Harris , Terry Wogan and Denis Allen . The box set also has some great limerick bands from down through the years including Tuesday Blue , Grannys Intentions , Toucandance , The Hitchers and the Groove . Some of the new up and coming bands are also including in the likes of Hermitage Green , Parliament Square and Windings. Great to see Woodstar appear on the album also and the track chosen 'The King' is one of the best.

The album proceeds all go to Milford Hospice and can be purchased in the following places :
Savins
O'Mahony's Bookshop
Euro Empire
Milford Hospice
University Concert Hall
O'Donnell's Boutique
The Hunt Museum

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Bruce Springsteen is coming to town!


Delighted that the rumours are true! The boss will play Thomond Park on the 16th of July 2013. Tickets will go on sale on the 6th of December via ticketmaster. Great to see the venue getting such a great act on its books and I have never seen bruce play and he is on the list!

Friday, November 23, 2012

Parliament Square Reveil New Video


Excellent local band 'Parliament Square' released their new single and revealed their new video to 'Forest Fire' last night in Cobblestone Joes.
Parliament Square are a Limerick four piece fronted by Brendan Markham of past legendary local band 'The Driven'.
The band are going well and the new video looks and sounds great, looking forward to more from the band. Keep an eye on them here.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Eamonn Hehir live at Dolans , Limerick 17/11/2012 Review

A wonderful night of music, nostalgia and a night to be proud of took place in Dolans as local singer songwriter Eamonn Hehir released his new album 'The Flag Listeners' . The warehouse was packed full of a who's who's in the limerick music scene to celebrate the launch of Eamonn's second album, almost twelve years in the making since his first offering 'Blood Mill Road' back in 2000.

 
Speaking of a who's who's in the Limerick Music scene just take a look at the band for the night : Dave Keary on electric guitar , The human anchor Eoghan O'Neill on Bass , James Hanley on Keyboard , Danny Byrt on Drums and 'the Flag Listener Sisters' Jenny McMahon & Siobhan O'Brien on backing vocal duties.
Eamonn had gathered a band together for the night as most of the instruments on the album are played by Eamonn , so the lack of several hands meant needing some band members. Having assembled only for the launch night and with so little practice you would imagine a night of faults and hiccups would ensue but the band sounded like they have been playing together forever which is such a testament to their individual talents.

 
A strong twenty track set list which included all of the tracks from the new album and featured a cover of Des O'Dwyer's "Running Scared". Des was a constant member of Eamonn's groups down through the years and sadly passed away in 2010, Des features heavily throughout the new album. Running Scared featured in Des's posthumous released album 'Home James' and the band gave a fitting tribute to him on the night. The night included the album track 'Before the song was over' a beautiful haunting lament in tribute to Des.
The set also included some classic tracks from his debut album 'Blood Mill Road'. The limited album was on sale on the night and after giving it some listening over the last few days its clear its a cracking album and another gem to be added to the annuals of limerick music.

 
The band brought the album to life on the night and there is nothing like listening to live music , a highlight for me was the track 'Gates of Limbo' as Keary lashed his way throughout the guitar parts and the band were in full swing! For the encore Eamonn arrived out sans guitar to sing 'Little Man' accompanied by James Hanley , who proceeded to show off his sublime talent on piano.
Eamonn played his full back catalogue , a catalogue anyone would give their right arm for. The album gives insights to Eamonn's views on life and how he can turn a simple scenario into a masterpiece. The topics of life , love and death are all covered in his amazing style . Go out and get a copy while you can! Its hard to put into words how good a night it was and the videos below don't even do it justice. The only issue on the night was that it had to end , Cheers for an unreal night of music!

 
Set List:
Downtown
That Cold Year
Running Scared
The Angel's Share
California
Lincoln
Almost Drowning
The Master of Ceremonies
Gigs & Funerals
Dry Land
Restless Kind
White Lines
Before the Song was over
The Man on the Clapham Omnibus
Girl From the Waterfall
Things will happen
The Gates of Limbo
Encore:
Little Man
Steve Brodie Took a Chance
Joe Cocker Isn't Wanted
 


Relive most of the magic thanks to BocktheRobbers Video playlist of the night below

Friday, November 16, 2012

Bell x1 live at Dolans Limerick 15/11/2012 Review



Last night saw Bell x1 roll into town to play the opening night of a two night sold out affair in Dolan's warehouse. The warehouse was kitted out with rows and rows of seating, a first for me. The walls had posters stating that patrons turn off mobile phones and that the bar would be closed during the performance. All things lead to a night of acoustic bliss from the band.
The three members Paul Noonan , David Geraghty and Dominic Philips treated the seated crowd to a stunning performance of a full range of tracks spanning all seven of their albums.


The trio are currently on an acoustic tour much like the tour that came to St.Johns Church back in 2010 (mini review here)
The lads spoke of their fondness for Limerick and that nearly 12 years ago when the band were just starting to gig Dolans played host to one of their first. No opening act facilitated a full night of acoustic Bell x1 which was spilt into two parts with an interlude in the middle. As Paul mention far from Interludes they were rared, the banter was great throughout the night. With many of the tracks being given back stories before they began , Several covers were thrown into their existing tracks and the band were full of little surprises even throwing 'Ms Jackson' by Outkast into the mix. The night was filled with many instruments including Banjos, ukuleles and a magnificent sounding upright piano.

They played a number of new tracks so hopefully we will see a new record soon enough from the band, the new numbers sounded great so we can expect great things down the line. The final song a cover of Roy Orbinson (Bono/Edge penned) 'She's a Mystery to Me' was superb as the band stood around one mic, check out the videos below for a little snippet of a great night, Cheers!

SetList: (Order might not be right)
Part1:
Bad Skin
Velcro
Heart
Next to You
Rocky
Motorcades
Slow Set
Built
Flame
Part2:
Eve
Offshore
ABC
Nightwatchmen
Safer than love
starlings
Defector
Sunflower
Encore:
Heart
She's a Mystery to Me (Roy Orbison Cover)
 

Monday, November 12, 2012

Eamonn Hehir Releases his New Album this Saturday

No stranger to gigging dolans local singer-songwriter Eamonn Hehir is set to release his second solo album 'The Flag Listeners' this Saturday the 17th in the warehouse.

The much anticipated album has been in the making for twelve years since his first album offering 'Blood Mill Road' back in 2000 however Eamonn has been in the local music scene for a lot longer than that. The eighties saw Eamonn fronting many bands including legendary local outfit 'Toucandance' and is still a regular on the live music scene around town.


Eamonn appeared on last years limerick compilation album 'The New Reindeer Age' with a track entitled 'Is this My Caring Face' which whetted the appetite for the full release of 'The Flag Listeners'. The album all recorded in his home studio is sure to be his best work to date, Many of the tracks are already live favourites and it will be great to hear them all on one album.

The gig will have a backing band many a musician would dream to have with the likes of  Dave Keary (ex-Tuesday Blue and currently playing with Van Morrison) on electric guitar; Eoghan O’Neill (ex-moving Hearts) on bass; James Hanley on keyboards; Danny Byrt on drums; Jenny McMahon (DeLorean suite) and singer/songwriter, Siobhán O’Brien, on backing vocals.
Its sure to be one of the best gigs of the year!

Check out more info here : http://eamonnhehir.com/

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Albums Worth Listening to in November 2012

L-R
Eamonn Hehir - The Flag Listeners
The Local singer-songwriter releases his much anticipated second solo album on the 17th of this month, 1 gig and 1 album not to miss!!!
O Emperor - Electric Tongues​/​Erman Gou
Cry Monster Cry - The Fallen EP
- Buy the EP here
Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Psychedelic Pill
The Rolling Stones - GRRR!
The Who - Live At Hull


As always suggestions very welcome!

O Emperor in town this Friday

An IndieLimerick favourite O Emperor will play Dolans this Friday the 9th as part of their eight night Irish tour.
The band have just released a double a side single in the form of 'Electoc Tongues/Erman Gou' in the follow up to their 2010 debut album 'Hither Thither'. The lads have been very busy recording in 2012 and the results are somewhat in a new direction comparing the material to the 2010 work.
Looking forward to hearing all the new stuff this Friday. Check out one of the new tracks below. Tickets available here.