The Rolling Stones live at Croke Park, Dublin 17/05/2018 Review

As soon as the Rolling Stones were announced for an Irish date on their European tour I jumped at the chance to get tickets for a band that had been at the top of my band bucket list for so long. Out of the seven times they had appeared in Ireland I was only alive for three of them.(Stones Irish Tour History) I was so glad to be finally seeing the band that I never got tired of listening to, never stayed off a playlist of mine and band I had grown up with. 

We headed up to Dublin early Thursday and got the Luas straight into the city centre from the Red Cow roundabout. As we got closer to Croke Park we sampled a few pre-gig pints in the sunshine. The busy pubs that lined the stadium were packed with middle aged rockers adored with the infamous Rolling Stones lick t-shirts each more worn the next. After a few lovely warm ups we headed inside, we made our way right smack bang in the middle of the pitch. With the support act missed due to pre-gig pints we were all set for the main act to arrive out. 

The intro to Sympathy for the Devil starts up and the crowd begin the ooh oohs as the four massive video screens that line the stage kick into life. Out runs Mick Jagger in an incredible glitter jacket that wouldn't be amiss on a circus ringmaster. His instant injection of energy was infectious and that energy didn't dwindle for the whole night. Soon after that Keith and Ronnie appeared at either side and a huge applause for Charlie on drums as the large video screens catch him. It certainly was a goosebumps moment to witness this seminal track being blasted out by the band live.

Its astonishing to think these guy are still going so strong after all these years. It's an absolute privilege to be seeing them perform. Most acts that are still going at this age are notable different and don't hold up to anything near their records but by god do the Rolling Stones still put on a show! I don't think I've ever danced as much watching a gig before. The Jagger moves were very much on show. My legs are in bits today, I would love to know what magic potions Mick takes as he is more than double my age.

The set below just shows what an amazing mix we got to hear. They delved right into the back catalog playing all the crowd favorites that no one leaving could have been disappointed with. Watching the band interact with each other was just brilliant, A band paying this long and still having a ball. We were entertained by trumpet players, piano players and amazing backing vocalists throughout. The final encore of '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction' was incredible as the final notes rang out fireworks were let off into the Dublin sky.
Croke Park was turned into one massive party and I am so grateful I was there. One massive name ticked off the band bucket list and finally as a Limerick man being able to leave Croke Park with a smile on my face was superb.


Cheers for an amazing night! 

Set List:

Sympathy for the Devil

Tumbling Dice

Paint It Black

Just Your Fool (Buddy Johnson and His Orchestra cover)

Ride 'Em on Down (Jimmy Reed cover)

Neighbours

Wild Horses

You Can't Always Get What You Want

It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (But I Like It)

Honky Tonk Women

Before They Make Me Run(Keith Richards on lead vocals)

The Worst(Keith Richards on lead vocals)

Miss You

Midnight Rambler

Start Me Up

Jumpin' Jack Flash

Brown Sugar

Encore:

Gimme Shelter

(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

The Lost Brothers Live at Dolans, Limerick 23/02/2018

After a long week of work what better way to unwind but to head to Dolans and witness of one the best acts in the country right now. Pint in hand, we head up the stairs to my favorite room in the city.

We arrived just at the closing few tracks of the opening act 'Steve Wickham'. What a brilliant stage presence this guy has, He has a very disincentive look and a guy that has clearly been around music for many years. Its wasn't the last we saw of Steve that night as he joined the Losties for most of their set showing off his multitude of talent on various instruments including guitar, violin and concertina. I was delighted to pick up his latest offering on CD called 'Beekeeper' released in 2017. It was only when I went home I realised much to my ignorance that Steve is a long standing member of The Waterboys and played on countless albums with a plethora of stars such Elvis Costello and playing the violin on U2's classic 'Sunday Bloody Sunday'. So that was a great start to the evening and a mighty fine opener.

Next up were the main act The Lost Brothers. The lads started the evening off with just the two of them on stage armed with guitars and their amazing harmonies. They kicked off with 'Echoes in the Wind' the opener from their latest album 'Halfway towards a healing'. I bought the album on release and have been listening to it non stop since January. It's a sublime album and one that will make it to my top ten at the end of year no doubt. 

Later in the set the lads were joined by two members of Waterford's brilliant band 'O Emperor'.  Phil and Al added piano and electric guitar to the proceedings. Steve Wickham also headed on stage to finish off the collective. The band weaved in and out of all five of their records providing an amazing night of music to a sold out upstairs venue. Expect to hear a lot more from the lads as they embark on a tour of the UK and America in the next few weeks. 


Be sure and go out a buy there latest album. Cheers for a great night, Until next time.