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2024-03-16 Ciaràn Moran - The Grand Social, Dublin

It turns out that it's been almost a year to the day since I last caught Ciaràn Moran live.  That was at The Cobblestone in Smithfield back in March 2023.  There were a couple of gigs I meant to get to, but for one reason or another, I just couldn't get there.  This time though, the gig was in The Grand Social, a great venue just over by the Ha'penny Bridge, and I was not going to miss this show! I've spoken in a previous post about how myself and Ciaràn came about, so I'll not rehash it here, but it's been an absolute joy to watch him progress the way he has.  I thought he was good when I saw him in the Underground, Dublin back in 2019 and I'm happy to say I wasn't wrong! Tonight, in front of a packed house of adoring fans, friends and family, he put on a great show.  The setlist featured. amongst many others, Follow Your Soul (my favourite), Too Hard on Myself , Life Inner City and the beautiful Mother .  Also in the mix were covers of Irish standa

2024-03-15 Wake The Show - The National Stadium, Dublin

So, how did I end up at Wake The Show ?  Well, that's simple.  A friend of mine called and was telling me about the show and how I really should go see it and how it was very photographic and that I'd love it.  I was sold on it, so, as soon as I hung up the call, and not knowing anything more about the show, I went and booked a ticket. It's strange going to a show or a gig these days without a camera, but that's what I did last night.  I think the last time I did it was for Bono's show, " Stories of Surrender ", on Broadway.  Mind you, that was an enforced policy, tonight's show was a personal choice! Now, had I known that the audience were actively encouraged to take photos (no flash photography though, and definitely no video), I might just have brought my small Sony DSC-HX60 , but I didn't, so I didn't. Anyway, what was Wake The Show all about?  Well, they explained that is was based on the Irish Wake.  Now, I've been to many a wake and

Why did I cancel my Spotify account?

Earlier today, Mark Graham , Podcaster. Music Lecturer and ex of King Kong Company, posted on his socials some reasons why you might stop supporting Spotify, and it reminded me why I made that decision back in 2020. So, why did I cancel my Spotify account 4 years ago?  And, just what did I do to fill its space?  Let me explain... In 2020, I'd read an interview with Daniel Ek, Spotify CEO, and in it, he made some rather disparaging remarks about musicians.  I thought to myself, why would I give my hard earned money to Spotify, if this is how they feel about musicians, my friends, who continuously feed Spotify with new music. I did, however, keep my free Spotify account.  I used it to pre-save and share music from my musician friends. Then, in 2021, it was found that Ek, via his investment company Prima Materia, had invested €100million into European Defence AI company, Helsing.  Whilst I do understand the need for defence, I'm just not a big fan of profiting off the war machi

2024-03-02 Mothers Against Genocide - Dalymount Park, Dublin

I'm not much of an activist.  In my youth, I was involved with a campaign to shutdown Sellafield, I joined Greenpeace and Amnesty International , but as I grew older, I became more self-centred.  It was Celtic Tiger times, all we cared about was the next bottle of champagne, the next foreign holiday and spending money stupidly. Those times are gone now and I'll be paying off that Champagne till the day I die, but thankfully, now that the stupidity has ended, it allows me time and space to think about others.  I'm still not much of an activist, but I will do what I can. I have, for many years, had a stick in my arse about Israel and it's behaviour in Palestine.  The two tier society, the savage beatings of children and the elderly, the constant stealing of land...  All in the name of Israel and under the banner of "we must protect Israel".  We watched, from afar, as destruction rained on the people of Palestine.  It very much reminded me, and indeed many Irish

2024-02-18 Princess Melancholy - Smock Alley, Dublin

"Mildly unhinged woman with a princess mentality is thwarted by her own mind while trying to perform stand-up. An effervescent performance or acute psychotic episode?" After reading that, how could I not go along and support my friend Sophia as she put on her one woman show  Princess Melancholy in Smock Alley , Dublin! It was a great show, very funny, but very real at times...  Maybe that was just for me, who knows! Anyway, if you get the chance to see the show, I'd really recommend it. Now, for a few photos:

2024-02-17 Only After Dark Burlesque Show - The Dark Horse, Athlone

It had been a few years since I'd visited Athlone, so, when I got the opportunity to shoot the Only After Dark Burlesque Show , I took it and made the most of the night! I started off meeting friends in Dead Centre Brewing for a few glasses of lemonade and a bite to eat.  It was very nice, staff were great, food was delicious, what more could you want? After that, it was time for a change of scenery, a change of pace and definitely, a change in atmosphere.  It was time for a bit of Burlesque! Only After Dark takes place upstairs in the Dark Horse , in a large open space, nicely decorated and, most importantly, with it's own bar.  During the show, to cut down on unnecessary movements, bar staff come to your table and take your orders,  it makes for a very pleasant experience! So, who performed on the night?  Well, the hostess, and indeed the lady behind Only After Dark, Miss Memphis Shell opened proceedings with a traditional burlesque routine, ending in nipple tassel twirling