One of Cork’s finest Fred played a packed show in the Opera House in Cork at the end of November.  I’ve seen them quite a few times over the years, most recently at the Indiependence festival but you can never tire of their live performances.  Fred are making a return to the stage over the coming weeks so check them out.

Tue 29th Dec 2009
Jolly Roger Marquee
Sherkin Island

Wed 30th Dec 2009
INEC Acoustic Club
Killarney

Sat 2nd Jan 2010
The Lodge
Mallow

Lots of more photos below.

Check out the full set on Flickr for more photos.

Related Posts on www.donal.ie

• August 7, 2008 -- Fred at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (0)
• November 11, 2009 -- Julie Feeney at The Pavilion (0)
• August 17, 2008 -- The Flaws at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (2)

A few weeks ago I headed over to Manchester for a spot of footie and looked up gig listings for the weekend.  I spotted that The Magic Numbers were playing on the Sunday night so I thought why not?  I didn’t really know much of their stuff but I had heard some songs.  It’s always great to go to a gig with little expectation and be subsequently blown away by the buzz and atmosphere that they generate.  It was a thoroughly enjoyable gig and for those of you luck enough to get a ticket to see them tonight in The Opera House here in Cork as part of the Murphy’s Little Big Nights Out campaign, enjoy!  I, along with 7000 others apparently, unfortunately got a lovely rejection email from Murphy’s.  It felt like a PFO for a job application!

Just a short note on the venue, Band on the Wall, it looks like it has a great line-up with different types of music going on there all the time.  Well worth checking out if you’re in Manchester.

Lots more photos in the full set on Flickr.

Related Posts on www.donal.ie

• December 28, 2009 -- Fred at Cork Opera House (2)
• November 11, 2009 -- Julie Feeney at The Pavilion (0)
• September 3, 2009 -- Frank and Walters at Indiependence (0)

The delectable Julie Feeney played in the Pavilion in Cork a couple of weeks ago.  Having heard her song Impossibly Beautiful a few times including on the Late Late Show the week before where Julie sported a house on her head!  The night was a mixture of the surreal and delightful intertwined with a horrible feeling that Julie’s massive heels would have her tumbling from the stage as she climbed over the barriers.  For one of the more memorable songs called Myth Julie went amongst the audience whispering into peoples’ ears which made for a dramatic effect as she wandered from person to person.  Throughout, the band members played a selection of instruments and were all highly-talented making the night all the more enjoyable.  If you get a chance to see her play live, do it!

See a few more photos in the full set on Flickr.

Related Posts on www.donal.ie

• August 10, 2008 -- Fight Like Apes at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (1)
• December 28, 2009 -- Fred at Cork Opera House (2)
• August 16, 2009 -- The Villagers at Indiependence (0)

We were watching Tim Minchin on the telly back in July and just for the laugh Googled him to see if he was playing anytime soon.  We were heading up to Dublin for the U2 concert on the Saturday and sure enough Tim Minchin was playing on Sunday as part of the Carlsberg Comedy Festival.  I don’t think much needs to be said about this genius except to say that his show absolutely wowed us.

As if the musical comedic delights of Tim Minchin weren’t enough for us, Des Bishop was the 2nd headliner on the bill.  I’ve never seen Des live but I’ve enjoyed his shows on telly, each concept show getting that bit more involved and entertaining.  He’s got a certain stage presence and while he didn’t play any instrument, he toyed with the audience.  In particular, one lady who wanted to take part in the show after one too many glasses of wine.  Her “I paid for you” comment was the ultimate invitation to take the complete mickey out of her and Des obliged to everybody’s delight except hers.  Is binn béal ina thost, as the good man would say himself.

Michael Mee was the MC for the evening.  The Corkman did a fine job of getting the crowd in the mood with his self-deprecating style.  I wouldn’t mind seeing him in action doing his own show.

There was a great buzz around the Iveagh Gardens where the festival was held.

Related Posts on www.donal.ie

• September 3, 2009 -- Frank and Walters at Indiependence (0)
• August 16, 2009 -- The Villagers at Indiependence (0)
• September 20, 2008 -- The Blizzards at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (0)

Super Furry Animals finished up what was a great Indiependence festival this year in Mitchelstown.  After waiting for what seemed like an age, in the rain, the Furries came out on stage.  In spite of the “WOAH!” sign, these was little enthusiasm shown by the lads as they came slowly bounding onto stage.  I really enjoyed their set when they finally got going although I have to admit flaking off early after a day in the rain.  Wimp, I know!

Here’s looking forward to a dry festival next year!  I hope the same venue is used again as it really made the festival.

Related Posts on www.donal.ie

• August 16, 2009 -- The Villagers at Indiependence (0)
• August 10, 2009 -- Wallis Bird at Indiependence (5)
• September 3, 2009 -- Frank and Walters at Indiependence (0)

The Franks played down at the Indiependence festival in Mitchelstown again this year.  They’re ever-present at this festival and while you might say that you’re seeing the same bands this year but now have to pay for it, the multi-stage festival has a lot more bands packed into the schedule which makes it well worth it.  I wonder what the plans are for next year.

But getting back to the Franks, this wasn’t one of their best performances I thought.  Perhaps the vibe in the tent was one of relief to be out of the rain but most weren’t the fanatical Franks fans you’d expect to see at their gigs.  To say it wasn’t their best performance is a little unfair; the gig atmosphere wasn’t ideal but that wasn’t down to them.  You’ll always get a mix of fans at performances in a festival scenario which I’m sure people will experience this weekend at Electric Picnic.  I hope to get to the Franks gig when they hopefully play their annual Christmas gig in Cork.

See a few more photos in the full set.

Related Posts on www.donal.ie

• August 16, 2009 -- The Villagers at Indiependence (0)
• August 10, 2009 -- Wallis Bird at Indiependence (5)
• August 7, 2008 -- Fred at Indie-Pendence in Mitchelstown (0)

The Blizzards were next up after Delorentos by which time the rain was really coming down again so I didn’t get too many photos.  As you can see from the picture below, lead singer Niall Breslin had his right arm in a cast so he couldn’t play guitar but this didn’t slow him down on stage.  Some plonker in the audience thought it would be funny to throw hay (used to minimise the muck due to the rain) at him which after the 5th or 6th time Niall finally let rip.  Lots of pent-up anger there!  While I’m not a big fan of the second album, the songs sound a lot better live.  Perhaps the album is over-produced and almost too perfect.

Related Posts on www.donal.ie

• August 16, 2009 -- The Villagers at Indiependence (0)
• September 16, 2009 -- Super Furry Animals at Indiependence (0)
• September 3, 2009 -- Frank and Walters at Indiependence (0)

Delorentos played out a great set at the Indiependence festival in Mitchelstown.  This was one of my favourite acts of the day, possibly because the lads seemed to enjoy themselves which always makes for a good gig.  Perhaps their planned split earlier this year which subsequently didn’t go ahead has given them a new lease of life.  Long may it last!  I’m now looking forward to the release of their second album.

A few more photos in the full set on Flickr.

Related Posts on www.donal.ie

• August 16, 2009 -- The Villagers at Indiependence (0)
• September 3, 2009 -- Frank and Walters at Indiependence (0)
• August 14, 2009 -- Fred at Indiependence (0)

The Villagers are one of the bands I was really looking forward to at the recent Indiependence.  I had heard quite a bit of their music and of course I was a fan of The Immediate who I saw in Cyprus Avenue.  I was well impressed with the performance and I must try pick up their EP ‘Hollow Kind’.  For those of you heading to Electric Picnic, this is one act to catch.

There are a few more photos in the full set.

Related Posts on www.donal.ie

• September 3, 2009 -- Frank and Walters at Indiependence (0)
• August 21, 2009 -- Delorentos at Indiependence (2)
• August 14, 2009 -- Fred at Indiependence (0)

Cork band Fred were the next band we saw at Indiependence after Dark Room Notes.  As always they put on a good show and I heard good stuff about their performance at Cork X Soutwest the day before.

As always, a few more photos in the full set on Flickr.

Related Posts on www.donal.ie

• August 16, 2009 -- The Villagers at Indiependence (0)
• August 21, 2009 -- Delorentos at Indiependence (2)
• September 3, 2009 -- Frank and Walters at Indiependence (0)