10 years of Vicar Street
Jim Carroll
It’s a decade since Vicar Street opened on a corner of Thomas Street in Dublin which used to house an abattoir and a rundown pub. That’s 10 years of quality gigs, big names and shouts for “one more tune”. We’re planning a feature on Vicar Street for The Ticket and we’d like your input please: what are the Vicar Street gigs you remember fondly? It could be one of the big ones like Bob Dylan or Neil Young. It could be one of the many, many Irish bands who’ve played there to full houses. It might even be Dan Deacon at large. Let us know.
Each time I’ve gone it’s been v.good – great artists like Kate Rusby / David Sylvian / Devo.
However the GREATEST concert in Vicar St. or anywhere in Ire. or probably the world for that matter was the absolutely stupendous performance by our finest – PAUL CLEARY. While other mediocre mortals like the frames and others get mentions above , Cleary’s triumphant return in 2002 is predictably overlooked. Critics who go to concerts for livlihood – were none of you there ?
We were treated to performance of entire CROOKED TOWN album ( not featured in Ticket top 50 irish l.p.’s – incredibly ) followed by BLADES back catalogue. We joyously bopped liked kids / blokes grooved in front of band / crowd generally delighted in fantastic triumphant
return. Makes me smile when reading through list that this concert is not mentioned but maybe
someone who attended will read this and concur.
Have to fly the flag for our greatest pop songwriter. Thanks.
Declan – as someone who was there (and whose first ever live gig was a Blades show many, many, many years ago), I completely agree with you. Great songs from one of the most under-rated songwriters of all time.
Many of my most memorable shows have taken place in Vicar St.
Foremostly the first of 3 Television shows I promoted in Dublin. I had a passion to see the band and saw they were booked for ATP in the UK – first gig in 8 years. Never having done it before I contacted guitarist Richard Lloyd through a mutual friend and then Bren Berry to see if the venue was available. Bren was a treat to work with and I learned alot – amazingly we turned around a near sell out in 3 and a half weeks. Everyone in the room was mezmerized – even the band.
I also enjoyed bringing Grant Lee Phillips and once again, Aiken’s people showed they are the best to work with.
As a punter notable mentions go to
Ian Dury and the Blockheads in 2000
Brian Wilson 2005
Lloyd Cole & the Commotions 2005
and Grant McLennan and Robert Forster in 99 (?)
Not forgetting…..Christy’s last show of his residency before taking a break for a couple of years – got a front row seat at the last minute and it was pure joy.
Thanks Vicar St – Long may you run
Frank Donnelly – Boston, MA
Billy Bragg – June 2006
In addition to being treated to his acerbic wit, all present were offered his debut LP (in it’s entirety) as an encore.
Magic!