Rigsy Reminisces: Most Legendary Northern Ireland Gigs Of The Last 25 Years
Across The Line
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Having stumbled upon some footage of a very special Kings Hall gig in 1992, I got thinking about the best gigs this country has ever hosted - in my gig going lifetime.
Here's my own top five - would love to hear what you reckon I've left out, and why....join the conversation on our facebook page.
5. The Strokes - The Ulster Hall (30/11/2003)
With a mere weeks notice for a surprise return to Belfast (they'd played The Limelight in 2001), there was a scramble for tickets like nothing Belfast had seen before. Without doubt, the noisiest gig I've ever witnessed at The Ulster Hall, with punters stomping the floor in delight throughout a gig they knew they were lucky to be at. The band had a ball too, celebrating with a visit to Katy Daly's where they pulled pints and chatted up the locals.
With a mere weeks notice for a surprise return to Belfast (they'd played The Limelight in 2001), there was a scramble for tickets like nothing Belfast had seen before. Without doubt, the noisiest gig I've ever witnessed at The Ulster Hall, with punters stomping the floor in delight throughout a gig they knew they were lucky to be at. The band had a ball too, celebrating with a visit to Katy Daly's where they pulled pints and chatted up the locals.
4. Oasis - The Limelight (4/09/1994)
'We were playing in a bar in Belfast, I think it was called The Limelight', Noel Gallagher told the Belfast Telegraph in 2008. 'I was in the dressing room afterwards when someone came up and told us the album ('Definitely Maybe') was going to be number one. So yeah, Belfast will always be special for that reason.'
Interesting side note - The Limelight seems to have had a capacity of around 10,000 back in 1994. Assuming everyone who claims to have been at this gig is telling the truth....
'We were playing in a bar in Belfast, I think it was called The Limelight', Noel Gallagher told the Belfast Telegraph in 2008. 'I was in the dressing room afterwards when someone came up and told us the album ('Definitely Maybe') was going to be number one. So yeah, Belfast will always be special for that reason.'
Interesting side note - The Limelight seems to have had a capacity of around 10,000 back in 1994. Assuming everyone who claims to have been at this gig is telling the truth....
3. Snow Patrol - Ward Park (5/6/2010)
It remains the biggest gig Northern Ireland has ever hosted, with 40,000 people invading Ward Park for Snow Patrol's second mammoth homecoming show (they'd previously headlined a slightly smaller show in 2007). With the band at the peak of their powers, full of confidence and in (sunny) familiar surroundings - it was set to be perfect. And as my review at the time tries to portray, it really was.
It remains the biggest gig Northern Ireland has ever hosted, with 40,000 people invading Ward Park for Snow Patrol's second mammoth homecoming show (they'd previously headlined a slightly smaller show in 2007). With the band at the peak of their powers, full of confidence and in (sunny) familiar surroundings - it was set to be perfect. And as my review at the time tries to portray, it really was.
2. U2 - Botanic Gardens (26/08/1997)
Seems strange U2 had ignored troubles-ridden Belfast for over a decade before this return show - but with the help of a 50 metre wide LED, a 100 foot golden arch and a giant lemon, they certainly made up for lost time. Then the biggest gig the country had ever hosted (if you include the thousands of people watching from houses and hills surrounding the venue it's probably still the biggest), 'Popmart' coming to a Belfast on the verge of peace was a very special moment. Bono would return a few months later for another special gig - this time alongside David Trimble and John Hume at The Waterfront Hall.
Seems strange U2 had ignored troubles-ridden Belfast for over a decade before this return show - but with the help of a 50 metre wide LED, a 100 foot golden arch and a giant lemon, they certainly made up for lost time. Then the biggest gig the country had ever hosted (if you include the thousands of people watching from houses and hills surrounding the venue it's probably still the biggest), 'Popmart' coming to a Belfast on the verge of peace was a very special moment. Bono would return a few months later for another special gig - this time alongside David Trimble and John Hume at The Waterfront Hall.
Some grainy footage of the entire Botanic Gardens gig can be viewed on youtube.
1. Nirvana - The Kings Hall (22/06/1992)
Just seven months after the release of 'Nevermind', this show was part of a tour which found the band actually enjoying big shows before the fame started to mess with their heads. It's also memorable for an encounter outside the venue - Chris Black, from Whitehead, doing a deal with Courtney Love - the Hole singer paying Chris £30 for the now iconic 'Dennis the Menace' jumper which Kurt would go on to wear, numerous times. As this footage shows (watch to the end), Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic also made a couple of locals very happy by randomly handing out guestlist during an MTV interview (before skipping back to the venue, arm in arm). With The Breeders and Teenage Fanclub completing a triple bill, this is a worthy winner of Belfast's most legendary gig of the last 25 years!
Just seven months after the release of 'Nevermind', this show was part of a tour which found the band actually enjoying big shows before the fame started to mess with their heads. It's also memorable for an encounter outside the venue - Chris Black, from Whitehead, doing a deal with Courtney Love - the Hole singer paying Chris £30 for the now iconic 'Dennis the Menace' jumper which Kurt would go on to wear, numerous times. As this footage shows (watch to the end), Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic also made a couple of locals very happy by randomly handing out guestlist during an MTV interview (before skipping back to the venue, arm in arm). With The Breeders and Teenage Fanclub completing a triple bill, this is a worthy winner of Belfast's most legendary gig of the last 25 years!
