Volume 1 (1999/2000)
Issue
1 (March 1999)
Issue
2 (Nov. 1999)
Issue 3 (Dec. 1999)
Issue 4 (Feb. 2000)
Issue 5 (March 2000)
Issue 6 (April 2000)
Issue
7 (May 2000)
Volume 2 (2000/2001)
Issue 1 (Sept. 2000)
Issue 2 (Oct. 2000)
Issue 3 (Jan. 2001)
Issue 4 (March 2001)
Issue 5 (April 2001)
Issue 6 (May 2001)
Volume 3 (2001)
Issue 1 (Sept. 2001)
Issue 2 (Nov. 2001)
Categories
Sport: 1
2 3
Lifestyles: 1 2
3
Commentary: 1 2
3
Review: 1 2
3
Writing: 1 2
3
Event: 1 2
3
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Derek Dunne
Col. Eanna, Ballyroan
"I find the sunshine beckons me
To open up the gate
And dream and dream..."
Eighty thousand people have dreamt of the gates of Slane Castle welcoming
them to the greatest show of the summer. Finally, on 28th August that
fantasy became a reality; a dream come true for fans and performers alike.
I'm not sure who was happier; Robbie Williams or the legions of fans
who had come to see him. One thing is for certain: everyone came away
exhilarated.
After the initial rush, an easygoing atmosphere descended on the castle
grounds, as people found themselves a spot to enjoy the day's festivities.
'Madcap' isn't the word for some of the hats on show during the day, as
the masses got into the spirit of things.
First up was the only Irish act Simon Carmody, followed closely
by the extremely happy 'Happy Mondays', the lead singer's preferred weapon
being a pair of maracas. These led into 'Gomez' and 'Placebo', both of
which have built up a sizeable fan base throughout the British Isles.
The change in atmosphere was almost tangible as the first of the headline
acts, 'Stereophonics' came on at about six o'clock. At this stage
people started vying for vantage points for the highlight of the evening.
The countdown had begun. Some were so desperate for a good view that 'Human
Pyramids' began to spring up among the crowd, but most of these were extremely
short lived. Stereophonics really played to the crowd, as Slane turned
into somewhat of an enormous sing-along for the following two hours. With
such anthems as 'Just Looking' and 'Pick A Part That's New', as well as
the classic 'The Bartender and the Thief', Stereophonics had the crowd
going wild and itching for more as they left the stage shortly after 8
o'clock. Not surprisingly, they are already tipped to headline the venue
next year.
If the previous acts were electrifying, then Robbie Williams caused a
meltdown as he burst on stage. He knew what the crowd was looking for
and that's exactly what he gave them, kicking off with a real crowd starter
'Let Me Entertain You'. Even the sun was overshadowed by the ex-Take That
star as the sky above Slane dimmed to make way for the spectacular light
show that accompanied the music. Although the entire show was televised,
that didn't stop this performer pulling some 'cheeky' stunts. He bared
his buttocks not only to the unshockable teenagers present, but also the
easily shocked couch potatoes watching at home.
It's one thing to watch eighty thousand people waving lighters around
to the tune of 'Angels', it's quite another to be one of them. Not only
did Williams play his own material both old and new, fast and slow, but
he also did some great cover versions such as 'It's Not Unusual', 'Wonderwall'
and 'Song Two'. He even stopped half way through 'Should I Stay or Should
I Go' as there was not enough "bouncing" in the VIP section.
Rumour has it that U2, who watched from backstage, were going to join
Robbie on stage as he sang their hit 'One', but he was doing such a good
job of it that they decided to leave him to it.
As the night reached a climax, he was firing on all cylinders for a rendition
of Millennium, with a Laser light show overhead. And it isn't Robbie's
style to leave quietly- as he ran off stage, the Star Wars theme was pumped
out of the giant speakers as the night sky erupted with a dazzling fireworks
display. (And I still have a creak in my neck to prove it!).
For a gig that has been going since the early 80's, this year's spectacle
has to take top spot.
In my opinion, Slane has now established itself as a major priority on
anyone's concert calendar, and I for one will be at the top of the queue
next year.
After all "Life's too short to be afraid".
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