Ok so this is my first post here on gigsoc.com and I can’t think of a better way to get started than with my top ten gigs from 2008, I have tried to be brief in my few words about each of them, I could have easily written for hours on all of them but for the sake of reason I have held back. So without further ado here’s the list -

1. Tom Waits in the Pheonix Park 31/07/08

It almost goes without saying that this would be at the top of the list, Tom Waits tours about as frequently as a solar eclipse occurs so anticipation for this gig was through the roof. And Mr Waits did not disappoint delivering an epic performance of more than two hours. The good people at NPR have provided a pod cast of his Atlanta gig here for any fans that missed out.

2. Grinderman at the Electric Picnic 31/08/08

I was going to list the Electric Picnic as a whole here in the number two spot but instead I have opted to single out my highlight of the festival. Nick Cave, Warren Ellis, Martin P Casey and Jim Sclavunos gave a charged performance as Grinderman in the Electric Arena on Sunday 31st of August. As one of my fellow giggers said on the day, It’s like Grinderman is Nick Caves dirty mistress and the passion that was lacking at the Bad Seeds Dublin Castle gig earlier in the year went into overdrive here.

3. Bon Iver in Tripod 07/10/08

Justin Vernon’s album For Emma, Forever Ago is easily one of the best of the last year and his Tripod gig in October delivered a set list that, in my opinion, more than did it justice. Attendees enjoyed a performance mixed with high energy tracks (anybody there will remember the screamfest!) and the intimate poetic tracks that we know and love.

4. Muse in Marley Park 13/07/08

The world is divided into two types of people, those who love Muse and those who have yet to see them live. As expected the English rockers delivered a monster set full of favourites old and new accompanied by stunning visuals adding up to a highly enjoyable show.

5. Crete Boom in The Boom Boom Room 19/06/08

I could have picked any Crete Boom gig from venues all over this fair city to list in this spot and after much consideration I have settled on one they did back in June in The Boom Boom Room on O’Connell Street. Crete Boom rocked the intimate but enthusiastic crowd in their own uncompromising style leaving fans old and new alike wanting more.

6. Richard Hawley in Vicar St 15/02/08

I have been a fan of the Sheffield native for a number of years and this was my first opportunity to catch him live. It was an engaging and enjoyable gig. Hawleys’ good humoured banter between songs only enhanced the performance. Tonight Mathew… The Streets are ours.

7. Mick Flannery in the Button Factory 04/12/08

I first encountered Mick’s music when I heard it playing in a pub in Cork a few years back and I became an instant fan buying his CD, which was available behind the bar, after hearing only a couple of songs. Since then I have caught him performing twice, once in Whelan’s and a second time just over a week ago in The Button Factory. On both occasions he played a cracking set. His unwillingness to engage the crowd in between songs only seems to endear him to them more. Mick is destined for big things.

8. Eels Vicar St 18/03/08

With the documentary Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives, charting Mark’s quest to get to know his late father, in place of a support act there was an unusual vibe ahead of this gig’s main show. The show itself comprised Mark Everett accompanied by “The Chet” and an assortment of instruments. With the gig including a brilliant selection of songs, general goofing around and even a reading from Marks Autobiography, Things the Grandchildren Should Know, the evening was a surreal experience but also thoroughly mesmerising.

9. TV on the Radio in Tripod 17/11/08

With TVotR’s latest album Dear Science being another one of the best from the last twelve months anticipation was high ahead of this gig. And the New York band did not disappoint, they delivered a high energy almost non stop performance. the only downside being the length of the gig with the main part coming in at just under an hour but still a gig well deserving of a place in my top ten.

10. Duke Special in the Olympia 25/11/08

This was my third outing to see the magic of Duke Special and his band and once again he did not let down. He delivered a fine mixture of tunes old and new along with his customary theatrical antics and crazy costumes on a stage that was reminiscent of Tom Waits in the Pheonix Park. The Belfast man even treated fans to what can only be described as an exceptional cover of The Specials – Ghost Town…. Please stand for the national anthem J

So that’s it, well… so far anyway the year isn’t over yet!!

Please feel free to comment/agree/disagree on the above, looking forward to your thoughts.

Squinty