September 18th, 2007
The return of Whelans
Any regular gig goer in Dublin will be aware that Whelan’s has been closed for refurbishment over the last couple of months. Tonight, the new look venue reopens its doors and word is that it has retained many of the things we know and love about it - but fingers crossed that icky Celtic stuff painted on the walls is gone.
First up to grace the new stage is Mick Harvey - he of Bad Seeds, Birthday Party and Boys Next Door fame. Earlier this year he released his second solo album Two of Hearts, after a cracking debut two years ago with One Man’s Treasure. One of two supports on the night is from the wonderful Adrian Crowley, whose new album Long Distance Swimmer is due out on Tin Angel Records (published by Domino Records) on November 12th. For more info, check out his website or myspace page for more details. First up tonight is American singer Devon Sproule.
Doors are 7.30pm and you can buy tickets (€20) from umack or on the door.
September 18th, 2007 at 11:34 am
Big Birthday party fan here but haven’t heard any of Mick’s solo stuff but I like my moany country stuff so it might be my kinda thing.
September 18th, 2007 at 11:38 am
Ps I didn’t even know Whelan’s had closed so that’ll show you how in touch with the gig scene I am!
September 18th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
D’you think the freaky statue at the back bar will still be there? I don’t know how many times I drunkenly apologised to that thing for bumping into him.
September 18th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
That statue is the bane of my life. Can’t count the number of times I’ve queued behind it waiting for the bar staff to get ‘his’ order out of the way and serve me.
September 18th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
You can see the piss offed expression on the bouncers faces every time it happens. I didn’t know it was being refurbished either, but then its a long time since I’ve been, although there was a while when I never seemed to be out of the place. Mick Harvey has an excellent Serge Gainsbourg tribute album, Intoxicated Man. Worth checking out.
September 19th, 2007 at 10:21 am
Dave, I’d definitely recommend One Man’s Treasure. Have to say though, I thought it was quite a disappointing gig. He had a double bass player and a guy on keys and he just needed a fuller band.
Edel, Una - guess what? Whelan’s wasn’t ready. The gig had to be moved to the Village and apparently there’s another week or so of work in it. But I hear that freaky man statue is gone!
Donagh, I haven’t heard that so I must try and pick it up.
September 19th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
I hate the statue man too! Bumping into him can cause serious injury (well, a very painful funny bone, anyway).
Mick Harvey rules. One of the funniest things I’ve ever seen is the bit in the Bad Seeds video collection where the band are talking about one rather pretentious video (can’t remember what song it was for) and Nick Cave is talking very seriously and quite flowerily about why it didn’t work, when Mick Harvey says, in tones of pure exasperation, “it was fuckin’ stupid!”