Thirteenth

Another amazing gig last night. Went together with two of my housemates. The concert started with an hour delay; as Irish custom requires. Supporting act was Louise Killeen, girl from Offaly. Together with her brother and friend. Not too bad though. They just looked a bit nervous. An Cruiscin Lan (which means something as the half full pint, Julia told me) is a beautiful venue. Pretty small. Think there were only about eighty people in there. Found three bar stools at the front. Good view so. As said, the supporting act was all right, but we were waiting for the big man himself of course. So when he appeared around nine, the real show could start. Was something wrong with the sound during the first three songs, but after Paul sorted that out, the gig took a flying start. Great songs, great stories, great audience. Saw the man just a couple of weeks ago in Brussels, in a big venue, at least 1.500 people, but those eighty Cork people effortlessly beated the big Belgian crowd in singing and creating great craic. Sang along not only with “Sunny Sailor Boy”, but also “City of Chicago” (which is even subject matter for the Leaving Certs students), “I’m not at war with anyone” and “Black is the colour” were well known songs by the audience. Think the show ended around half eleven, after an encore including “Acoustic Motorbike”. The barman had already flickered the lights for last orders. So our man told him he was actually “only warming up”. Had a short chat with him after the show. Definitely one of the best shows I saw him doing so far. And think my housemates are converted as well; from now on only Luka Bloom music in the kitchen….at least the next days.

John Spillane is coming to Cork again on the 22nd. Bought tickets this morning, while waiting for Pat to give me a lift to Mallow.

Saskia

Ps: fingers crossed for Ireland tonight. There playing against the Faroe Islands for a qualification in the World Cup. Hope there more lucky than Saturday in Landsdown Road, after giving away a 2-0 lead before the end of the first half. Next 45 minutes were really boring. Well…at least what the football concerned…the Israelic goalkeeper was showing off his actors skills more than once and that definitely brought in some entertainment. Never seen a more pathetic goal keeper in my live. He should have send off after his first “act”, but it was only in the fourth minute of the extra time that he got a yellow card of the Greek referee. Jazus.