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My first gig was going to see The Corrs, it was right at the height of their fame, around the time of ‘Runaway’ which I adored. I think I was around 10 years old and I was absolutely blown away by the atmosphere in The Point and in seeing them all sing live (even Jim!). Definitely a night I won’t forget.
My first gig is the reason I cry whenever I hear the words “Chica Cha Ha Ha”. My life changed after seeing Boyzone with my mum at the tender age of fourteen. I knew every word to every song, from the tape that I played on repeat in my mum’s car on the school run. I still remember every detail of that evening, from what I was wearing (tear off Adidas tracksuit bottoms and a purple Biba top) to the row I was sitting in (ten rows back from the front). That last detail is especially relevant because of the most special moment of the night, the moment I replayed in my mind for months. Stephen Gately — love of my life and poster boy above my bed — looked “directly at me”. I wept and wept in the car home, determined to find a way to bring us together. Alas, it was not meant to be. But Stephen Gateey (RIP) will forever have a space in my heart.
It was probably my pinnacle of cool. It was 1996 (I had to Google that). I was 13. I was with my friend Ciar. And we were at an Oasis – Prodigy – Bootleg Beatles gig without any parents. I suspect my dad heard the word “Beatles” and was okay with us going from Wicklow to Cork for the concert, but the clincher was probably Ciar’s “cool” uncle who was home off the cruise ships and accompanying us.
I actually have no idea how it all unfolded but all I know is we were there and it was the first of many times I danced with abandon at a gig. It was impossible not to – the energy of ‘Firestater’ pumped through the stadium setting the crowd up for the dynamic duo who, at the time, could do no wrong. And that night, they did no wrong. They were on fire, their voices incredible and they were in top form. There was a celebratory feel as they celebrated their Irish heritage with family in the crowd. I remember it being sunny, in contrast to the many rock concerts that followed, but I’m open to being fact checked on it. I do know the tickets were less than £25 and I know it’s still up there in my Top 10 of gigs over the years.
I was 13 and I went with my two best friends to Sunstroke ‘95, a day-long indoor rock festival in the RDS. I remember getting dropped off outside by my friend’s mum and the giddy excitement of finally going to a gig (I had begged to go the year before but quite sensibly been denied).
It was an epic day with sets from Mudhoney, Pennywise and White Zombie, but Soundgarden headlining was everything. I’d never experienced anything like it. That voice, those piercing eyes, there was no one like Chris Cornell.
I can still feel the thrill of the bass and the drums in my chest, the long haired boys and the sweat on the walls. The hanging around chatting between bands, making friends with randomers through mutual love of music, belting out every word to every song and the camaraderie of it all.
Now I find it hard to believe that my parents let me go — three underage girls and not a mobile phone between us — but hey, it was the ’90s. I’ve been to many different types of gigs over the years but I have to say you can’t beat a ’90s rock crowd!
My first concert was SO noughties-esque. It was my 15th birthday and my favourite two gifts were crackled nail polish (remember how cool that was?!) and tickets to see Glee in concert – yes, I was a major Gleek. For those too cool to know what show that is, it follows a cringe-worthy high school teacher as he puts together a talented Glee Club, who experience all the awkwardness of teenagehood.
On the day, my mom dropped my friends and me off just outside the theatre, where we were met with a sea of tracksuits (an ode to the iconic Sue Sylvester) and red foam fingers in that signature ‘L’ shape. The atmosphere was buzzing with teen excitement and when the cast took the stage, it was just like watching the show live.
They remained in character throughout the concert, and their singing and dancing were phenomenal. We sang along all night, belting out Lady Gaga, Journey, Rihanna and Usher to name a few, then raced to the merch booth to snag t-shirts and signed CDs, both of which I still treasure to this day.
