6/1/10
All I wanted to do since touching down in Dublin was see some live music. Despite a few previous misses, tonight delivered.
The last two nights, a small group of us were at The Church to be entertained and fed. The first night was a bust since we got there too late to eat. Last night we got some music, but we were on the opposite side of the building so we didn’t get to actually watch much.
Dr. Moloney brought up in class yesterday that she had thought about paying for our crew to go to the Abbey Tavern in Howth to see some live music and dancing. I was unsure what to think. I don’t know what type of music Dr. Moloney listens to, but I didn’t know if it would match the type of music I listen to.
It turns out that didn’t matter.
Right away, the band started playing the drinking song, “Whiskey in the Jar.” I’d never heard the Irish version, only the Metallica version. But I knew enough of that one to clap along to the tune and enjoyed myself the rest of the night with the music they played interspersed with traditional Irish dancing.
Seeing as I’m mostly into rock and metal music, the live shows I’ve been to vary in style greatly from what I witnessed tonight. I’m used to young males and their friends being dressed in ratty band t-shirts. A lot of them mosh, which, for the uninitiated, can range from anything to spinning one’s arms and legs in a ridiculous fashion to using a person as a battering ram to knock over a group of unsuspecting victims.
Tonight’s show featured none of that since we were all provided seats and our college class was the youngest group in there. In fact, most of the people looked to be north of age 40 or 50 dressed in nicer clothes than I’d see at any local rock/metal/hardcore show. Clapping was the preferred activity, not moshing.
While these two types of shows were different, there were a lot that felt the same. All members of the band tonight were very friendly and provided a lot of laughs, which is something that a lot of bands seem to have in common. The group tonight encouraged lots of audience participation, which is a must for any type of live event. Most of all, the biggest common factor was the fact that this was live music, and I love listening to live music. I have a real appreciation for anybody who can play an instrument because of the time and patience it takes, and also for anybody who has a great voice.
Abbey Tavern band CD I bought tonight for €5, you will accompany me home to Metamora in remembrance of a fantastic night in Howth. I just wish you had included “Whiskey in the Jar.”
