20-PERSON POLL: Over the past decade, the Other Voices concerts at St James's Church in Dingle, Co Kerry, have thrown up some fine musical moments. On this year's closing night, on Monday, UNA MULLALLYasked some of the people who'd been in the crowd to name the best gigs they had been to.
John Balfe
“Dan Auerbach, from The Black Keys, when he played solo at the Great Escape in Brighton in 2009 is up there. But LCD Soundsystem on September 4th, 2010, at Electric Picnic: that’s the definitive one.”
Deirdre Cahill
“Arcade Fire at the Massey Hall in Toronto. It was one of their first gigs for Funeral, and afterwards they all came off the stage and went outside, and we walked the streets of Toronto behind them in procession.”
Elaine Buckley
“Bruce Springsteen at the RDS in 2008. The second date, not the first one.”
Paul Willis
“The Radiohead Kid A tour gig in Punchestown. It was in a massive tent.”
David Kitt
“Nina Simone in New Jersey in 1996. It was at the New Jersey Arts Centre. That’s the top of the heap for me.”
Lorcan Lyons
“Rage Against the Machine at Oxegen. It was more than two years ago, I think – maybe four years ago.”
Molly King
“The National at Other Voices, maybe. I cried. No, actually, Amy Winehouse in the church [at Other Voices]. I was sitting at the very front on a cushion.”
Leanne Harte
“Leonard Cohen in Lissadell House two years ago.”
Shane Maher
“I think probably Lisa Hannigan in New York.”
Ben Fraser
“The xx in Edinburgh was amazing, but I think probably Watch the Throne [Jay-Z and Kanye West] at the O2. Not just the gig but the party afterwards as well. So much fun.”
Juno King
“The xx at Other Voices. It was amazing.”
Ellen King
“There’s been so many in the church, but I think I’d have to say Arcade Fire at Benicassim in 2011.”
Katie Coughlan
“I know what mine is: Elbow at Electric Picnic.”
Aoife McElwain
“There are so many, but one of the best was Billy Ocean at Vicar Street. I went with my friend Alan, and we were the youngest people there – in our 30s. It was super giddy fun; he was so charming and funny. And I also bought a Billy Ocean mug which is amazing.”
Finian Murphy
“The Mic Christopher tribute gig in Vicar Street.”
Andy Wilson
“AC/DC in Punchestown three years ago. Amazing. I don’t know what more you’d need from a gig than that. They’re meant to be touring again soon, so I’m there when that happens.”
Clodagh O’Connor
“Jay-Z and Kanye in the O2.”
Siobhan O’Keefe
“Florence and the Machine at Oxegen when they played in the Red Bull tent. Was that the first year she played? That one, anyway. ”
Niall Byrne
“Kraftwerk, Electric Picnic 2005. Man machines made music magic.”
Jack Gibson
“I’m probably the only person who’s going to say this, but Beyoncé at the O2. It was fab – she flew! She flew!”
