Category: Shows
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Gremlins of Mind & Sound – US Tour 2010
Tonight we play in SPACE, which is a phrase I’ll never tire of hearing. The final frontier. The beautiful and large venue, restaurant and recording studio in Evanston IL, is just north of Chicago. The area needed a centre like this for a long time, and the locals have really taken to it. We have…
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Can you hear the drums Charango? – US Tour 2010
Judging by the constant snow, the gritted roads, the ice forming on the windscreen – it should be really cold here, but it just doesn’t feel cold. We reckon it’s because there’s no moisture in the air – no humidity. Irish humidity levels are very high, so when it’s cold, it goes straight to your…
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Mostly Harmless – US Tour 2010
Still in driving mode today. We have to make ANOTHER 600 miles today in order to make Carbondale, CO. We’ll be cutting through Idaho, Utah and finally Colorado. Our day begins in Twin Falls, Idaho, where we pulled in late last night into our usual spot – Motel 6. Cheap and cheerfully consistent. The morning…
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Way from Oregon – US Tour 2010
I CAN HEAR THEM CALLING, WAY FROM OREGON Dock cranes loom up over the San Franciscan fog like herd of Freight-osaurus Rex, We’re leaving San Fran and heading up the coast to Portland. It’s Valentine’s Day and I’m travelling with two Irish guys for 10+ hours in a van. (In fairness, they have to travel…
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Ad Ventura – US Tour 2010
I’m writing this from the back seat of the Grotto’s new (second-hand) Chrysler, as we head northwards to Ventura, CA. We’ve just got the car today, hours before the deadline, and one day before we’re set to leave SoCal (Southern California to the uninitiated). It was an absolute steal. The car looks and feels new,…
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Long Beach Pear Plum – US Tour 2010
Last night we played our first show of the tour. The weather was okay – certainly nothing bad by Irish February standards, but the drizzle seems to affect Californians more than it does us. Luckily, the drizzle didn’t drive away the crowds, and we had a lovely, friendly crowd at the Art Theatre in Long…
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US Tour Summer 2009 – Stately Homes of Staten Island
NB. I’ve had some previously unpublished blogs from the US tour this summer that I’ve decided to release into the wild. They’ll be appearing here over the next couple of days. Hope you enjoy! The strange thing about New York for me, is that apart from the relatively new apartments, and slightly older skyscrapers… there…
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My Feet
It was the last evening of our tour, which we spent in the wonderful company of Alfonso Velez. We’re all feeling tired… but elated… and wired. We’re unable to process with any authority the events of the past few weeks. Mick and Kevin are arguing over something ridiculous in the street. Nobody can remember what…
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Marco… Polo…
I touched down in Boston on the 4th of June, and was picked up by Mick of The Guggenheim Grotto (or The Guggenheim Brothel, as people often mishear it). Kevin & Mick are in Boston to play at Club Passim, an old haunt of Dylan, Baez, and countless other folkies down through the years. Siobhán,…
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Fake Patrick’s Day
I’m typing this up after a day of sporting fever, or utter boredom – depending on which side of the fence you lie. Ireland finally won their first rugby grand slam title in 61 years, and Bernard Dunne is the new World Bantamweight Boxing Champion. Personally, I enjoyed it, but I won’t bore you with…