The Mighty Sinead O'Connor - State Theatre Sydney
Tuesday 18th March - GIG ONE - SOLD OUT!
This is the first time that Sinead has toured Australia. I thought I would never get the chance to see Sinead live in concert. (She retired from the live music scene a few years back) Id missed out on seeing her live in Dublin when I moved back to Ireland in 1994. So I was very excited when the tour was announced last year and I was very quick to get some good tickets for the State Theatre show on the 18 March.
It was the perfect way to top off a weekend full of Irish celebrations with family and friends for St Patrick's Day. Damien Dempsey played support, close friend to Sinead and also from Dublin. Id have to say Id not heard alot of his stuff, and what I had heard I wasnt that keen on. But live on stage, his passion for music was electric. He drew you in and took you on this rollercoaster of lyrics that started to get under your skin. Still not a fan of the recorded stuff, but Id def see him again live.
And now for the true star we had all come to see, the mighty, the beautiful, the talented Sinead O'Connor.
I have been a fan since the 1987 release of Lion and the Cobra, Ive followed her ups and downs and controversies with earnest, been saddened by news of her bi-polar and excited with her political statements, the more controversial the better, ie when she tore up that picture of the Pope she sent waves of mix opinons around the world.
Yay, she played alot of her earlier material. She was totally intoxication leaving me on the edge of my front row dress circle seat. (The State Theatre in Sydney for those who have never been has to be the most beautiful old theaters in Sydney if not Australia and was completely fitting for such a performer. Beautiful Plaster moldings, ornate ceilings, amazing galleries, good acoustics, lush interiors, old style huge ladies powder rooms - but I wont go on about the State, more praise is needed for Sinead, but you should try and see one act at least in the State).
She made me cry, twice! I found her awkwardness with the crowd charming. I found the dick heads yelling out irritating and embarrassing, I wanted to take her to a smaller venue, somewhere intimate where people appreciated her without having to yell out "play Three Babies, please play Three Babies" directly after she had just sang it. I wanted her selfishly all to myself. She gave me goosebumps and made me smile. Taking me on the musical journey that intersected my youth and a time when I was less sure of myself. I loved the journey. I love Sinead, I love her music, her quirkiness, her voice that is so powerful and not like anything I have ever heard.
Oh Ill have to come back for more!
Wednesday 26th March - Last Gig of Aussie Tour - Not Sold Out.
To Be Continued....
