#ireland

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Please enjoy this doodle of four leaf clover with a face on it.

Ireland’s national broadcaster RTÉ does not have a long, glittery history of producing great drama. Love/Hate is a huge exception. Focusing on Dublin’s notorious gangland, it is a cutting edge gritty show which shows the volatility of the drug market in Ireland’s capital city.

There have been three short seasons already aired in Ireland, sixteen episodes in total. Currently a fourth season is in production and is scheduled to air next winter. It is hotly anticipated and it is likely that the show will continue to be screened in other countries.

Love/Hate features standout performances from Aiden Gillen, Robert Sheehan and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor. Gillen, known for excellent performances in Queer As Folk and The Wire, plays livewire drug-boss John Boy who runs rule over a dangerous and trigger happy gang. Robert Sheehan is outstanding in the role of Darren, a sensitive soul whose morals become undeniably compromised through a series of dramatic twists and turns. Lawlor delivers a huge black comedic performance as Nidge, a ruthless enforcer who will do whatever it takes to achieve his goals.

The whole cast are to be commended although it must be stated many are far too attractive to truly fill the role of participants in Dublin’s rough drug trade. Aside from that, Love/Hate is extremely realistic and honest in its depiction of the brutality of this dangerous industry. It also acts as a social commentary by showing how the drug trade is one of few booming sectors in post-Celtic Tiger Ireland.

RTÉ received intense criticism for excessive violence throughout the show’s run, especially a graphic rape scene. The show floats between aggression and viciousness to dark humour with ease as the camaraderie between the characters is played out. The third season finished in superb dramatic style but it remains to be seen how much longer it can go on.

Johnny Marr is a massive name in the music world so naturally a huge draw for a small venue like The Limelight. The former Smiths guitarist looked as energised as ever stepping out on his first full solo tour if you discount his collaborations with the Healers a decade ago.

His album The Messenger is a strong effort and the majority of the songs come off very well alive. The First Thing Right, the title track, European Me and New Town Velocity sound as vibrant as anything he has done in the years since the dissolution of the Smiths. Songs like I Want The Heartbeat and Upstarts are lightweight numbers but are drowned out by keeping company with earlier adored cult classics.

The loudest roars of the evening are reserved for tracks from his peerless years with the so-called Manchester miserablists. His guitar parts on Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before, London and Bigmouth Strikes Again launched the crowd into collective looks of wonder and exhilaration. In fact, his musical proficiency is so composed that one does not even miss Morrissey on the vocals

Marr fails to disappoint in any way, filling the stage whilst dressed immaculately and as ever sporting a superb haircut. Tracks written with New Order’s Barney Sumner from the Electronic side-project sound just as good as anything he has ever recorded. Forbidden City and Getting Away With It sound excellent although their reception is slightly muted.

The encore is magical featuring a rousing rendition of I Fought The Law, popularised by The Clash and the Smiths duo of How Soon Is Now and There Is A Light That Never Goes Out. Despite this blast from the past, Marr appears a fresh figure and the night does not draw too heavily on sentimentality and nostalgia. The opportunity to see one of the world’s best guitarists in such a small venue is one savoured by all in attendance.

U2 come in for a lot criticism, much of it unwarranted. Their huge success is bound to bring a plethora of jealous detractors but there is no denying the songwriting talent that the group has consistently crafted over three decades.

With Or Without You, One and Pride are known by all but one of the U2’s finest assets over the years has been their strength in depth. They have countless album tracks which could have been Number One singles with the right push.

I have compiled a list of ten such songs which are adored by the group’s most vociferous fans, perhaps due to them being less familiar on radio or in the mainstream.

Out Of Control

Two Hearts Beat As One

The Unforgettable Fire

Running To Stand Still

God Part II

Ultraviolet (Light My Way)

Stay (Faraway So Close!)

Do You Feel Loved

Wild Honey

Electrical Storm

Their 2002 single Electrical Storm was released to coincide with the release of the 1990-2000 compilation. It remains one of the finest tracks they recorded following their 2000 comeback which saw them reclaim their spot as the biggest band in the world. Two versions of Electrical Storm exist, both with William Orbit on production duties. The video is directed by Anton Corbijn and is a joy to behold.