Horslips Newcastle Polytechnic 1978
This gig was at the time of Horslips The Man who built America lp. I think I may have seen the band in the early 70s at a festival or two (Buxton I think) but this was the first time I went to see Horslips in their own headlining concert. I’d heard their seminal lp The Tain, and was blown away by it. If you haven’t heard of Horslips these guys were poineers of Irish celtic rock, blending traditional Irish music with rock. They have been cited as influences on many bands which were to follow including U2, and others. From a scholarly work by John Murphy: “They inspired the likes of U2 and the Irish punk and new-wave rock musicians who followed them, and without the pioneering efforts of Horslips, Irish music and culture today may never have reached its current success, three decades later.” (Estudios Irlandeses, Number 3, 2008, pp. 132-142). Horslips in concert were everything I expected and better; great Irish rhythms, catchy pop/rock songs. This was a major tour for the band, possibly the biggest they ever did in the UK, taking in large concert halls such as Glasgow Apollo and Hammersmith Odeon, and an appearance on the Old Grey Whistle Test. The programme declares that it was the “American Tour”, but this was simply a play on words taken from the title of their album of the time. cI’ve always fancied seeing the band again, but have never had the chance to do so. I know that they recently reformed, so perhaps I’ll get the chance to go to another Horslips concert one day.
8 Mar
Vintagerock's Weblog. 