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Irish Examiner
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
The Saw Doctors review: Fans got everything they came for and more
Rain, you say? What rain? It was biblical on and off all day and then it turns Balearic just in time for a blistering show from The Saw Doctors in Virgin Media Park (Musgrave Park). Earlier in the afternoon, who'd have bet on the sun Gods smiling down on us? Not a drop. All we saw was a thunderstorm of emotion for The Saw Doctors from a stadium full of fans who got everything they came for and more. "It's great to be back in Cork, it's been too long,' says Leo Moran. 'When they asked us to play, we said we'd do it as long as we could have Damien Dempsey here with us. He's celebrating a big birthday this week.' The whole crowd sings Happy Birthday to Damo'. Davy Carton of The Saw Doctors on stage in concert at Virgin Media Park, (Musgrave park) on Saturday. Picture: Eddie O'Hare And we're off, wth gems like 'Tommy K' and 'To Win Just Once'. They kick off at 8:30 sharp and we're bouncing from the get-go. There's a chaotic joy to a Saturday night Saw Docs gig that's really only comparable to, say, a singalong soiree with a mega-hit band like The Pet Shop Boys. Unlikely bedfellows perhaps, but these two acts have a pair of powerful weapons in common. They both have around 18 chart-topping hits, coupled with a dedicated army of devotees who love nothing better than an excuse to reach deep into the closet for their most colourful carnival costumes, fizzing up a Rio vibe that explodes like a musical rainbow. "We came down to Cork last night to get tuned in," says Leo. "So we had a couple of pints in the Castle Inn. We'll have to warn ye about the snuff. Don't do too much of it. It's very addictive stuff altogether.' Leo Moran of The Saw Doctors on stage in concert at Virgin Media Park, (Musgrave park) on Saturday. Picture: Eddie O'Hare In the Mecca of rugby that is Musgrave Park, it seems more than a little rock 'n' roll for the Saw Docs fans, many decked out in GAA shirts, singing along to hits like 'What Do Ya Think A That?' and 'The Green and Red of Mayo'. The emotional fires are also stoked up by the enduring bond between joint lead singers Davy Carton and Leo Moran. It's unusual in a touring band to have two people steering the bus, but these lads never once skid off track. The Saw Docs have seen their share of lineup changes over the years, but this enduring pair of schoolmates have a Springer-O'Gara rapport that quietly weaves its way through the evening, inspiring a bonhomie that unites the ramshackle and the regal, the Primark and the Canterbury, for a night of bonding as heartwarming as a WWI Christmas ceasefire in the trenches. They played a bagful of hits. With the classics 'I Useta Love Her', 'N17' and 'Red Cortina', along with gems like 'Joyce Country Ceili Band', 'Clare Island' and 'Howya Julia', our voices were literally gone from singing along. Fans enjoying The Saw Doctors concert at Virgin Media Park, (Musgrave park) on Saturday. Picture: Eddie O'Hare The set finished at a little after 10pm. Not one person headed for the gate. Encores galore, rolling on towards 10:30pm when the first droplets of rain threaten to spit, but just about mind their manners. And, they even cover 'After All' by the Cork legends Frank & Walters. What more could you want? Tonight the Gods are from Tuam. Joyfully exhausted, elated, thankfully we have the Sunday off to squeeze out our shirts (thankfully and surprisingly, not our socks), plenty of time to get ready for a fresh dose of reality, with a jukebox of West Coast coolness rattling around in what remains of our sobering minds. Read More Review: A homecoming for Macklemore as he shares Cork family links
Time Out
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Hark back to 80s Hong Kong nightlife with Canton Disco's anniversary party
Step back in time to Hong Kong in the mid-1980s. This was a time of vigorous development, upward mobility, and a distinctively cosmopolitan city lifestyle that gave rise to our thriving pop culture scene, multicultural politics, and famous entertainment that we were globally renowned for. For many, this was the golden age of Hong Kong culture, and for one night this month, we can return to that glitzy era. Our city's most iconic nightclub of the 80s, Canton Disco, is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a one-night comeback. Back in the day, the Tsim Sha Tsui hotspot was the thumping heart of our nightlife, opening nine times a week for fashionable revelry and regularly welcoming superstars like Leslie Cheung, Anita Mui, and Danny Chan, as well as hosting performances and appearances from globally famous artists such as Eartha Kitt, Kylie Minogue, The Pet Shop Boys, New Order, Sylvester Stallone, and more. Canton Disco's original space has now become Hermes' flagship store on Canton Road, but its legacy still lives on – and we are all invited to soak in the nostalgia-filled glamour of our city in the 80s at Trilogy on Saturday, May 17. The club's original founder and celebrated DJ Andrew Bull aka DJ El Toro will be there to helm the night, and if you were of the generation who frequented Canton Disco, then you might also recognise some of the original DJ team, bartenders, and regular on-stage artists live at this special event. We are also promised some famous celebrities who'll make an appearance so keep your eyes peeled! The Canton 40 event will be spread across all three floors of Trilogy's space, with a private bar jam session in Ella, the OG Canton Disco DJ crew spinning in Keyz, and outdoor partying with live tunes on the Wav Rooftop. Tickets are available for $580, with VIP tickets also available for those who want to party in style.
