As mentioned in other reviews, Hope took to the stage at 10.40. Before the gig we were informed of the rules from the bouncer, who assured us if we attempted to take photographs etc we would be ejected...
Roisin Dubh is a small venue, around 200 capacity and it was full. We were at the front of stage, 4 feet from Hope and the band. The lighting was minimal as expected, but as its such a small venue we could see the band very well, and the dim lighting was very atmospheric..and of course very flattering light for Hope! Who looked as beautiful as all her photos would suggest.
It was our first time to see her live, and we were very excited! We met some other lovely excited fans in the crowd, so there was a nice jovial atmosphere. Before she took to the stage the excitement was palpable!
The band were incredible, the sound was good, lots of echo! Hopes vocals were low, but it still sounded wonderful.
Set list: which we managed to get from the stage!
Courting blues
thinking like that
Blanchard
Willow
Around my smile
charlotte
Roses
Trouble ( was a highlight, the crowd loved it!)
Bluebird
Susanne
For the rest of your life ( long extended jam... excellent!!)
Encore:
Satellite
Feeling of gaze
There were a couple of exchanges with the audience..when they left the stage before the encore, the crowd got very vocal clapping for encore, and so continued to cheer and clap when they returned. A very happy girl beside me shouted to Hope excitedly.. "you are so great, thanks for coming to galway, etc" to which Hope replied " be quiet lady, you are distracting me!" A couple of people shook her hand.. it almost looked like they may hop on stage! one guy asked her to sign his set list for him, and she said " not now" or something as they were still playing. Then my wonderful partner shouted "play 3 songs for encore instead of 2".. and she turned and looked at him in disbelief..! he then apologised and said "sorry that was rude" and she nodded in agreement! They played two songs for encore, despite his excellent suggestion!!
At some stage The bass player made some mistake with echo or something and had to restart a song, and the crowd gave him a reassuring cheer. He was lovely, and i think the band would have been up for more of a rapport with the audience if allowed!
Irish audiences like to participate, and make our appreciation felt!! I cant review each song individually, all I can say was that it was a languid,intimate, blissful gig, I was totally lost in the music. An Enjoyable night, and great at last to see Hope and The warm inventions in Ireland.