[Olympia Dublin 2000-12-10/11].

As entertainment goes, there must surely be nothing to compare to the breathtaking beauty of an Undertones concert. The vibrancy and excitement that reaches out from the band easily captivates the audience so that everyone leaves the concert hall sweatier (or covered in perspiration for the more genteel female crowd), grinning, happier than when they arrived.

Ebeneezer Scrooge would not have needed visits by ghosts to enjoy the festive season if the Undertones had been playing. As it is we are blessed to witness and enjoy Derry’s finest. No following only one star at this festive season when we have the opportunity to see five stars live on stage. The modesty of the band is an understatement in itself.

They announced their arrival on stage by what sounded like “We’re here” before the first chords of Jimmy Jimmy reverberated around the Olympia. On the Sun night this resulted in a mass scrum as people pushed past me in an attempt to get closer to the stage. As it is on the second night (Monday) I was at the front of the hall so do not know if the same rush of people occurred.

The set continued with Family Entertainment, You’ve got my number, Gotta Getta, which Michael announced after had been played in a world record time of 1min 43 seconds. One fan who had arrived full of christmas spirit wearing a rudolph red nose was on the receiving end of Michael’s wit about the size of his probuscus. This resulted in a shout of Michael you’re my man, which Damian suggested was from Michael’s boyfriend, much to the amusement of the crowd.

On the second night I was able to hear most of the adlibbing between songs which I had been unable to hear at all the other venues this year. The jokes seemed to flow fairly thick and fast. Gotta Getta was followed by Here Comes the Summer, a more seasonal Here Comes Christmas had a brief rendition. Five songs into the set and already three brilliant singles had been played. The pace continued with Girls don’t like it, True Confessions, Girls that don’t talk.

I know on Monday night that one of the ‘Girls don’t songs’ was overlooked in error and had to be added to the encore. Two more singles followed with Wed Week and It’s going to happen. My dancing and jumping ceased momentarily for It’s going to happen. For some strange reason I have never been able to jump/dance in time to the song. Any way the break was well deserved as by now I must have lost the equivalent of a couple of pints of sweat. What I had lost my T-Shirt had gained.

The tempo continued with Male Model. By now Paul was in full flow. His confidence has multiplied ten fold since I first saw him at the Mean Fiddler. Tearproof followed before the tempo slowed with the haunting atmosphere of the single single Julie Ocean and my new favourite of the week, Soul Seven. I always refer to this song as blood, sweat and tears, since the title does not appear in the lyrics. A copy of the lyrics were on stage and I managed to acquire them after the concert. They were not nailed down so I assume they were there to take! Along with Bittersweet I think this is the joint best track on the Sin of Pride and I apologise for my oversight if I did not vote for it in 60 minutes.

In rehearsal the band had played (without vocals) a brief rendition of Bittersweet so hopefully it may get a full working at the Astoria next Monday. Probably my favourite single then followed with Get Over You followed by There goes Norman. That well known football fanzine followed with When Sat comes. A few more people were allowed in by security alongside me at the front of the stage for You’re Welcome.

I warned those around me carrying and drinking pints to find a suitable place to rest their pints before the next song, the anthem of Teenage Kicks blasted around the hall. Only three songs, Runaround, I know a girl and My Perfect Cousin were left to complete the set.

Five very appreciative Undertones left the stage to a tumultuous ovation. As expected the crowd were left wanting more, and were duly rewarded with More Songs about Chocolate and Girls, followed by the Girls don’t song missed from earlier in the set, Smarter than U, at which Paul practices a quite evil looking stare as he points at the audience. Well it scares the Sh1t out of me and finally Mars Bars.

The group leave the stage for a second time to as great an ovation (if not better) than they received the first time. Knowing a venue imposed curfew meant that there was only time for one more song on their return the stage, the Undertones proceeded to belt out Teenage Kicks one more time. To rapturous applause the band take their final bow to a very appreciative audience who have been lucky enough to witness a truly brilliant concert.

I know as a fan I am biased but I am confident that those who have attended either night in Dublin will have been converted to the faith. After the euphoria only another week before it all starts again. Oh I wish it could be christmas everyday! When people sing as the Undertones start to play. Roll on Monday.

by George

Snip Snap

A great selection of George's personal snaps from those magical years.

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