Issue 5 7/98
Many of the big names were packed into this year's Guinness Fleadh at Finsbury Park, which was a successful event, given the gorgeous, sunny weather and (almost!) free flow of Guinness from the beer tents.
There were two stages, the Time Out stage and the main stage. The
latter saw the likes of Paul Brady, Mike Scott, Billy Bragg, Shane
MacGowan and the Popes, The Corrs, and finally, Brit-pop superstars,
James. The Time Out stage created a more cosy atmosphere with soulful
American folk-crooner Ron Sexsmith, Altan, John Martyn, Eddi Reader,
World Party, Dr. John, and (surprise!) Sinead O' Connor.
With a forty-five minute segment each, the artists played their set
to an enthusiastic crowd, complete with waving Irish flags, before
toddling off backstage and leaving the crowd to fight their way back
into the Guinness tents for refills and munchies. Highlights of the day
included an acoustc set with Paul Brady, and a Waterboys semi-reunion
with Mike Scott playing with old band members on guitars and bass. Billy
Bragg did a Woody Guthrie set, tying in with some material he had
recorded recently, which included the 'Trade Union Song'. "It would not
be a Billy Bragg show without a song about trade unions," he enthused to
the crowd, "so here's one for you."
Shane MacGowan and the Popes were on about dusk, which is probably an appropriate time for the man who has
raised more comments about his teeth and drinking habits than any other
legendary rock star. Yes, Mr. Paddy Rolling Stone himself walked onstage
with a sardonic grin and gin-wafting charisma, and then launched into a
foot-stomping 'If I Should Fall from Grace with God'. Something
distinctly ironic about the whole thing, maybe? All the old favourites
from the days of the Pogues were played, including 'Dirty Old Town' and
'Streams of Whiskey'.
The Corrs were next on the main stage, and opened a set which
included hits like 'Runaway' and 'I Never Really Loved You Anyway',
taken from their recent chart-topping album, 'Talk on Corners'. After
they left the stage, it was time to head down to the Time Out stage for
a glimpse of Sinead O'Connor, which meant an inevitable missing out on
James.
The decision was not regretted though, as Sinead O' Connor put on a
show which the audience (including myself) lapped up greedily. Sporting
her characteristic shaved head, O'Connor flirted with the audience as
her powerful vocals soared heavenward on tracks like 'Fire on Babylon'.
As the crowd joined in passionately on 'Nothing Compares to You', it was
not difficult to see why this lady has captured so many hearts
worldwide. Definitely a blissful way to end a day's intoxicating
immersion in with Irish/ Celtic music, which left me counting the days
till the next Guinness Fleadh in the big year, 1999.
Drawings by Annegret Haensel; more infos on the artist in the editorial.
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