Supporting Shakira: A Truly Surreal Story

So a few weeks on Twitter I joking asked if the legions of hip music types looking for Arcade Fire could get me one for Shakira. I was painfully excited about her incoming Dublin gig (her first time performing here) and didn't have the funds for a ticket. Suddenly I ended up on the guest list courtesy of Brian Spollen and considered myself the luckiest Shakira fan in the world. Then something amazing happened, Brian asked me if I would DJ before Shakira. That's right. I played it cool on the phone (I still can't believe how cool) but inside this was my face:

(photo courtesy of Peter Fingleton at www.sharpshock.com)

Anyway, before I know it I'm at the 02 waiting to DJ before Shakira. It was a surreal moment, hanging around one of the biggest venues in the country and trying not to freak out. Before I knew it I'm on stage in front of thousands of people. NO BIG DEAL. It was great fun although I wasn't my usual "raving behind the decks self" due to my crippling nerves. Still, the crowd were lovely and suitably enthusiastic. In case I had forgotten both Dynamite by Taio Cruz and Firework by Katy Perry make people go absolutely mental when you play them. Always good to know.

Shakira herself was suitably brilliant. I've been a fan for years so getting to see her perform was a real treat. She is clearly made for the stage. The stage set up was quite minimal but you wouldn't have noticed so busy was Shakira flying around the place.  She threw herself about the stage, bouncing over to enthusiastic audience members, gyrating in a manner that would put most starlets to shame and also gleefully moving between big hits and album cuts.


Shakira is clearly a star who has engaged with the English speaking territories on her own terms. Sure she wheels out the hits that we all know but the mixed, up for it audience went just as crazy for tracks like La Tortura and new tunes like Gordita (from her recent album Sale El Sol). The show was perfectly judged, starting with the star walking through the crowd and ending on a triumphant note with fans joining her on stage to perform the Waka Waka. In between you could see the potent mix of sexuality, business saavy, showmanship and songwriting craft that have made her on the most successful artists in the world.

I could go on but needless to say the evening was pretty incredible and a week later I still can't believe it happened. Big thank you to Brian and all at MCD for giving me the opportunity. And if you ever get the chance to see Shakira live, do not miss it!

Big big thank you to photographer Ruth Medjber for taking the shots of me playing and for letting me use them here. Check out Ruth's work on her blog and in Hot Press.

Friday Fun for the GAZE film Festival

If you've been knocking around Dublin at all recently you've probably caught the ads for the Gaze film festival. It's another knockout line up and I'm definitely looking forward to catching a few films at the festival. Not least the Stonewall documentary which sounds amazing. Check out the full line up at www.gaze.ie.

Before that there's a rather amazing shindig to be had at the Academy tomorrow night. Curated by Aine Macken (Who let's face it is a bit of a ride aswell as painter of great talent!), she's wangled a line up of great DJs from across town to play. And yours truly!

So expect tunes from DJ's Swish It Up (regulars at Cake, one of the best lesbian club nights in town), myself (tunes smith for The Beauty Spot obviously),  Ian Finnerty of supersuperdisco, Una Mullally of Soundcheck and the School of Let's Give A Conor A Go At DJing, Sure What's The Worst That Can Happen? Peter Fingleton, photographer and promoter of nights such as C U Next Tuesday, Ait Ait and many more , Sean John of new indie gay night R.I.P, Miss Macken herself and not forgetting the brilliant Mimi Rouge of Partie Monster.

The night is movie themed too so expect film tunes alongside a seperate area for performances. I'm not saying anything but I may have had my arm twisted to do a number or two in there while playing lots of Britney tunes. The scrapes I get myself into! Good god.

Find out more here and don't forget that the Gaze festvial runs in the Lighthouse Cinema until Monday! And don't miss Aine and Peter putting their own spin on the night. You won't want to miss Aine Macken's photo selection. Priceless!

An Open Letter to This Blog

Hi Blog,

How've you been? There was that day I wrote you a Sex and the City 2 review and you were mildly interested. There was a list of tunes I gave you and I'm sure you gave it a glance. But you've felt neglected haven't you? That 1,000 word plus Christina Aguilera piece just wasn't enough to keep you going was it?

Well I've been busy blog. It's no excuse is it? But I have.


There's the small matter of The Beauty Spot, the weekly club night I've been working with the last few months. It's been a whirlwind of pop up shops, make up top ups, hair experts and DJ sets so it's been eating my time up a tad!

Then there was the madness that was Oxegen 2010. Aside from heading to interview bands for 3 days there was lots of label pleading and scheduling to make it happen. Still the videos are starting to trickle out. Including me doing sped up Benny Hill dancing on a crazy golf course (sigh) and this beaut, my fave so far, the Oxegen Angelus:

I've been doing bits for Spin 1038 and DJ gigs at nights like Matchbox, bars like McGrattans (which is a bit of a hidden gem) and of course trying to maintain a healthy dose of shit telly every 3 days.


To sum up: lots has been going but now I'm going to try and win you back blog! Are you ready? I am, barely. But let's give it a go shall we?

yours,

Conor

Style At Set: Giving Easter a bit of Glam

Got any plans for the bank holiday weekend? I’m sure excessive chocolate consumption is one of them. Which is fair enough. BUT if you fancy doing something other than eating your own weight in the brown stuff then why not venture down to Kilkenny for  Absolut Style at Set?

Why not you say? Well first of all it’s all been masterminded by the amazing Blanaid Hennessy, of both Blanaid.com and The Stylebitches (she also writes about interiors for the Independent. Everyone I’m writing about these days is AWFULLY BUSY).

Second of all Style at Set is a weekend of fashionable films, talks, stalls and mentalness. The weekend is an exciting mish mash of talks by fashion experts, vintage fashion and furniture stalls and plenty of make up and beauty advice. It's all based around the opening of the new Set theatre in Langton's in Killkenny. I'm particularly excited for Saturday night. The Stylebtiches will be DJing  and I will be on after them to bring the night to a close. The dress code is demented which is quite exciting. Might rock a pair of these?

Demented.

All jest aside this should be a fantastic night and the weekend itself is going to be a real treat. I’m thrilled Miss Hennessy is having me down. But not only that, I’ll be joined by Helen O’Reilly of Style Nation who will be shooting lots of bits and pieces here and there and the lovely Eimear Fitzmaurice will be there taking snaps as is her wont.

For full details check out Blanaid’s blog, where you can find out more on the movies screening on the Friday, the vintage finds awaiting you on the Saturday, the glamourous location and how cheap those lovely tickets are. It’s going to be tip top so do pop down if you’re around. And then stuff your face with chocolate. Everyone’s a winner.

Dear Blog: An Open Letter

Dear Blog,

It's been awhile hasn't it? A week almost. I know it's been a bit patchy between us but I do care. I do. I've just been doing other things that have meant we've been missing out on our quality time.

Don't believe me? Well there is the small matter of Venntertainment, the other blog I write for. Yeah I know. I'm not betraying you, just keeping my options open. Because they've been kind enough to ask me to host a radio show I've been following up some of the show pieces on the blog.  So if you want to know how to brave Chat Roulette, make money as a musician, what should happen at awards shows (but doesn't), ways the internet could ruin your life or what celebs would be amazing to have tweet

Maybe you haven't heard the show but that's OK, if you click here you can catch up on all the podcasts so far. I mention you alot, isn't that one way of showing I care?

But don't worry I've done other stuff too, not least upload videos of me interviewing popstar types at the Meteors:

While also Live tweeting for IMTV at the Choice Music Prize, and also rehearsing for two (TWO plays) among other things. Not only that but I was on Spin 103.8 at the weekend talking about Marina and the Diamonds and Sugababes and filmed the lovely Sinead Ni Bhurda interviewing Ocean Colour Scene and Two Door Cinema Club for IMTV. Did I mention I finally finished the first season of 90210? It's been a crazy week.

So you see dear blog, I'm super busy but I'm going to give you a bit more time, I promise. So while I try and hunt down some dirt for you this week I'll also be doing the DJ thing (for both C U Next Tuesday and Come As Soon As You Hear) and attempting to soak up as much pop culture as possible.

Love ya blog,

Conor