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June 6th 1998, London, Fleadh Festival, Finsbury Park

1) Emperor's New Clothes
2) Thief Of Your Hear
3) Stretched on Your Grave
4) Jackie
5) This Is A Rebel Song
6) The Dreaming Of The Bones
7) Nothing Compares 2 U
8) In This Heart
9) Fire On Babylon
10) Last Day of Our Acquaintance

By; Ross Martin

In spite of the weather forecasts it had been a beautiful sunny day in London's Finsbury Park. There were two stages, the main one and the smaller Time Out stage which was in a large open sided tent. At first I thought it was a bit of a shame that Sinead was on the small stage but in the end I think it was better because there were so many people coming and going all the time at the main stage.

By the time Sinead was due on stage the tent was crammed full of people with more standing on the outer edges. The show was due to start at 9-45 but the time came and went. Finally, about twenty five minutes late she came onstage to a rapturous welcome looking much more like the Sinead of old with her shaved head and not in the least bit fat. She launched into Emperors New Clothes but there seemed to be a lot of feedback on the stage though she didn't look too bothered by it. Next came Thief of Your Heart in which she introduced flute player Davey Spillane onto the stage. Stretched on Your Grave proved we were into well worn territory and it began to look like we were going to get a re-run of the previous year's set. Then out of the blue she hit us with Jackie, a song not heard for many a year.

After this she introduced us to her new guitar of which she seemed very proud and played This Is a Rebel Song on her own. It was a nice departure from recent years to see her with a guitar again. Next was a new song which I can't remember the name of, a very haunting song in which the flute and Sinead's voice interweaved and followed each other accompanied by acoustic guitar, bass and soft strings.

After this was a song that started with flute and acoustic guitar. When she sang the first words, " It's been seven hours.." the place erupted. What followed was more like a choir than a gig by a solo artist as almost everyone in the place sang along to Nothing Compares 2 You. I wouldn't be surprised if James on the main stage couldn't hear themselves over the joyous crowd in the Time Out tent. It was one of those occasional moments which send a shiver down your spine to hear an artist sing their most famous song and realise how deeply it has ingrained itself into popular culture. Thousands of people who must have sung along to this song in their bedrooms, in the bath, in the car reaching back to a common moment in their past and reliving it with the woman who imprinted it on their minds.

This seemed to have thrown Sinead and her band off course a little and she launched into In This Heart which seemed a bit perfunctory ( and some of the backing vocals were pretty dire ). Next she did Fire on Babylon which was amazing. I've heard it a couple of times before and I've never heard her sing it this well. When she sang FIRE! at the end it was like she was calling for the entire London Fire Brigade. Whoever the song was aimed at ( her mother ? I've often wondered about that) must have heard wherever they were.

She ended the set with Last Day of Our Acquaintance as usual and left the stage never to return ( although I think there was a curfew at the Fleadh because it is in a residential area). It all seemed like it was over very quickly ( it was a very short set ) but I felt it distilled the essence of Sinead really well. There were other songs she could have done but it just seemed really well balanced. If I had just come along to see Sinead I might have been a little disappointed ( although I was, because World Party's set was cut very short by technical problems) but in the context of a festival and at the end of a long day I thought it was O.K.( although I had other things on my mind by this time) She sang really well; even for her!

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by; Matthias Radestock

I agree with Ross that it was a truly special night. Sinead was in top form - I've never heard her sing that well. It appears that, contrary to what she said in some interviews a while ago, she is not embarrassed anymore to play her earlier songs. She introduced "Jackie" with the words "I wrote this song when I was about 15 - so that explains it" ;) It was a real delight to see her so happy, particulary as the crowd erupted and sang along NC2U. I hope this reception provides enough justification for adding a couple of solo gigs in Europe. It's a shame it was all over so quickly, although in the end Sinead still did 10 songs

It seemed Sinead could have carried on for another 10 songs ! However, I do know from previous years that there is a strict 11pm curfew and that she would have been in *big* trouble had she continued.

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by; Mars-L

Friday; early in the morning our plane took of heading for London.

Saturday; Stood up early to be on time in Finsburry to see "Ghostland" (Sinead's band without Sinead and Kenny with added some other players). With our guest-tickets we were allowed to walk backstage (not onstage that is ;-), just the Guest-Area) there where all the bands walking and drinking and just sitting. I've seen most of Sinead's band members several times almost bumbed against the women of the band. Also got in easy with a camera and a tape recorder. (didn't bring in a video-camera because that would ruin the fun of experiencing the concert, sorry). Ghostland was on within 10 minutes after we got in. Their music (atleast the concert) is a kind of mixture of Irish Folk, Pop and Rai (Rai is an Algerian folkmusic with (when used for rai) controvercial lyrics like the music of Cheb Khaled and Abdel Ali Slimani). It's mainly instrumental music with human voice as one of the instruments (there weren't any lyrics, just lalala's, again; that's what the concert was, don't know about the album). I liked the music a lot and intent to buy the album, even if there wasn't any Sinead vocal on it. BTW; Can someone provide me the phonenumber of that that verrrrrrrry good looking violin player, I almost forgot to listen to the music during the concert ;-). If someone knows her; tell her not to wear the same short-dress again, cause the underwear was getting my attention all the time (she wore black underpants). Tell her I'm sorry bout that.

After ghostland we've seen lots of other bands like WorldParty, Shane McGowan (ofcourse drunk as usual), David Gray, Altan, The Bootleg Beatles and more.

During World Party we tried to get in front as much as possible, just to make sure we would be on the best places when Sinead would do her concert. After World Party ended we had to look/listen to Dr. John, nice music (funk/blues) but not really Sinead. During Dr. John we already were in the middle of the front row, so we couldn't stand better ;-)) Then finally Dr. John finished his performance and it was time for the stage builders to build Sinead's stage. They had 20 minutes to do that, but because of trouble with some instruments (mainly the cello) it lasted 35 minutes so that would leave just 45 minutes for Sinead to perform ;-(((((((( insteed of the meant 60 minutes.

But finally there she was. Officially only the pros where allowed to take pictures for only the first song, so after the first song they had to leave. But I took pictures during the entire show ;-))))) (they're not ready yet) She performed the next songs; 1) Emperor's New Clothes 2) Thief Of Your Heart 3) I Am Stretched On Your Grave 4) Jackie 5) This IS A Rebel Song 6) Dreaming Of The Bones.... NEW!!!!!!! 7) Nothing Compares 2 U 8) In This Heart 9) Fire On Babylon 10) The Last Day Of Our Acquaintance

Jackie was done solo with an accoustic guitar.

This IS A Rebel song was contributed to "The Death People Amongst Us meaning the ghosts" (GHOSTLAND) Dreaming of the bones will (as Matthias wrote) be on Davey Spillane's new album, to be released in July). I isn't a really good song (New Age like), and her lyrics weren't very clear to hear. After that the biggest suprise happened; Sinead performed NOTHING COMPARES 2 U!!!!!!! Didn't she say for years that she will NEVER perform that song again because she didn't want Prince to make any money of it by singing it and having to pay the copyrights......

Starting with 3 notes was enough to make the crowd go really wild and sing very loud along. You could barely hear Sinead sing it herself. She enjoyed it really a lot seeing the crowd go that wild, and laughed a lot. The list was short ;-( because of that 15 minutes delay, and according to the official setlist used by Sinead (saw one of them) it was meant they would also perform On Raglan Road Redemption Song He Moved Through The Fair and another one, Janet has the list and will probably let you know....... Just before NC2U there was a discussion on stage between Sinead and backstage managers about Shane McGowan (I saw her lips mentioning his name several times) I thing it was meant they would do a duet together (Haunted ?) but as with Pinkpop'95 where this also was meant to happen, he probably was to drunk to get on stage. As last year the bandmembers joined Sinead on vocals during In This Heart, new (if I remember it good) was that now also John and the keyboardist Kenny joined the vocals also. Kenny looked a little nervous, probably his first live "vocal appearance"?? Sounded good ! During the concert the mics peeped a lot of times, at one point the flute couldn't be heard while he was meant to be the main instrument. The guitar had some problems which couldn't be repaired so he had to go on with it. And and one point he hit his mic which gave a loud BANG and some high peeping (hurted everybodies ears). About Sinead; Her hair was at it's shortest now, you can see the scarf at the back of her head again. To me she looked a little scary, unhealthy thin. She wore a very modern pair of kaki-pants with pockets on each leg, sandals with high soles, a red shirt and a vest over it. Even though there were a lot of problems with the equiptment it looked like she did enjoy the the concert. She smiled a lot and talked between several songs.

The tour should be named "So Far The Best Tour". However you read the line it's right. It's a tour of the So Far The Best Album. And at least to me it was So far the best tour I've seen.

After the concert I ran to go backstage (okay; Guest-Area) but didn't see anyone of them, besides that, what's they to say to them....... "You were great" ??? So we left. The day after we drove around London being a real tourist, had lots of fun, found something on the ground somewhere in the middle of London which payed all our expenses including flight etc.......

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By Mandy;

I arrived at front of the Time Out stage shortly after midday where I met Marcel and Sandra. I got there just in time to catch Ghostland's brilliant set - all the while hoping that Sinead may make a guest appearance to perform the songs that appear on their eponymously named debut - a girl can hope, can't she?! The band left such a good impression on me that I can't wait to hear their album. Even without Sinead's guest vocals, I would still recommend that you rush out and buy it! Irish, Rai, Middle-eastern influenced, ethereal music - an unlikely mixture that works ;) 9 hours (and several good bands) later it was time for Sinead - or rather it should have been !! Maybe my hopes and expectations were too high, (I've been fortunate enough to have seen all of Sinead's headline gigs in London since 1987, so I have a strong basis for comparison), but I have to say that, unlike Marcel, it was NOT the best Sinead performance I've ever seen - NOT Sinead's fault though, I have to stress!. The technical problems when they were preparing the stage, Sinead's delayed entrance - hence a far too short set, the feedback problems, Sinead's microphone being down way too low for her voice (she indicated to the sound engineer on more than one occasion to turn it up), quite a few members of the audience insisting on singing the words to 9 out of 10 of the songs - the only one they couldn't join in on was "Dreaming Of The Bones" - and that's only because they didn't know the words!!!! Don't get me wrong, I think Sinead made the best of an imperfect situation. It's just that having waited since midday for at least an hour of Sinead only to have her set ironically cut short - the irony being that the stage hands spent so much time ensuring there'd be no problems only to end up with feed back and low volume on Sinead's mike, left me feeling a more than a little fucked off! The set-list was also, more or less, a repeat of last year - the highlights (and surprises) being "Dreaming Of The Bones" , "Jackie" and "NC2U". Please don't misunderstand me, I enjoyed Sinead greatly, but I have to say that last year's Gospel Oak gig at The Forum was the best so far for me personally. It will be interesting to see the reviews for her upcoming Stateside tour (Chieftains/Lilith/headlines) and compare the setlists. Back to Saturday: Sinead appeared on stage wearing the biggest smile and the coolest attire! Khaki, silk army pants, brown Doctor Marten sandals, tiny red T-shirt, khaki, ribbed cardigan and red painted toe nails. Her hair is a number two or three crop - short enough to see the scar on her head but long enough to be fluffy (!) After a rapturous welcome she launched into "The Emperor's New Clothes" complete with adlib (Marcel have you got any idea what she sings at the end? "There's no love for you" Could that be it??), next up came "You Made Me The Thief Of Your Heart" with a guest appearance and haunting flute courtesy of Davey Spillane. "Stretched On Your Grave" was, once again, dedicated to "All the dead people amongst us - by that I mean the ghosts". Sinead then introduced the next song by "warning" us that she'd written it at the tender age of 15 (still, therefore, seemingly embarrassed by the songs on her debut) - with Justin Adams' electric guitar for accompaniment Sinead launched into a heartfelt, and sorely missed "Jackie". She then grabbed hold of her new acoustic guitar, proudly displaying it to a captive audience, whilst the rest of the band went to stand at the side of the stage and sang "This IS A Rebel Song" - it's always interesting to note the different pitch of this live - she adds so much more feeling to her pleas of "How come you never say you're sorry" etc. Sinead then reintroduced Davey Spillane and sang a new song, "Dreaming Of The Bones", which can be found on his new album to be released in July. Due to the poor stage sound it was impossible for me to make out the lyrics of this traditionally Irish sounding song, but it was nice to have a preview of something new ;) The biggest surprise, however, was "NC2U" - after all Sinead has said about not wanting to perform this song ever again this was the LAST song I expected to hear live !! The singalong was fun - for both Sinead and the audience :-) "In This Heart" was next up - and the first time I've seen John and Kenny participate on the harmonies - and was, as ever, glorious! The strongest - both vocally and musically - was "Fire On Babylon" - sadly without the "Rasta Man" adlib but with the "swimming" adlib thankfully intact!!. Due to the 11pm curfew Sinead only had time for one more song, "The Last Day Of Our Acquaintance" - without the "life raft" adlib but all the passion. I managed to see a copy of the full set list and understand that "Redemption Song", "She Moved Through The Fair" and "On Raglan Road" were also to have been played :-) Oh well, these things happen, I suppose....Sinead's in great voice - hope you all enjoy the US and European performances.