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 Smithwicks Source Music Festival
2001 saw the first Source festival hit Kilkenny's streets with huge success. The main
attraction was the live open air Bob Dylan concert in Nowlan Park which attracted capacity
crowds. For those who didnt get tickets the streets and pubs were filled with free music.
Concert Review
The big day finally came around: July 15th - Dylan Day. At 2:15 pm the sun was hovering
over Nowlan park as the early minority awaited the kick off by Kilkenny man, Stephen
Murphy. And what a kick off it was; Stephen and his band were as tight as a duck's arse.
Electrified and driven, Stephen's songs were given a new and more spectacular life with
the backing of a real live band. He kicked off with Fine Day, which was a very appropriate
song for the time of day, before flying head on into Alive which pleased his loyal fan
base up front and converted the uninitiated. Cool, calm and confident, Mr Murphy is
destined for great things.
Dublin veterans, Revelino were up next to play their own fine brand of sonic melancholia.
And as they played the beautiful and classic Don't Lead Me Down, the rain began to fall
from the ether as if the band touched the atmosphere with their elegiac elegance.
The Alice Band were next and suffered from the cold rain and an unfamiliar crowd. Glen
Hansard then single-handedly managed to rock the park with just an acoustic guitar. If
you've ever seen this guy solo before you'll know how much power he's capable of
producing. Juliet Turner benefited from the returning sunshine, playing her radio-friendly
unit shifters such as Burn The Black Suit and I Do Not Like Thee Dr Fell.
The legendary Blind Boys of Alabama were up next to rouse the multitude with their gospel
stylings. They were fantastic, starting off with the greatest rendition of Danny Boy ever
witnessed. All the boys are 70+ but their gorgeous harmonies are forever young, getting
everyone into the festival. Their rendition of Amazing Grace to the music of House of the
Rising Sun was pure orgasmic.
Elvis Costello played an hour of greatest hits and he was absolutely brilliant. The
honorary Irish man was on top form, blasting out classics like Oliver's Army, I Don't Want
to go to Chelsea, Watching The Detective, Alison and What a good year for the Roses.
Then the moment that everyone was waiting for arrived and Mr Robert Zimmerman took the
stage. With no interaction with the audience he played a mixture of newer material
alongside golden oldies like Desolation Row, Just Like a Woman, All Along The Watchtower
and Like a Rolling Stone which was very appropriate as Ron Wood was playing his guitar
with Dylan for the entire gig. The set wasn't spectacular but Bob Dylan was, well, Bob
Dylan. That seemed to be good enough for everyone. It was a wonderful day and hopefully
Source will continue for many years to come.
Pius Meagher |
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