Chic, Tripod, 25.05.10 / 26.05.10 Review

In 2009 I saw one of the most life affirming gigs I've ever had the luck to have witnessed when Nile Rodgers and Chic played the Electric Tent on the Saturday night at Electric Picnic. It was life affirming firstly because of the incredible performance given by the band of some of the catchiest and most important music of the last 30 years. But secondly (and more importantly) it was life affirming due to the reaction of the crowd to this band and this music - people went f*cking ballistic when the band started any number of US number one hits. I honestly don't think that Rodgers and his group were prepared for the reaction they received that night - one of pure and unambivalent love. Electric Picnic seems to hold a place in it's heart for certain tracks aswell and that night "Good Times" with it's extended Sugarhill Gang coda signed it's name into the annals of festival lore in Ireland - that rare of beasts - tune of the festival. Certainly for me nothing came close last year. It was bliss to be in that tent that evening. The show by Arcade Fire in the same tent in 2005 is regularly hailed as being a classic in Ireland in recent years. This was better.

So - no pressure then for Rodgers and co. on their return to Ireland in May!

After a sold out (and amazingly well received) night in Cork, Rodgers brought his ensemble to Dublin for a two night stint at the Tripod. I was at both shows.

Without going into too much detail, the Dublin shows didnt quite match up to the Picnic in '09. I think the element of surprise was on Chic's side in Stradbally, I also have my problems with Tripod itself as a venue. That said, the Friday night in particular was a 8/10 on my rating scale and i dare say everyone there had a feckin' ball on the night. Rodgers was out signing and having photographs taken with punters for about 20 minutes in front of the stage. I can't remember this happening at a gig ive seen recently (large or small) in Ireland. Certainly at the end of shows you'd get the odd appearance by the band to meet with fans - but its a measure of how relaxed he is as a performer and how interested he is in meeting his public.

Quite a similar setlist to the last time in Stradbally. Its basically classic after classic for 100 minutes... the warmth of the band's music and the heat from the crowd turning Tripod into a sweaty cauldron on the night.

It was the drummer's birthday and the crowd sang the chorus from Stevie Wonder's "Happy Birthday" to him on the Friday night. Another first for a Dublin show in my experience.

Everybody Dance
Dance Dance Dance
I Want Your Love
Medley (I'm Coming Out / Upside Down / Greatest Dancer / We Are Family)
Soup For One (Lady)
Spacer
Like A Virgin
Thinking of You
Let's Dance
Chic Cheer
My Forbidden Lover
Le Freak
Encore:
Good Times