The legendary Horslips are taking to the stage at the National Concert Hall in Dublin later this month for two gigs. They will play on Saturday 25th August & Sunday 26, concerts in which they will accompanied by the Orchestra of the National Concert Hall.
The much-anticipated concerts, beginning at 8.00pm will feature arrangements by Golden Globe-nominee Brian Byrne of material mostly to be found on the albums The Táin and The Book of Invasions.
Horslips went on the so-called `longest fag break in history’ in October 1980, after Charlie O'Connor famously threw his fiddle into the crowd at what was expected to be the band's last gig at the Ulster Hall in Belfast.
Singer and bassist Barry Devlin recalls the band's misgivings about going back on the road in 2009, almost three decades after the initial disbandment. They were tempted to leave well enough alone, not to possibly spoil memories for fans and themselves alike, with a reunion that might not come up to scratch.
"We were kind of worrying what happens when we rise from the dead again," he told RTÉ ten. "With the winding sheet trailing off us, as we started wandering around the country... would people still feel it was good thing? But we've had a terrific response."
After that 29-year break from gigs together as the band Horslips, the lads reunited in 2009 to play sold out gigs in the O2 Dublin and Odyssey Arena in Belfast. November 2010 saw them embark on a short winter tour that finished in the 02. 2011 saw the band play a string of UK and European gigs and festivals.
These NCH performances will offer seasoned fans - and their thirty-something kids now too, as Barry points out - a chance to hear the Horslips sound dressed up in very fancy clothes indeed. And for a foretaste of what it all might sound like, check out the Horslips and the Ulster Orchestra live album, released last year (read our review below), also featuring Brian Byrne's arrangements.
For NCH bookings, phone 01 417 0000 or Online: www.nch.ie
