Green Day made their return to Belfast since 1991.  First time they played Belfast was at Richardson’s Social Club and they were staying overnight in the Holylands student area.

This time round they made it to the Ulster Hall promoting their new album Nimerod.  I was starting to like the band at this stage and this was one of my favourite albums from that year.  The gig was definitely my favourite Green Day show.

 I was a big Rage Against the Machine fan during the 90s and it came as no surprise that British band Senser came along with their blend of politics, rap and rock.  They came to the Limelight on 30/4/98.

Also part of 90s culture was The X Files.  Whilst not gig related, the next band Catatonia had a top 10 hit with Mulder and Scully.  This was my introduction to the band proper.

They played at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin over the May Bank holiday weekend as part of the Green Energy festival. 

Symposium made a return visit to the Limelight on 11/6/98 bringing follow Brit rockers A in support.

Fresh from supporting The Verve at Slane Castle (see 1998 Festivals), Manic Street Preachers made their debut Ulster Hall appearance on 30/8/98, the night that they achieved their first no.1 single, If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next.

This was definitely my favourite Manics gig.  Kind of made me regret not getting into them earlier as they previously played Belfast at the Students Union numerous times.

One gig that I went to that year was to see The Levellers at the Ulster Hall.  It wasn’t a great turn out if I remember correctly.  Support came from the then unknown Snow Patrol.

The build up to Christmas was pretty busy that year and I don’t think buying presents was top of the agenda.  Therapy? had only one Irish show and it was in Dublin.

Me and my mate Paul hit the road for a return visit to the Olympia on 10/12/98.  This was the first time I saw Therapy? in Dublin.  Paul had seen them 4 years earlier at Dalymount Park as part of Sunstroke’94.

Drugstore came to the Limelight on 15/12/98.  They released a song called El Presidente with Thom Yorke from Radiohead doing guest vocals.  Sadly he wasn’t present at this gig.

I was in England on the weekend of 19/12/98 visiting friends and took in the opportunity to see Manic Street Preachers on their debut arena tour.  The venue was Westpoint Arena in Exeter.  Think I could best describe it as the English King’s Hall as it was a terrible venue.

This one doesn’t quite go down well as the Ulster Hall gig a few months earlier.  It was probably the first time I could tell the difference between the fans and casual fans.  Catatonia were meant to support but Cerys Matthews took ill resulting in the band having to cancel.

Back to home and the traditional Christmas gig!  Ash played at the Ulster Hall on 23/12/98.

Ash never disappointed.  Support came from Chicks and Idlewild. I have no recollection of Idlewild.   Might have been late getting down for the gig. 

• Gigs