This evening I have just been stunned to hear the news that Ireland’s Sunstroke festival is back after a 25 year absence.
I saw posts on Facebook over the last day or so that Faith No More were teasing a new tour. My mate Paul asked me was it definitely on after finding out about the fakes news of Rage Against The Machine coming to Dublin next summer.
So you can imagine my surprise and indeed joy when I saw the line up. This time a 2 day festival like the old Witnness/Oxegen festivals at Punchestown Racecourse in County Kildare.
When I saw the poster it was like Christmas came early. Dare I say quite more appealing than Download Festival especially when this one is on your doorstep.
So I said to Paul and we are definitely up for it. Whether we do both days or just one is going to depend on who plays under the headliners. Faith No More headline Saturday whilst Deftones headline on Sunday.
Anyway we both have a history of going to the previous one day festivals. The first one was in 1993 at Dalymount Park. The headliners were meant to be Red Hot Chili Peppers but they withdrew due to personnel problems in the band and were replaced by Faith No More.
This was definitely one of the best gigs I have been to. Faith No More unleashed a crazy and wild performance which had the place bouncing. It was unreal.
The rest of the bill was great too. Also playing were Sonic Youth, Sugar, Belly and Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy.
1994 same venue and the one I missed due to not being able to get time off work. The gig was on a Thursday. Really regretted missing this one as it was a great line up.
Red Hot Chili Peppers returned to Ireland that year with support from Frank Black, Helmet, Ice Cube (they replaced Soundgarden who dropped out), Terrorvision alongside local acts Therapy? and My Little Funhouse.
A year later it was back again, this time it had moved to the RDS due to complaints of noise from the residents who lived alongside Dalymount Park.
Looking back on this one this was definite a scheduling nightmare. The day before Smashing Pumpkins we’re playing at the Olympia and had added a second date at same venue which clashed with Sunstroke which was headlined by Soundgarden.
The venue was also strange as it was almost like Dublin’s version of the King’s Hall. Even stranger this was an indoor gig rather than an outdoor one. Support came from Mudhoney, White Zombie, Pennywise, Tad and Sponge. Wasn’t my favourite as the sound was awful.
It is great that Sunstroke is back and I am definitely looking forward to going down to it. A long overdue festival to these shores.
Paul’s Gigography 