Horslips Live at the O2

The most long-awaited reunion in the history of Irish rock has finally come to pass...
... and it’s fair to say that it exceeded all expectations, and then some. And it all took place fittingly, in the country’s largest indoor arena before a sell-out audience that included, Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney, Def Leppard’s Joe Elliot, U2 Manager Paul McGuiness, radio veteran Larry Gogan, Riverdance creators Moya Doherty and John McColgan to name just some of the luminaries on hand.

After a fine, energetic set from more recent “veterans”, Something Happens, the five members of Horslips arrived out to a welcome so rapturous that it even took the band by surprise. “It’s been a long time – where have you all been?” asked Barry Devlin, not unreasonably.

Any doubts about whether they had bitten off more than they could chew, in terms of scale were soon dispelled – as the ‘Lips sound filled the massive 02 like they were born to it. Opening with the jaunty instrumental, ‘King of the Fairies’ the place erupted and by their second number, the majestic, ‘The Power And The Glory’ the cheers were almost deafening and the band fed off the response for almost two and a half hours.

Trawling through their back catalogue what came across most was their versatility and ability to change with the times; Horslips packed ten studio albums into their decade in the spotlight and tonight they showcased almost every facet of their broad appeal from the pseudo- traditional, ‘High Reel’, the idiosyncratic, ‘Mad Pat’ to the Wishbone Ash-influenced rock of ‘Furniture’ and the almost New-Wave-ish, ‘The Man Who Built America’. Stand-in drummer Ray Fean – Johnny’s’ brother played a blinder (Eamon Carr had bowed out of the live shows but appeared onstage dressed as Santa Clause armed with platinum discs for sales of their recent compilation.)

The big ones drew the most ecstatic response - ‘Trouble’ saw Jim Lockhart multi-tasking madly on flute and keyboards while that familiar hi-hat intro to ‘Dearg Doom’ saw everyone on their feet as Johnny Fean and Charles O’Connor duelled on guitar and fiddle respectively. After what seemed like no time at all - it was all over and they wrapped things up with the old Pirates classic, ‘Shakin’ All Over’.

It was a night to remember.