Thank You For The Music Show

So that was The Music Show 2010, and what a weekend it was in the RDS. As the crowds departed from the Main Hall on Sunday evening, kids could be heard on mobiles excitedly talking about the whole shebang, and all the freebies they'd smuggled out. The older crowd mused on the revealing Bob Geldof interview and the great shows over at the Live Stage, capped off by Damien Dempsey. It was all good.

Saturday got proceedings off the flyer - over 50 exhibitor stands were open from early, showcasing their wares. There were Fenders to be played with, Roland electronic drums to be thumped, and Martin guitars to be strummed. A guitar masterclass with Newton Faulkner proved the big draw everyone expected. For his part, Faulkner was a delight - he was seen spending loads of time with fans outside afterwards.

The Live Stage Line-up was like a who's who of exciting Irish acts. CODES got the crowds singing along early on, The Cast Of Cheers were a big hit, as were Maud In Cahoots, before Republic of Loose brought the day brilliantly to a close.

There were sparks flying over on the panels. Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan participated in a key panel, and heard some strong views on the major issues in the industry, notably illegal file-sharing and also the difficulty of getting Irish music played on Irish radio. About the latter, Louis Walsh was furious. On the file-sharing issue, Sharon Corr and John Reid, CEO of Warner Music Europe contributed eloquently from the floor. And even after Minister Ryan had departed, the likes of Paddy Dunning and Ossie Kilkenny were heard admonishing the government for the lack of funding for the industry on the 'We Don't Need No Education. Wrong' panel.

If Saturday had been a success, Sunday was utter, fun filled energy, as waves of people, from the young to the young-at-heart, descended on the RDS to get involved. Senior industry figured were there in force again too. On the panels, we had the brilliant Steve Lillywhite talking production, Justin Greene of MCD offering his unique insight into promoting and selling live music, and a world debut clip from the forthcoming Killing Bono film, among other gems. The Coronas were terrific on The Live Stage, bringing with them a legion of hardcore fans; Sharon Corr, Jerry Fish and The Mudbug Club, Cathy Davey and the aforementioned closer, Mr. Damien Dempsey all brought the house down with magnificent performances.

Sunday's also featured a rare and exclusive interview with Bob Geldof himself. Conducted by Hot Press editor Niall Stokes, to a packed room that included the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Mary Hanafin, it was a wide-ranging, typically frank and open discussion leavened by songs performed superbly by the Boomtown Rats legend.

All in all, you couldn't have hoped for better. There'll be more on this over the next day or two, as the stories flow from the panels and discussions – but in the meantime, here's to the Music Show 2011...