Yesterday I was in Belfast for what is currently the only concert I've been to. I went to see The Who for their Hits 50! tour. It was really good, especially since we had some fairly good seats for it.
I was with my dad, because next week he'll be moving to Australia for at least a year, although quite possibly longer, so it might be the last time I see him for a while. Since I'd never been to a concert before I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I quite liked it. If I had to describe it in one word though that would be 'loud'.
Belfast itself was also pretty interesting. It's the first time I've been to Northern Ireland, and it's odd. The landscape and the people are obviously Irish, but it's weird because how English the architecture and infrastructure seem. As well as that, you can really see how much of a divide there is between the Protestants/Unionists and the Republicans/Catholics. I don't think I've seen so many Irish Tricolours or Union Jacks in my life. I'll have to upload some photos of it when I get home.
I never been to a concert either, perhaps at events but... I never had some favorite artist to be so interested.
That's pretty damn cool that you've seen The Who, though I can't imagine they rock quite as hard as they used to
Standing gigs always tend to be more fun, and while the big stadium concerts are amazing, I always tend to prefer more intimate performances in venues that'll just about fit a thousand.
I used to go fishing in County Mayo a lot and we'd travel through NI, but aside from roadside services I've never actually explored much of it. The West coast of The Republic of Ireland is utterly beautiful, though.
It sucks you're gonna lose your father for a year or more, at least there is Skype and facetime and whatnot to keep in touch 'till he returns.
I've spent a few summers in Mayo myself as well. My friend has a house there, near Ballycastle, where I'd often spend a few weeks each year. More recently than that my aunt bought a house in Westport, so I've spent a few days there. I live on the west coast as well, in north Clare. It is a nice looking country, if you don't mind the cloudy skies as much as I do.