We took the train from Dublin to Galway at a leisurely time, and had a lovely trip. The countryside was beautiful! Lots of sheep. Lots of cows. Lots of grass. Some castles! But a good trip nonetheless.
Our names were on the seats. High-tech.
We arrived with plenty of time to check in, so we hailed a taxi and made our way to the Rise B&B. Which was adorable.
So cute. Such comfy beds.
After we threw our bags in the room, we hustled down to the coast to get to the venue!
The weather was perfect!
The doors were scheduled to open at 3:00 PM. We managed to get there at about 3:30, per Olivia's orders encouragement.
Outside the venue! The Gentlemen of the Road banners!
Our earliness was paid off, and we fought our way to the front of the barricade through hordes of terrible hipster flower-child teens. We planted ourselves and lasted throughout the duration! 9 hours to go!
Pictures of the stage! Left: Pre-fighintg to the front. Right: We're totally right at the front. No blocking.
We waited. And waited. And waited. It took a while. Zulu Winter, the first band, was taking their time setting up. But it was also to allow the performances at the other stage to have their time to rock! We were tempted to go to the other side of the park to check out the other performers, but we had won our spot at main stage, where we knew Mumford would be playing. No budging. (We could hear the other bands playing just fine, anyway!)
After a wait, it all began!
Winston!
Winston, Mumford & Sons' banjo player, came out to introduce the main stage! People were so excited. He stayed out and stood in the wings during the sets to jam out!
Before anything could begin, though, a little comedic relief was in order. The most random aspect of the eve, "Piff the Magic Dragon," would introduce each band in turn. He was a dry British comedian in a dragon costume. Pretty self-explanatory. The first time he came out, we were slightly concerned. Each time after, though, we knew a band would soon follow, so the crowd would go wild!
It' Piff!
First up, Zulu Winter! They were awesome. I had never heard of them before, but their warm-ups were promising. They did not disappoint! (Not to mention they had a fine lead singer... Doesn't hurt.) I have to look into their album. So good. My ears got blasted out after the first set, which was worrying, but I adjusted!
Kicked it off to a good start!
Next up, Nathaniel Rateliff. I had heard vaguely of him before, and I recognized him on stage. Definitely a great gig for them! I love it when bands can rock out to their own songs!
Even Ben was jamming in the wings.
Thoroughly enjoying the set, everyone was immersed in the music. But suddenly, Nathaniel wanted to call out some "friends" to help him with his last few songs. And suddenly, Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford, and Winston Marshall appeared! Then the excitement really amped up.
They're so excited.
Nathaniel finished up, and the Vaccines came on next. We really had no idea who the Vaccines were, but apparently they are huge in Ireland. Huge. The crowd had suddenly grown behind us, and the claustrophobia really began. To get a good idea of the Vaccines, one of their more popular songs is "Post-Break Up Sex," if that is any indication. Very teen anarchist. The lead singer was pretty entertaining, though, and took to strutting about the stage. I could get into a song or two, but it wasn't completely my thing. Still, I've never experience a band that rocking before, so it was a whole different experience!
Hard. Core.
Finally, after hours of waiting, Mumford readied themselves to go on! The set had to be completely ripped down and re-done for them, so we had some more waiting to do.
Ted intro-ed the band across the park while the break-down was going on. We were so close that I spied a set list!
One more Piff-tastic intro, and Mumford & Sons was on! We were crushed against the barricade. Literally.
Can't even breathe. Not at all. A security person took our picture, though!
I don't even know how long Mumford played for. It went by like nothing. And it was so good. Hands down, the best concert of my life. Hands down.
Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford, Ted Dwane, and Country Winston Marshall
The best.
Their set was incredible. People singing, dancing, jumping, toe-tapping. Absolutely fantastic. And I have never seen a band so happy to be performing. They goofed off during their songs, laughed at each other, and danced around. Ben never had a smile off of his face. At one point during a break between songs, the crowd got a little rowdy and starting doing the "Olé, olé olé olé" chant popular at football games. Marcus laughed and said, "Tomorrow, my friends!" before leaping off the stage and taking an Irish flag from someone who offered it to him in the front row (he stood FEET away from us). Marcus Mumford holding the Irish flag in Ireland made people a little nuts.
The songs! All of the best, and some new ones (I loved them all!)
Lovers Eyes
Little Lion Man
Winter Winds
White Blank Page
Timshel
Roll Away Your Stone
Lover of the Light
Thistles and Weeds
Ghosts That We Knew
Awake My Soul
Whispers in the Dark
Dust Bowl Dance
My favorite song, Dust Bowl Dance, got saved for the last of the main set. The song was crazy. Marcus takes to the drums as he sings, and Ben to a live piano, rather than his keyboard. Winston with the banjo and Ted on the bass. The drum solos were out of control, and the boys got way into the song. At one point, Ben's mic stand just flew off into the distance off-stage. Best.
They finished up with an encore, since they couldn't possibly leave without at least playing The Cave! We were also treated to Below My Feet and Sigh No More before the show was over!
I will swear forever that Ben looked at the three of us from across the stage and smiled at the beginning of the set and that Ted waved at us because we were so enthused at the end of the set.
It was wild. Words can't describe it. I loved every second of the experience, even getting crushed, elbowed, yelled at, and having beer thrown in my hair. Mumford & Sons was worth it.
As the show ended and the crowd cleared out, there was still one last task at hand. Olivia needed to get her hands on a set list. So did a good chunk of the crowd. Earlier in the evening, we schmoozed with some of the security, trying to get on their good side and explaining that we really wanted one. I even gave a little sob story to one. And death glares to him as the show was ending and the set lists were being collected. As the luck of the Irish would have it, he remembered the plea of three little American friends and handed over one of the six set list to Olivia! We fled the scene amidst angry cursing from the surrounding teens, and celebrated the whole way home!
The aftermath and Olivia with her set list the next morning!
Our time in Galway came to a close this morning! We were greeted with a full Irish breakfast at our B&B before checkout. We had allowed ourselves plenty of time between checkout and our train departure, so we got to explore the town a bit! Galway is such a beautiful and quaint little seaside town. I would love to go back and have some R&R there someday! The town was still reeling from the huge crowd that had descended on the city for the Gentlemen of the Road festival. There was still plenty to see!
Market, tea, and a lovely saying completed our time in Galway!
It was a phenomenal weekend. I could not have chosen a better way to spend our last few days in Ireland. Packing tonight! And then on to the buses at 4:35 AM are you kidding me to get to the airport and catch a plane to the land of my people, Scotland!
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