Summer Turns to High

In this lush, verdant corner of Paradise, summer is usually defined as the two days you dare to venture out without umbrella and/or thermal vest. Today, the thermostat in God’s holiday home broke, and, while he waited in for the repair man, Ardgillan sizzled beneath the bluest sky.

The laziest of Sunday afternoons was whiled away in the company of the laid-back Ambulance Ltd, home talent The Devlins, the effervescent Zutons and the delightfully bemused Moby (who else would dare to follow Lou Reed with Billy Idol in the most surreal of singalongs?)

R.E.M. positively bounced onto the stage. Everyone was visibly healthier and happier than their last visit to these shores in February (with the exception of the front row’s best friend Rangi, whose left knee was strapped and causing obvious discomfort). From the opening notes, it was clear we were in for a night of surprises – the first number was Bad Day, more tongue-in-cheek than ever (for the day had been anything but bad).

The ever-excitable Dublin crowd scarcely needed the encouragement of the rousing openers – Kenneth and The One I Love followed Bad Day. The serenely beautiful Leave (so much more emotive live) eased effortlessly into the starkly sublime Drive. The good cheer of Wanderlust and Animal had certainly infused Peter, who beamed and waved at the front row between most numbers.

For some time now, I’ve had a “Finest Setlist” – my ultimate wish list of 16 superlative songs which are scarcely played live. God must’ve taken a sneaky peek at the list while waiting for the thermostat repair man, because the Ardgillan setlist included 3 of them – firstly Heron House, then later (during the encores) Sitting Still and Me in Honey (with Kate Pierson bearing more than a passing resemblance to a certain Mr Mills).

As if on cue, the light was beginning to fade as Heron House became Electron Blue, then the aching sadness of Leaving New York and Everybody Hurts crept in.

With the crowd in suitably reflective mood, Michael (in an unprecedented broadcast to the people of Burma) dedicated The Outsiders, Find the River and World Leader Pretend to Aung San Suu Kyi on the occasion of her 60th birthday, and wished for her freedom by her 61st,

After the defiantly unsettling Final Straw, Michael gazed at the sky (he had already apologised for both the weather and the view!) and commented on the almost-full moon. From behind him, the timeless purity of Moon River wafted across the evening stillness, the angelic beauty of Mike’s delivery ensuring there was barely a dry eye in the house.

Jolted from nostalgic reverie by a whirling megaphone (Orange Crush – what else?), perennial favourites Walk Unafraid and Religion closed the main set.

The band returned to deliver 3 anthems (Imitation of Life, Great Beyond and the exquisite Electrolite) before God intervened with the aforementioned items from my wish list. During the band introductions, Michael chastises the crew for supplying him with French beer instead of a certain white-headed brown fluid (whose ingestion is mandatory in this part of the world). Matters are not helped by the smug brandishing of a can of the local brew by Mr Mills…

After urging everyone to contact their father on his special day (it was Father’s Day), the show closes with the inevitable I’m Gonna DJ and Man on the Moon. Michael’s wholly unexpected (!!!!) striptease ensues, but (unlike at the Odyssey in February) his jeans are in no danger of falling down, much to the disappointment of the front row.

Mike, Peter and Michael gather centre stage to share the limelight, then they are gone. We turn our backs on the stage and its watery backdrop (the Irish Sea), and make our way uphill, past the kaleidoscopic chameleon that is Ardgillan Castle, reflecting on the balmy summer night whose beautiful memory will sustain us until the next time.

Ardgillan Castle, Co. Dublin
Sunday 19th June 2005