Gig of 2007

I do love almost every gig i go to but there are always those few unforgettable shows that you have to rave about. And this year provided many great performances that i was lucky enough to witness. Such as:
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Arcade fire on the first night of their european tour in the big top, a cold night and a long walk, but my god, a fantastic gig, made all the sweeter by it being my first time seeing them (not through lack of trying though)
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Super furry animals on fine form yet again in vicar street, touring the new album hey venus which has only grown on me more quickly since their live renditions.
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65daysofstatic in crawdaddy, i hadn't heard of them until two days before the gig and cathal told me i just had to go, and as a man who happened to have €15 or so to spare at the time, who was i to say no. A very cool gig and it really opened my eyes to a genre of music id always kind of respected but never fully gotten before.
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Rider's on the storm made their way to castlebar of all places for a one night stand that won't be forgotten in a hurry. They played a blinding set, with only one noteable abscence), and with 2 of them doing this for as long as they have, they don't seemed to have been phased by it much. But the highlight of that night was getting to meet the band afterwards, i even shook hands with ray & robbie.
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And of course the Electric picnic produced many fine performances yet again. !!! played an amazing set, a very lively and energetic band perfect pick-up feel good music. Modest mouse played to a packed out tent, and even with the sound problems it was great. Sonic youth proved to me live and in person why theyve been able to keep doing what they do for as long as they have, the same energy and ability that they had 20 years ago. and just before i had a chance to relax, iggy & the stooges took the stage by storm shortly before inviting us up there

But all in all my gig of 2007 has to go to:
George Clinton & the p-funk all-stars, Tripod, 5th July

• Over 4 hours of funk, a truly relgious experience with dr. funkenstein. I was only a casual listener of funk before, some funkadelic & a little parliament , but i became fully converted at this gig. Ive since been collecting as many funkadelic albums as i can afford in glorious vinyl form. Maggot brain can only really release it's fully brilliance when performed live, an essential song for an music fan.

And that was my 2007 in gigs, i may squeeze in one or two more between here and january but they would need to be very very amazing to knock george off the top spot. 2007 was a year unlike most others before it, in that i didn't spend my birthday at a gig. But hey, maybe 23 doesn't deserve a gig. Let's hope 24 does.