Wow, Belfast, where to begin.... my ears are still ringing after 3 concerts in 3 days lol
Firstly before i get into my main review just have to say huge thanks to Joe and the guys for comming to Belfast which is essentially my home city.
The story starts at around 4:00 pm when i arrived up in belfast and met Michael at his hotel which was very well situated in relation to the venue. We took a dander round to the Spring and Airbrake and had a wee chat with Bogie and then Carmine before we headed off into town to show michael the HMV where he bought a Hendrix and Jeff Beck CD.
At about 6:00 pm we headed back to the venue but the tickets said doors 8:30 so we entered the convieniently placed pub joined to the Spring and Airbrake. While we were enjoying our drinks Carmine and Rick entered the pub, saw Michael and I sitting then came over and joined us for about 15 mins chating away. Its times like then when I think what exactly is happening. Carmine who has played with some fantastic acts to over 100,000 people and Rick who is an amazing keyboard player and those two are sitting having a drink and talking with myself and Micahel. Unreal.
At around 7:30 Michael and i started the queue outsite which at that stage was pouring down though thankfull there was a canopy so we were able to queue in the dry. While we were in the queue a guy fomr UTV (the N. Ireland version of ITV, a local TV station) came along and wanted to interview some of the fans (he said he had also gotten an intervie with Joe 
) So myself and Michael got interviewed along with some other people in the queue. If i see that on the TV il try record it and stick it up or it might jsut be on the UTV website.
When the doors opened at 8:30 we made outr way swiftly to the front of the stage although you could tell ti was a gig in Ireland as Michael and everyone else was rushing to line up at the fornt of the bar and not the stage. I also found out that when it says ID essential on the ticket, thats just there for show, they didn't even look twice at me .
The support act was again Simon Mcbride who is rather good, a pleasent surprise fomr all the not so good support bands you get. I'l not say too much i know Micahel wants to talk about them.
Now it was time for the main event, by now the rather small venue was almost full if not over full. When Joe came on there was a big cheer from the crowd, they definately knew who he was 
There was a smile and a nod from Joe then the band exploded into Bridge to better days. There was a definate relaxed feeling comming form he band, Dave had bottle of red wine and some glasses and everyone was really getting into it and giving it everything for the last night of the tour.
The first 4 songs or so were great as you would expect (same set list as Liverpool and Dublin btw) but it was as if after those first 4 songs or so, things really started to get goin. The band realised the crowd were loving it and raised it even higher, Sloe Gin was awesome, two great versions of Your Funeral, My trial and Don't burn down that bridge, recorded by a certain Micahel Lynch. Woke up dreaming was spectacular, the crowd amazed at the speed of it and a huge cheer was let out when Joe broke into the Cradle Rock again.
Then it was my favourite song of the night, Just Got Paid. I've always thought that that song could be used as a definition for Blues/Rock and that version Joe played last night would be the one I'd reccomend to be used. The band was really enjoying it too it seems, giving it everything with the wee extra flare bits thrown in here and there. It was truly fantastic.
The encores were also top notch and during the quiet bit of Asking around for you the crowd were great. The show ended with New Day Yesterday with the Startship Trooper ending. The crowed loving everyting and as Michael said it was truly a great show.
As Aaron was packing things up I asked him for a drum stick and he got one for me, cheers Aaron, the drumstick form the home gig
After about 20 mins to half an hour joe came outside and started talking and signing things for the quite a large group of people who were blown away by his talent. i took the opportunity to thank Joe for comming to Ireland and Belfast in particualr, I also got the set list signed and a picture taken with Joe and Michael.
I should also note here you can be sure its belfast your in when half way through a couple of us talking to Joe, a guy who had maybehad a pint or two butted in and said "What have ye got on ye you can give us?" Joe Being the ultimately nice guy he is tok his laminate band passes kept the ones he needed then gave the others to people for souveneirs. He gave me the Cornbury music festival one.
At the end of the day I was a very Happy guy, I got a fanstastic gig, Bogies drumstick, a signed setlist, a new t-shirt, Joe's artist pass, a chance to speak to all band members and a photo with Joe. All this at my home gig. I don't think it could have gone any better.
Thanks again, Joe and the band,
Matt
P.S sorry that was rather long and quite boring lol, i'm not good at reviews
*EDITZ* I found this on youtube, see some of the magic for yourself
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXeDq6_ego4
