28th Vibe - 'Fight or Fall' - 2014

Original PR from the 28th Vibe

1976. A thumping great riff kicks in as the needle hits the groove, and 9 classic tracks later you know those twin-guitars have irreversible change the aural-landscape forever. Jailbreak really was something special - all dressed up in a sleeve which saw Jim Fitzpatrick in the form of his life. This was rock music as you'd only dreamed about, then track two, side two, came the curve ball - a country/soul tour-d-force called Fight or Fall. It's a bit like the Vibe really. We love those curve balls! When someone takes a different direction and after the journey's over your left wondering just how they navigated there in the first place.

You probably don't watch the news anymore, but apparently, the recession is officially over. So it's time to come out of those dark days into the light again. Like everyone we have been cutting back in recent times but we fell now is the time, as we head towards the 30th anniversary, to take up the challenge and go for the big one. It's a time to take risks - to 'Fight or Fall' if you like. In the company of Aiken Promotions we're heading back to Vicar Street - scene of some of the most memorable vibes of the past decade - and were already looking for that Curve Ball that will send you all home sated, satisfied, and sweatin' after a spectacular 5 hour extravaganza.

Brian Grace is back in the Musical Directors chair - who apart from performing with The Low Riders will provide musical accompaniment to our Special Guests.

Jim Fitzpatrick. For some it was Che Guevara. For others it was those extraordinary Celtic Women. However, for many of us it was a fusion of the Celtic with Marvel Comic Strips, into an extraordinary series of artworks for Whiskey in the Jar and Randolph's Tango which started a partnership which would change our Rock 'n Roll landscape forever. By the time of the Vagabonds album, Jim Fitzpatrick's artwork was like an extra member of Thin Lizzy as it visually defined what Philip Lynott was writing musically.

Since Philo's sad passing Jim has been an important supporter of The Vibe - not only supplying rare artworks on numerous occasions for us to use but performing Philip's poetry at a number of Vibes. Jim has graciously supplied us with stunning artwork for the 2014 Vibe which has already got the inspirational juices flowing, and is guaranteed to become yet another classic collectors item.

Do yourself a favour - drop by Jim's website and check out the incredible artwork on offer. The Thin Lizzy section will be of particular interest to vibers, but there's a wealth of jaw-dropping artwork available to own today!

Vibe 2014 Review - Fight or Fall

By Colm O Hare - Hot Press Magazine

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The 28th Vibe saw the annual, commemorative Philo-fest return to Vicar Street - a move more than justified by the huge crowd that turned out on what was a very stormy night indeed.

The atmosphere on approaching the venue was palpable; while in the bar before the show, giant video projections of both Thin Lizzy and Lynott solo films, whetted the appetite for what was to come. The merchandise stalls did a steady trade in t-shirts, posters and even belt buckles! Rockers and rock chicks of all ages from across the continent and across the world mingled excitedly, with more than one Black Rose tattoo on display and a few impressive (if incongruous) Mohicans.

MC for the evening was, as ever, the indefatigable Smiley Bolger, long time friend of the much-missed Dublin legend and the instigator of the annual Vibe for Philo. The theme of this year's Vibe was “Fight or Fall”, a call to arms if ever there was one.

Without fanfare, first act of the night The Lizzy Experience took to the stage for a complete performance of the Fightin' album. It was a popular choice and tracks like the opening salvo 'Rosalie' along with Lizzy live favourites 'Suicide' and 'Wild One' were performed with an impressive power and glory.

Next up was young Belfast troubadour Conor Scott, introduced by Smiley thusly: "Every year, Philip sends us something special and this year is no exception." Praise indeed and with just an acoustic guitar and voice, Scott delivered in spades with his own interpretations of a handful of Lizzy tunes the absolute highlight being a terrific crowd-participating version of the Nightlife track 'She Knows'.

Billed as "Smiley's surprise guests", Age, as their name suggests, were the youngest musicians on stage tonight by a long shot. And with the imprimatur of Philomena Lynott herself, who told the crowd they reminded her of seeing an 11-year-old Philo in Mount Argus Church Hall they played a stormer putting in tremendous versions of 'Dancing In The Moonlight' along with a killer run through AC/DC's 'Highway to Hell'.

Not quite as young, Dublin outfit Sal Vitro were one of the big hits of last year's Vibe and they received a rapturous welcome for a brilliant set that included a rocking version of the Vagabonds Of The Western World track 'Song For While I'm Away' and a soulful slow-burning 'Dear Miss Lonely Hearts'.

Meanwhile, Pat Coldrick and Dick Farrelly promised "a distortion free zone" for the duration of their performance and offered a sublime acoustic classical take on the gorgeous 'Sarah' with the crowds joining in on the chorus. They also performed a lovely, classically-inspired 'Whiskey In The Jar' (Their set was er, enlivened considerably by the appearance of a beautiful young lady onstage who flashed her “thigh tattoo” of Philo to huge cheers. It was that kind of night!)

Meanwhile, another Vibe favourite The Low Riders delivered a punchy electric mix of a set that included a blistering pair in 'Angel From The Coast' and 'Black Boys On The Corner'. A glowing Philomena Lynott returned to the stage for the now traditional address to the faithful: “Thank you all, thank you all, for coming tonight and to those who were at the cemetery earlier today," she beamed, while also informing the crowds of the details of the forthcoming limited edition Book Of The Phil Lynott Exhibition.

It was left to UK outfit Dizzy Lizzy (who looked and sounded scarily like the real thing) to bring the night home and they did so with an incendiary set that included favourites such as 'Killer On The Loose' and 'Don't Believe A Word', the highlight arguably a stunning, emotion-packed 'Still In Love With You'.

What a night!
- See more at the Hot Press website.