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ABBAMANIA
Abbamania came to Dunoon and we where very fortunate to be able to speak to the band in the studio and also catch them for a photo just before they burst onto stage with Voluez Vous before singing one of their favourite songs Chiquitita, The audience where soon swaying and clapping their hands with several pink feather boas and luminous chokers being waved in the air.
The bands enthusiasim and love of the songs was infectious and it did not take much to have the audience dancing and singing along.
DEVILS REJECTS TO HEADLINE NABD FESTIVAL
Local Dunoon Band Devils Rejects are to headline the National Association for Bikers with a Disability ‘By the Trossachs Rally’ on Friday 31st July. The Rally is being held at Ben Ledi Park, Callander featuring Live Bands, Disco, Real Ale Bar, Traditional Rally Bar, Custom Bike and Trike Show. Tickets cost £12 pre-booked or £15 on the gate. Numbers are strictly limited so best to book early. The Devils Reject are an unsigned band which started in Dunoon in 2007 who play rock/metal, you may have heard them at the recent Hillbillies event or in the Twisted Wheel, Glasgow. You can check out their myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/devilsrejectsthebandThe NABD where set up in 1991 by six bikers in Stockport and Manchester who would not accept that disabled people could not ride motorcycles, scooters and trikes. They now have 5000+ individual members and have helped over 7000 people with advice and money to enable them to ride. For further information on the Rally and the NADB see www.nabd.org.uk
THE BACKBEAT BEATLES
1-2-3-4our da dumdum, da da da dumdum da dumdum
“Well she was just seventeen. You know what I mean. And the way she looked was way beyond compare” As the sound of the opening lines of “I Saw Her Standing There” filled the Queens Hall the enthusiastic audience of young and maybe one or a few folk from the day, got to their feet to greet the popular Beatles tribute band back to Dunoon to perform the music of the ” Fab Four”
SOUNDS LIKE -LOOKS LIKE
With such a back catalogue to choose from and only just over two hours to play, it must be difficult to please everyone but the Backbeat Beatles have been doing this for a long time and seemed to know what tunes pleased the audience best.
Of course their musicianship beggars’ belief in producing an authentic sound and it certainly helps with the illusion to see the same instruments, amplifiers and costumes.
SING AND DANCE ALONG
The first half represented the Fab Fours output from their Please Please Me album up to and including the Revolver album. With eighteen singles including 11 Number ones and 7 album, so the audience where soon singing along and dancing at the front of the stage.
A little of Beatle- mania could be felt around the Queens Hall which had been set out table style like many of the British and German Clubs of the sixties.
THE ROBERTSON SISTERS BROUGHT DAD
The members of the band keeping in character throughout encouraged request and dedications from the audience and many had songs dedicated to them, to mention but one Dougie Robertson who had been brought along to the proceedings by his daughters Angela, Nicola and Suzanne to celebrate his birthday and was quite happy? to go along with a Beatle like happy birthday sang by all.
The second half started with the instantly recognizable Sgt. Peppers Uniforms and hits from the psychedelic era again with spot on covers of the tunes through to the more casual Let It Be, again much participation from the audience and no more so than All You Need Is Love which brought the evenings performance to an end but not before the band played out with a blasting rendition of Twist And Shout.
Although the hall was not as full as it should have been those that attended were in good voice, knew and did all the moves and enjoyed themselves.
If I could have had a dedication from the band it would have been to all at the Queens Hall who bring to Dunoon such a wide variety of entertainment - with this years programme of events being one of the best ever long may it last and be supported by the community http://www.argyll-Bute.gov.uk/content/queenshalls/qhevents/
DCR
HOT TICKET
Do you have a ticket for a future concert or music event , Drop us a wee comment on our Concert and Musical events page telling us who you are going to see, when and where and we shall do the rest. Knowing the type of music and artist you are supporting will be very useful to us in future programme schedules. Here are a few dates that we have been given.
Connect Music Festival Inveraray Castle - The Oganisers have decided to take a break for 2009 but will be back in 2010 and are hoping to stage some smaller concerts in the meantime .
Cowal Choral Club - ‘Music To Inspire’ Before Christmas I attended a wonderful concert in St Muns Church preformed by our own Cowal Choral Club. it was entitled ‘Music to Inspire’ and it certainly was inspirational. The Choir, accompanied by their Chamber Orchestra and conducted by Mr Russell Cowieson where joined by soloists soprano MsElena Xanthoudakis and Baritone Mr Kevin Greenlaw. It was an absolute delight to be able to hear renowned international singers in Dunoon. The evening was a lovely mix of music from Bachs ‘Cantata 140′ to Vaughan Wiliams ‘Fantasia on Christmas Carols’, topped of by John Rutters ‘Magnificat’. Thank you for a wonderful show and I am really looking forward to your next show ‘The Pajama Game’. Humphry
New Year In Oban
My friends and I decided we would do something different for the New Year and join in one of the many street parties, so off we went to Oban as we had heard many good things from last years inaugural event.
The event is held in the car park of a major supermarket just off the town centre with music, fun fair rides, food and drink. The evening was compeered by the local community radio Oban FM who with usual shenanigans filled in the gaps between acts with old favourites plus a few newer tracks. First up on the stage was the Oban Homecoming Choir which was formed from some of the local Gaelic choirs and a worthy start to the New Years Eve proceedings. Next on stage was ‘The Works’ a local 80’s band who had reformed especially for the evening, I couldn’t remember them but as they started playing I thought I recognised something familiar, then realised it was The works version of the Kaiser Chiefs ‘I predict a Riot’. Their set consisted mainly of cover versions, although I must confess we did make a wee detour to the funfair rides around this time.
They where followed by the excellent Skerryvore who I normally see at Ceildhs so it was interesting to hear a more diverse musical talents, as they sang some well know tunes including Dougie MacLeans ‘Caledonia’ which they have released as a download single on their website. I am not sure their brass section works, however, this may have had something to do with the sound mix which didn’t sound as good as it should have done, but hey! It’s live and these things happen.
‘SKERRYVORE ‘S set took us practically up to the bells which where preceded by the ‘RUNRIG’ rendition of Loch Lomond, the live recording from the Barrowlands which had the 7,500 crowd singing along enthusiastically with Donny Munro, linking arms and jumping in the air at the finale.
It reminded me of our DCR Roadshow nights but without the 7.500 crowd.
After the countdown to midnight the sky was lit up with a fantastic display of fireworks which were accompanied by the music of the RED HOT CHILLI PIPERS who had taken to the stage with ‘Auld Lang Syne’ then continued with their now world famous set.
By the time they began to bring their set to an end our feet were frozen and at £15 for a round of 4 shots we decided it was time to wend our way home to a warm fire and our nerdy bottle.
Now what shall we do next year? Will Dunoon have a Street Party?
Ben G
17 responses so far ↓
1 DJ Duggy Day // Mar 5, 2010 at 10:32 am
Hello DCR, I heard about the Abbamania show in Dunoon way over here in Beijing, China.
I heard it was good night out!
2 big concerts on the horizon here, The Backstreet Boys are in the city on March 17, and Bob Dylan fans are hoping the man reaches China for concerts at the start of April(though it looks increasingly doubtful). Cheers!
2 "Thank you for the" ABBA // Feb 14, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Love the pictures from the Show.Thought it a windup when Victor said at 10.45 pm -45mins after the show finished they were on the website.
Great Great Show brilliant performers. Brilliant interview from the Abba girls. Hope you will keep playing the Abba songs on the radio
Fernando’s Chiquitita.
3 ABBAFANTASTIC // Feb 14, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Fantastic night what a band! Great that you guys at the radio got involved-we have loved your coverage over the last few weeks and loved the interview with the girls -billiant well done Kim -hope you gave them cuddles.
The Dancing after midnight girls.
4 DJ Duggy Day // Nov 9, 2009 at 4:53 am
Hi folks, how goes it?
It’s turned chilly here and snow is forecast, grrrreat the ski season starts soon!!!
Last night I went to see Michael Jackson’s movie ‘This Is It’ and I enjoyed the show.
Now I know that, had he lived to perform at the 02 Arena in London, his concerts would have been awesome!
I saw ‘This Is It’ at one of the awesome IMAX theatres in Beijing, and the atmosphere in the cinema was quite exciting, because at times it felt like you were at a live concert, as the crowd applauded and cheered at the end of each song!
After the movie ended I asked some folks what they thought of it, and they said that it was exciting and wonderful! That explains why Michael Jackson’s song ‘This Is It’ is currently at the top of the Chinese pop charts.
Cheers!
http://cribeyondbeijing.com/
5 DONNIE MUNRO TO SEE IN NEW YEAR // May 10, 2009 at 10:18 pm
I know its not just around the corner but I do know a lot of Dunoon folk travel to Oban to see in the New Year
- see Ben G’s review on this page.
This year Former Runrig lead singer Donnie Munro and his six piece band will bring in the New Year at the special Oban Hogmanany Homecoming 2009 Final Fling which surely must put Oban amongst the top new year attractions.
6 THE DCR LOFT RADIO SHOW BEGINS // May 4, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Just a quick thank you from the DCR roadshow crew to the folk who went along to the first night of THE LOFT RADIO SHOW held upstairs at the newly refurbished Crown Court Café Bar. A full report will be published shortly with some photos. The crew look forward to welcoming everyone every Thursday night when they will be spinning the disc instantly recognisable, mostly oldies but goodies that other radio stations hardly ever play.-Admission Free so come along and say hello—DCR Admin
7 GREETINGS FROM TAIPEI! // Apr 12, 2009 at 5:49 am
Hi JEM, greetings from Taipei!
I enjoyed reading your Lionel Richie review, I only wish I had been at the SECC too, to see the man.
On Friday night I saw the Chinese singing star Tiger Huang Xiao Hu kick off her 2009 World Tour at the Taipei International Convenvention Centre, and it was an amazing concert!
http://www.lovetiger.com.tw/
All the best from far,far away
DJ DUGGY DAY
8 LIONAL RICHIE HOT TICKET AT SECC // Apr 10, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Hello everybody can’t let that Duggy Day think he is the only one with ‘HOT TICKETS’ around here.
Glasow’s SECC was packed out to welcome the LEGEND that is LIONEL RICHIE at last nights concert. Dressed all in black expept for white shoes the man just appeared on stage unannounced taking every one by suprise especially all those queuing in the bars. Right from the off starting with ‘Easy’ he was in to his hits telling the audience he was going to sing every song he could remember and for over two hours he did, he even asked us girls to sing along to DIANA ROSS’ lines as he sang ‘Endless Love’ which we all did although they wouldn’t let us join him on the stage to sing it, not for the lack of trying let it be said.
I saw him the last time he was in Glasgow and he was good then and I can only say and from the standing ovation at the end from over 10,000 he is even better now (hope duggy day enjoys his future concerts –seems to be having a run of bad luck concert wise, far, far away in Beijing.
JEM-Dunoon Rocks
9 DJ Duggy Day // Apr 2, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Hello again Dunoon Folk! Greetings from China.
As it turned out my hot wee concert tickets of a few months ago turned stone cold as firstly the much heralded Oasis gig was cancelled.
Then Sarah Brightmans Symphony Concert live in Beijing turned out to be a huge dissapointment!
Nevermind, next week I’m flying down to Taiwan to see Chinese superstar Tiger Huang Xiao Hu’s sold-out concerts at the famed TICC.
I’ve also managed to get my hands on tickets to see probably the biggest Chinese pop concert in Beijing this year so far, its the Chinese Superband Concert which features 4 big stars in its line-up, including my personal favourites: Lo Da Yu and Emil Chou.
Lots of exciting music festivals are being organised to happen from next month, and will continue thru the summer so the music scene here will soon start hotting up!
10 DJ Duggy Day // Mar 5, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Its major dissapointment all round for rock music fans here in Beijing, as Oasis Live in China 2009 just isn’t going to happen!
I’ve already got my tickets, so its back to the ticket office for a refund, what a shame!
Still, there is Sarah Brightman this month, and the Superband Concert next month featuring 4 Chinese superstars.
Travis are on a world tour right now, it would be great to see them live in Beijing, especially after their massive concert in Seoul Korea just last week!
11 DJ DUGGY DAY HAS "HOT TICKETS" // Feb 4, 2009 at 3:01 am
Happy Niu Year of the ox, niu being the Chinese word for ox.
Its great to see all the big gigs that are going to be happening in Scotland in the coming weeks and months.
I’m in Beijing in China, and here we are expecting a few big stars in town for concerts in the coming months. These include Sarah Brightman on March 22, and Oasis on April 3 to name just two. All the best! DJ Duggy
http://cribeyondbeijing.com/
12 FIRST EVER DOWNLOAD // Jan 14, 2009 at 8:29 pm
No stopping me now after my very fist ever download on Christmas day of the George Michael’s song December Song. Following your link was very easy and I really suprised myself with my achievement. Thanks Victor, I hope I was not the only one who saw your write up and take advantage of this wee Christmas Gift.
Good luck to everyone at Dunoon Community Radio for the coming year in all your endeavours to bring to Dunoon it’s very own Radio Station.
GM & DCR FAN VICKY
13 New Year In Oban-Where To Next Year? // Jan 14, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Hi Guys, Good write up from Ben G on the big night at Oban he managed to fill in some of the gaps and explained where all the cash went.
Why don’t you guys organise a big night for next New Year. Dunoon is ideally situated for such an event and would be massive popular although the supermarket car -park in oban is some size. When do we get to hear the tunes-respect- Gibby & The Corporation
14 CHRISTMAS DAY PRESENT FROM GM FOR FANS // Dec 4, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Hello Vicky, Thanks for getting in touch.
We here at DCR, like you, dont mind admitting to being fans of GM and his tunes will not be forgotten once we are “ON AIR”.
A new song was promised by George from the stage of his final night of his “FINAL TWO” concert at Londons Earls Court last August which in reference to the Abu Dhabi concert was totally sold out!
The latest on his web site is, a song written with his long time friend David Austin and produced by George has been recorded.
The song is called December Song (I dreamed of Christmas) and is available to download on Christmas Day from his web site Free of all charge!
For those who dont know http://www.georgemichael.com is where to go and registar.
This is the first Christmas song George has recorded since the 1984 Wham! classic LAST CHRISTMAS.
I know what I shall be making a point of doing on Christmas Day!
Let us know what you think of the tune-Victor@Admin
15 George Michael Farewell Concert in Abu Dhabi // Dec 3, 2008 at 9:43 pm
As a fan way back to the Wham days I thought it sad to read George was to have his final (farewell)
concert in Abu Dhabi and then even sadder to read that the organisers of the gig couldn’t sell
the tickets.
It was reported that in a bid to avoid a half-empty arena they gave thousands of tickets away free– SO SAD.
Do any of you radio people know anything about a Christmas release, or is it just a rumour, I have checked out the usual outlets but can’t find any reference. Love the site.
GM fan Vicky
16 KYLIE MONOGUE X 2008 TOUR // Dec 2, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Here is the latest concert report from our good friend DJ Duggy Day who sends greeting to all DCR supporters from a Chilly BEIJING—
Last night I saw KYLIE MONOGUE’S fabulous X2008 concert here in BEIJING, and she was AMAZING!
About 6000 excitedfans were at the concert and most of us were on our feet throughout the show singing along.
One of the highlights of the show was when Kylie spoke to the audience in Mandarin Chinese telling us that she was so happy to be in China.
It was the best concert I have seen this year-WOW-DJ Duggy Day
17 GEORGE BENSON & AL JARREAU IN CONCERT BEIJING // Sep 9, 2008 at 9:46 am
Hi Victor and the DCR Crew, greetings again fae Beijing.
The Great George Benson & amp; Al Jarreau brought thier Givin It Up tour to Beijing last week, and what a show it was!
They came on stage together to do the sets first song, then we were treated to a wonderful hour of classic Al Jarreau music.
The second hour belonged to Mr George Benson who was in good voice performing a nice selection of his pop and jazz hits, though I especially enjoyed seeing him play that guitar!
The finale’ brought both stars back on stage together to perform some tracks from thier current Grammy Award winning album.
It was great to see them here, and a good show too! -DJ. Duggy Day.
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