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AIBU?

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Original poster

To wonder why Irish people love Garth Brooks so much?

86 replies

IvorCutler · 09/09/2022 21:40

He’s currently playing in Dublin (a series of gigs over this weekend and next). Apparently 1 in 14 people on the island of Ireland will attend 1 of his concerts… 1 in 3 in Monaghan and 1 in 5 in Tyrone.

I’ve been living in Ireland for 20 years but haven’t met a fan (that I’m aware of). I find it fascinating that people here are so into him!

OP posts:
Original poster
IvorCutler · 09/09/2022 23:21

My dh is Irish and does love music, no interest in Garth though!

OP posts:
washingbasketqueen · 09/09/2022 23:23

I have tickets and can't wait. Dublin is his only European gig I believe so there might be a lot of blow ins at it.

Whitney168 · 09/09/2022 23:24

Next Saturday for me!

Dotcheck · 09/09/2022 23:25

BrandyandGinger · 09/09/2022 21:47

Colin Farrell used to go around the country line dancing professionally when Garth Brooks was at his 'Friends in Low Places' peak popularity. I don't know why but that fact always makes me smile.

Was Colin Farrell even old enough to do this when Friends in Low Places was out?

DeanStockwelll · 09/09/2022 23:47

I am not Irish but I love his music , I wish I could see him live .

DeanStockwelll · 09/09/2022 23:49

I would also love to see Billy Joel live too and they duet every now and then now that would be worth paying a lot for !

Florenz · 09/09/2022 23:59

Country music not being popular here is one of the major popular culture differences between the UK and US, it's huge over there. I'm surprised to hear it's popular in Ireland too, never realised that.

Pallisers · 10/09/2022 00:06

I'm Irish (now american) and love country music and would definitely go to see him if I could. I think a lot of american country music has its roots in the music of the diaspora including Irish (bringing it all back home) so it resonates.

His performance at Joe Biden's inauguration was class.

Septemberslooming · 10/09/2022 00:14

I live in NI and don't know anyone who's going so it must be some other demographic who's into him.

EmeraldShamrock1 · 10/09/2022 00:25

Any of the fans I'm familiar with are Dubs born and breed rocking the cowboy hat look this week.

It's a pity the hotels are costing a fortune for visitors.

CatNights · 10/09/2022 00:37

BrandyandGinger · 09/09/2022 22:06

There won't be many more posts on this thread tonight because all the Irish mumsnetters are up in Dublin partying and not checking their phones. I wish I was with them. He's supposed to be a great performer, in the Bruce Springsteen league.

Please don't mention Garth Brooks and the Boss in the same sentence.

magicstar1 · 10/09/2022 00:46

I’m just home from the first concert and it was absolutely brilliant. I’m not a culchie…Dub through and through, but I love his music.
I saw Garth in the Point in 1994, and three nights in Croke Park in 1997. His show was as full on tonight as then. He sang totally live, ran around like 25 years ago and was phenomenal.

TightPants · 10/09/2022 00:58

My aunt had a guest house on Gardiner St in Dublin and loved it when Garth Brooks played there. She could have sold every room 10 times over.

My Irish bestie saw him yesterday.
I wouldn’t know him if I fell over him.

ChimneyPot · 10/09/2022 01:13

I am from Monaghan and strongly suspect the 1 in 3 figure is actually just the same people going to all the shows!

Deadringer · 10/09/2022 01:13

Also Irish and don't know anyone who likes him. I also can't remember the last time I heard one of his songs on the radio, or sung in pubs/clubs when I am out. Baffling.

AgathaMystery · 10/09/2022 01:15

Not sure why we can’t mention The Boss & GB in the same thread but…

for the previous poster who would like to see Billy Joel, I last saw him live just before Covid and his voice is really gone now. So sad. He was still great but it wasn’t like he used to be.

Bruce is the king of live gigs but I reckon GB is going to come close. They are very different performers but for me, seeing Bruce live was akin to a religious experience. I’ve heard that GB stadium tours are the same.

would love it if anyone who is there this weekend could report back!!

TarasChoc · 10/09/2022 01:21

I'm Irish and a proud Culchie and you couldn't pay me to go.
We lived outside Ireland when the crazy line dancing phenomenon took over. We used to come back to find lots of people we knew attending line dancing classes and dancing multiple times a week.
Thankfully that craze only lasted a few years but I hold it responsible for killing off the once thriving disco scene.

CherrySmiler · 10/09/2022 01:21

A friend at QUB introduced his music to me in the early 90s when we were 18. The Dance is a beautiful song. I would love to see him. Wish he was coming to London.

ForeverFaithless · 10/09/2022 02:04

I was out in the garden earlier and heard it kicking off, depends on the direction the wind is blowing.
I immediately felt sorry for my brother and his husband, who live a couple of streets away from Croker. No fans among any of my family.

Stillfunny · 10/09/2022 04:06

I was surprised how popular country and western music is in NI . Live performances with local talent that have big attendances . Whole radio stations devoted to it.
I wouldn't go to see Garth Brooks if he was playing in my garden .

stayathomer · 10/09/2022 05:29

Hold on: if a lot of people know people trying to sell tickets does that not mean 1 in 14 people in Ireland thought they’d make a quick buck on Garth Brooks?!🧐😉

Bukhara · 10/09/2022 06:24

Country music is huge in rural Ireland, especially the midlands and northwest. Most radio stations have a ‘Country and Irish’ show

And honestly, while GB leaves me cold, I can understand his appeal more than the baffling André Rieu with the whole ‘same Strauss waltzes and polkas in ball gowns played to weeping Dutch and Belgians’ shtick.

BrandyandGinger · 10/09/2022 07:05

www.rte.ie/archives/exhibitions/1862-before-fame/474090-colin-farrell-line-dancing/

I don't know if this link will work. Colin Farrell definitely looks too young to be out of school and doing this for a living.

over2021 · 10/09/2022 07:09

I'm not Irish but if Garth Brooks was playing near me I'd be there. I love country music and he's like a founding father for me!