Outside of the pub, before the show, on my mobile.
A tired looking fellow in glasses is walking toward the tour bus. I say "Good Evening, Jake". I get a simple "Oi Mate", in return. This is of course cool.
Now, I am in the pub having a few, when Jake comes into the bar with Ian and Ali.
Only one or two people recognize them. One guy asks to have his photo taken with Jake. This, of course, is silly and I am embarrassed for him.
Now, next door in club. It only holds about 300 people. I take off my coat and prepare myself. Woman next to me sees I am wearing a Triumph shirt. She proceeds to tell about her Triple which she wrecked back in 70s. Then she started going on about Monty Python skits, and I completely tuned out. (Yes, there's a penguin on the telly...ha, I saw that one too, yes.)
Stiff Little Fingers come on at around 10:15.
They sound great. Jake kept complaining about the vocal monitors. Now, no offense intended, but if you're 50 years old, and you're standing in front of a Marshall stack, Jake, I don't suspect you're going to clearly hear the floor vocal monitor.
Anyway, the band jumped about like they were teenagers.
Ali McMordie is still a M'Fkr on the bass. I could not hear Ian's guitar... but it hardly mattered. Jake does an amazing job of rhythms and leads.
They came back for two encores...which was very cool.
And, off they went into the night.
Sleep well tonight Belfast... your boys did great.