Paolo, Paolo, Paolo. Need I say anymore? I'm talking about the one and only, Mr Nutini. I went to Dublin at the weekend to see the man himself at Marlay Park. I know, I know, there he goes again I hear you cry! I've been up and down to Glasgow Airport like a right wee floozy recently - my MasterCard is cowering in the corner, and threatening to up and leave me.
In my defense, this trip was booked months ago, I missed Paolo's rescheduled gig at the SSE Hydro due to me still being onstage in Panto at the Pavilion. My pal Lesley is a superfan of Paolo, actually, I don't anyone who isn't. We combined the gig with a weekend in Dublin since it's the summer holidays. I really know how to treat myself, eh?
My friend and the youngest McConnon sister Nichole is now here on holiday from Australia (If you want to talk about jetsetters, look no further than that family) We were joined by Careen, Nichole's best pal and my pal Donna. Five giddy lassies off to the Fair City; it was always going to be a wild one!
We were up at 6am to get the first flight over in order to have saturday day for wandering around. It was 11.50am before we had our first bottle of fizz, pretty admirable and restrained if you ask me. The weather was glorious, wall to wall sunshine, rooftop bar, and the place was buzzing. I was head over heels in love with Dublin already!
Marlay Park is 20 minutes outside of the city centre, we got dolled up for Paolo and off we trotted to the gig. Donna's man, John, plays in a band called Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5, and his best mate Dave, is Paolo's guitarist. Donna was our secret weapon. Dave very kindly sorted us out with hospitality passes for the gig and invites to the aftershow party. I've met a few well kent faces in my time, but I'm not going to lie; this was pretty cool and I fancied us all something rotten.
Marlay Park was a beautiful venue. The sun stayed out, everyone was sitting on the grass, and it was a total festival atmosphere. We missed the first support act, but caught Imelda May who was sensational. That big, baudy voice got everyone right in the mood. Yer man Nutini was brilliant! I've been a fan of his for years now and always thought he was great, but he's on a total roll right now. Vocally stunning and his performance had us all eating out of the palm of his hand.
Afterparty time. We were all pure fan girls and asked for a photo, but Paolo couldn't have been lovelier. He is so down to earth and was up for a blether, even more so because we were a Glasgow contingent in Dublin.
We chatted about his Glasgow Summer Sessions gig at Bellahouston Park - he's only gone and booked the legendary Grace Jones as one of his opening acts! (Yes, I totally pretended I had a hula hoop and recreated her Glastonbury performance from a few years back in front of him!) If you think that's cringy, Lesley totally lost it and gave us all a hilariously comedic, "I carried a watermelon" moment that we will never let her forget. (Thanks Les! Thumbs up!) Poor Paolo, his heid must have been nippin. On our way back to the airport we played best and worst bit.
Best: Meeting Paolo's mum, Linda, she loves River City and I love her.
Worst bit: Having a rammy with a herd of menopausal hens in the pub before coming home. I wrote the book on backchat dolls, never take on a gay man in a bitch fight. You won't win. On the plus side, if that bride to be with a face like a melted welly boot managed to get a ring on her finger, then there's hope for me yet. Always end on a positive and all that. Hags.
I have to give a special mention to my Auntie Marion, who just happened to be in Dublin on the same weekend as us. My mum's younger sister has lived on Jersey, in the Channel Islands for nearly 30 years. We see her every year, but it was so lovely and special to have some impromptu time together in Dublin. Auntie Marion was on a girls trip for her pal Jane's 50th birthday celebrations (Happy Birthday Jane!), but we stole her for a boozy Sunday session before we headed home. It's all a bit hazy as to who corrupted whom, but my wee Auntie was knocking back a sambuca for breakfast, then another for lunch with the rest of us! I come from good stock.
I attended a fundraiser for Beat Epilepsy this week at the Blythswood Square Hotel. My wonderful friend Edward Reid was hosting the afternoon tea to raise funds for the Muir Maxwell Trust. They want to provide families with an alarm that alerts them to any seizures suffered by their children during the night. We heard from sufferers themselves and parents of children who have epilepsy. Ann Maxwell, who set up the trust is a force to be reckoned with and everyone was blown away by her. The event was so much fun! Cupcakes, fizz and a free feather boa. Edward and I were camping it right up with our dates for the day. He had the beautiful Jean Johannson on his arm and I was the guest of my gorgeous pal, Clare Dunn. Some boys get aw the luck! For more information on the trust visit:www.muirmaxwelltrust.com
Follow me on Twitter: @G_aryLamont
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