- Music
- 13 Sep 17
It's never going to be "better than the real thing", but U2 fans won't want to miss the opportunity to party away in the company of some really good U2 tribute acts at a special two night event being organised at The Church Bar venue in Dublin later this month.
Entitled #WelcomeToTheNorthside, this is, in fact, actually the second time this year that this special U2 tribute event is being held at The Church. The now annual event was first staged in 2015 to celebrate U2's U2's 'iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE' show
After a jam packed weekend for the Joshua Tree gig in Dublin, which seen over 5,000 fans visit the Church Bar back in July to soak up the vibe –The Church Bar will celebrate U241 on 22 and 23 September with U2 Tribute Zooropa and U2 inspired band December, who will travel from Scotland to launch their new album of U2 covers.
On Friday 22 September, the Scottish band December will kick off the weekend at 8pm, followed by Zooropa on Saturday.
The tribute act Zooropa consists of four dedicated U2 fans that are also from the Northside of Dublin... just like their idols!
They have spent the last five years perfecting their act across venues in Ireland and Europe, which has led to them performing a sellout show in Dublin's Button Factory on the eve of U2's Croke Park Joshua Tree gig.
Zooropa cover songs from U2's full discography, from the first single 'Out of Control' to 'Every Breaking Wave' and now the latest single, 'You're The Best Thing About Me'.
Zooropa, who've a reputation among many to be one of the closest live experiences next to actually being at a U2 show, also cover some rare tracks and B side tracks that U2 themselves have not played live, or in many a year.
The Church Bar Dublin has built up a strong rep as one of U2 fans favourite venues these days. It's now the base for the Official U2 Fans Touring Group who help fans secure tickets for sold out shows always at cost price use The Church as their base when in Ireland.
Last year, to celebrate U2’s momentous milestone of 40 years together as officially the greatest band on the planet, a special tribute gig by cover band U2Baby was held in a packed to capacity Church Bar on Jervis Street.
The U2Baby band received great praise from former U2 band member Ivan McCormick who attended the gig. “And I had to do a double-take when I saw these guys take to the stage in a crowded, hot and sweaty bar... With a few pints of Guinness blurring the edges - no pun intended – I was transported back to '78 and the Dandelion Market gigs,” he told Hot Press.
And longtime friend of the band Guggi quipped: “I thought U2Baby were amazing. I think I prefer them to U2 – and it was much easier to get in!”
And after the Joshua Tree gig back in July, even the 'Boy' himself Peter Rowen who graced the cover of all the early U2 artwork could be spotted mingling with the crowd.
"Over this special weekend we will also have #WelcomeToTheNorthside Cocktail Specials and some U2 prizes to be won," said a spokesperson for the event. "It promises to be a great Irish 'Welcome to The Northside of Dublin', to all who are travelling from across the globe to celebrate the greatest band in The World - U2."
The Church has a musical history that dates back to April 1742 when George Frederic Handel practiced his music from Messiah, before its first public performance on Fishamble street. The Church is the best spot in town to give visiting fans a Warm #WelcomeToTheNorthside of Dublin.
"There's No Cover charge for any of these events so get there early," the spokesperson added. "We Accept Bookings for Groups Of 10 + To Reserve an Area in our Restaurant or to reserve group area to see The Band Live Contact us at [email protected] Or Call (01)8280102."
Use the hashtags #WelcomeToTheNorthside and #TheChurchDublin to keep up to date.