The world of Irish music is in mourning, after the sad announcement of the death of Christy Dignam. The Aslan frontman passed away at 63 on Tuesday, after a near-decade-long battle with a rare form of incurable blood cancer.
Dignam will be remembered most fondly not only for his recorded music with Aslan, but their legendary live performances, and there is one that will stick in the memory of Irish musicians and music lovers for years to come.
There are few gigs more iconic in Irish music culture than the five-night run by Dignam and Aslan at Vicar Street in 1999.
The sold out run brought passionate hometown crowds every night for the Dublin-based band, and the atmosphere was electric in one of the capital's most beloved venues.
One of the city's most beloved sons, Christy Dignam, took to the stage with Aslan in March of 1999, with the band recording a concert film during the five-night run. Plenty of footage from that film is still available on YouTube, and it is a testament to the brilliance of the band, with Dignam's vocals standing out in a brilliant set.
All of the band's biggest hits, including the immortal 'Crazy World' were cracked out during the set, as well as some surprising covers. The response from the crowd, and the energy on stage, make all of the clips an outstanding watch.
Christy Dignam dies at 63: Remembering his immortal Vicar Street performance
Christy Dignam leaves behind a brilliant legacy in the world of Irish music. His work with Aslan was a staple of the Irish charts in the late 20th century, and their presence remains to this day.
The 1999 Vicar Street run was perhaps the pinnacle of their connection with Irish audiences, with footage from the concert film capturing the adoration for the band from the crowd in their hometown of Dublin.
The closing song of their main set was their debut single from 1986, 'This Is'. The clip opens with the band urging the audience to sing the opening lines alone, an invitation they don't hesitate to take. It is a "goosebumps" moment, and the performance from the band lives up to the energy from the crowd.
One thing that stands out throughout the gig is the strength of Christy Dignam's vocals. The singer - then 39 - belts out the high notes in every song like it's nothing, showcasing his amazing talent at the peak of its power.
The band made the choice to cover Pink Floyd's iconic 'Wish You Were Here' as part of their encore and, though nothing may surpass the original's quality, it is a phenomenal tribute to one of the great rock songs of the 1970s, and the "Aslan spin" put on the song only adds to it.
— Aslan (@OfficialAslan) June 13, 2023
And, of course, there's 'Crazy World'.
Perhaps Aslan's best ever work - and certainly their most adored in Ireland - it does not disappoint at Vicar Street. Dignam and co. play the crowd perfectly, and it is arguably an improvement on the studio recording of the song. The sheer vigour and energy of the performance is something special, and the home crowd are absolutely loving belting out the chorus.
At points, Dignam's vocals are nearly drowned out by the power of the Vicar Street audience singing along, a beautiful testament to the song's place in the hearts of Irish music lovers.
There are many more snippets of the concert easily accessed on YouTube, while the concert film was also accompanied by a live album recording of the run in Vicar Street.
The album can be accessed on Spotify here.
On this sad day, it is a time to remember what made Aslan and, in particular, Christy Dignam, so beloved in the hearts of the Irish public.
Christy Dignam, you will be so dearly missed.
