Amy Winehouse - The Dublin Castle
- Posted on April 24, 2007 2:59 PM
- 26 comments
Amy Winehouse, The Dublin Castle - 19th April 2007
By Katie Spain
It's well past the scheduled time for Amy Winehouse to hit the stage. The crowd's chanting bounces off the walls - "Where's the wino, where's the wino?" The Dublin Castle is full to the gills with Camden Crawl revellers; all keen and a little apprehensive about whether she'll even show up. There's nothing like an evening of suspense in a little North London pub.
Earlier, as I lined up to get in, I'd read a report about a gig she'd done today in Bristol. Unsurprisingly, it focussed on her backstage beverage requests. That's the thing about Amy; she's the modern-day jazz chick with enough raw edge and public troubles to make her media's most interesting darling. Why follow pop princesses around when you can hound a semi-slaughtered, dishevelled, loud-mouthed waif with an attitude? Add her even gobbier rock-star mates into the equation and you've got yourself a journo's dream date. That's exactly why we all love her... but let's not forget - the woman has a gut-wrenchingly amazing voice. And tonight, that's what we're here for.
There's an undercurrent of electric anticipation in the crowd this evening. We know we're in for a treat of delightfully intimate proportions. The stage is small, so when six strapping jazz musicians take their place we wonder whether Miss Winehouse will fit between them. Luckily, the woman is tiny... surprisingly so in the flesh - I'm talking height and girth. I knew there was a motive behind that massive hair. As a security guard hoists her tiny frame (and two large drinks) on stage, we can't help but stare. She's wearing a white singlet, with an eye-catching yellow and blue bra (and the cleavage to go with it) visible beneath it. Her jet black hair is bunched above her head like a beehive and a bird's nest rolled into one and the trade-mark jet black eyeliner (above the eye ladies) does what it is supposed to - draws our own eyes in. Of course, every muso needs a pair of skinny jeans... Amy's hang from her barely-there hips in an almost tentative fashion. It's enough to make a 'non-skinny framed' girl go lime-green with envy.
But, we're here for the music - not a catwalk and by the looks of the set-list we're in for a long set. Amy wobbles a little behind the mic, be it bright lights, booze or something altogether different, she seems a little 'preoccupied'. Maybe that's what it's like to be in Amy world. She seems somewhat disjointed and between songs fiddles constantly with the tip of the mic stand. She stares into space (or is it the direction of the bar)... but as an audience, we don't feel disjointed in the slightest because when she opens her mouth, the raw gritty jazz vocals slap us in the face and leave us begging for more.
She plays most of the tracks from her album 'Back To Black' and then some. Amy has a stage presence that commands attention. Intoxicated or not, she is the pinnacle of professionalism as soon as she bursts into song. This is a girl with enormous talent and a sense of humour to match. She's animated, bouncy and frequently explodes with laughter for no apparent reason. The drummer is invited to take his shirt off and the collective audience is spoken to as if we're sharing a pint at the pub.
"I'm thirsty" our songstress tells us between numbers. "The first person to get me a shot of tequila gets a kiss - from their choice of band member". Wow, all that singing must be thirsty work.
"Actually, get me a bottle and you get a sex act". The crowd roar... they love her - but no-one more so than the lucky lad who delivers a double shot to the lady in waiting. True to her word, she delivers a kiss on his flushed cheek. He even gets another one... a double counts as two you know. With a laugh, Winehouse lets one slip; "I'd better watch out - my fiancé is here!"
Little do we know, there's mayhem going on outside. I've endured three hours of standing, bruised kneecaps and a weird spitting photographer to secure my place at the front. Others, it seems have not been so fortunate. Hoards of hopefuls were turned away at the door when the venue reached capacity. Friends star David Schwimmer got in, but others were not so lucky. It looks like these bruises are worth their ugly purple weight in gig-going gold.
Amy tells us to talk to the Dublin Castle Manager about securing a residency. "No, I'm serious" she insists. Somehow, I doubt it's likely... but the idea is a nice one. The venue has a place in most London music fan's hearts - after all, it was here that the Camden Crawl originated... ten years ago. Being part of history is a damn fine feeling - and don't we know it.
She rounds off the evening with her Mark Ronson collaboration 'Valerie' and as the final tune belts forth from her hefty set of lungs, we nestle safe in the knowledge that this is one of the modern jazz greats. Big venues, small venues, intoxicated or sober... Amy has what it takes to entertain a crowd. Beer, bourbon and wine aside, she is a first-class performer. She's like the kid your parents didn't want you to play with but that everyone secretly wants to be. As I emerge from the Castle and step towards the paparazzi's outstretched talons, it dawns on me... maybe it ain't so easy being Amy after all.
Have you seen Amy live in concert? What was it like? Do you have a message for her? Spill the beans in our comments section.
Comments (26)
Bob Herbert
Amy please come to The Brentwood Centre and please save me 2 tickets. We think you are fabulous.
Thanks
Posted on July 10, 2007 6:57 AM
che neville
hi my name is che and i am 8years old and i love your music and i am a big fan of yours my mum got me into you cause she played your cd everyday
Posted on July 11, 2007 11:43 AM
Kim
AMY, PLEASE COME TO NYC CENTRAL PARK SUMMER STAGE!!!... that would be so awesome if you could!
Posted on July 25, 2007 1:23 PM
Aaron
Hi
please come somewhere near bristol
Posted on July 25, 2007 3:57 PM
John and Daniela Guillette
We love your music. Not too often does talent like yours fall upon our ears. Please come and play in Toronto Canada, so that we Canadians can see and hear you in person.
Posted on July 27, 2007 11:35 PM
Fojan
o looooove you and your music amy!!!
i'm going to be in london when you have your concert there 24.november.07 but the tickets are really expensive.
i'll maybe save up enough money by the next time you have a concert i can go to!
keep up the good work you are the best and most talented artist on the planet! and don't let anyone tell you anything different!!!!
love Fojan (14 year old girl)
Posted on August 12, 2007 11:31 AM
Alice ford
I think your music is brillant and it's great you write all your own stuff.I hope you sort yourself out and get off the drugs though.I used to do coke and brown but I've slowed right down since I had my daughter emilie three years ago.ANYWAY keep up the good work I think your brillant.
Posted on August 17, 2007 11:17 AM
sandy doherty
love the your songs and wanna come to a concert soon,what is tanqueray? is rich girls coming out soon?,(fave song of glasto)where does the lovely Zannon play/dance? so many questions, so litte time xx
Posted on August 17, 2007 12:13 PM
alysha hackett
hey gurl just wanted to say how much your music has helped me chill out, scream and laugh at my life. its been a real help, trust me. why is we always up on the kitchen floor ay1 take it easy keepgoing burd you got it sussed, love ya x
Posted on August 18, 2007 2:19 PM
Anthony 'brown-eyes'
Your voice makes me cry. Could you cover; Nina Simone's - To Love Somebody. And Frank Sinatra's My Way. I will be eternally indebt to you. Anything by Bille Holliday.
Posted on August 22, 2007 1:37 PM
Lucy x
hiya amy i tink ur gr8 m uncle loves yu n i wanna no will u cum2 da brentwood centre cos ur brill email me n save me5 tickets byeeee xxx
Posted on August 24, 2007 12:16 AM
Lucy :)
Hey, Amy.
I know it's a crap hole but PLEASE,
come to southampton,
it would be a rave :)
x
Posted on August 24, 2007 12:56 PM
Rob Stokes
Saw amy at iow 2007 and rock wercheter in belgium 2007 this yr! both times i was blown away by how amazing and talented amy is! definately the hardest working artist ive seen this yr and would recommend to anyone to see her if u get the chance!! p.s please can you do a gig near bristol please please please?
Posted on September 19, 2007 5:43 PM
mimi
wow!!!you reli rock i love ur music ..ur differnt than others:)please set date and time and come camden!!!!:)
Posted on September 24, 2007 7:40 PM
Leila Azul
Hi Amy! (if it is really you -hopefully- that reads this).
I'm from Argentina, I arrived in London in June. First encounter with your name was reading MOJO magazine. ... WINEHOUSE; and was very intrigued by your sir name. Just a couple of days after that I saw you on tv in Glastonbury doing 'Rehab' -cliche, I know-. I wasn't looking at the screen but I heard "no, no, no" and my head involuntarily turned straight towards the telly. I ab-solute-ly fell in love with your image. Let alone your voice.
After that, you were everywhere, though not in the most flattering way... I never cared.
Week after that, I bought 'FRANK'. Just HOW good can you be? I used to sing. Now I got nodules. And I'm depresed. But you're just inspirational.
I'm going back to Argentina 7th November, so I very sadly won't be able to see you live. But I'm coming back 25/11 and hopefully then I'll get a chance!
Meanwhile, I'll keep my fingers crossed to find you in some bar, get you a drink and talk about music.
Call me a dreamer, just thought it was worth posting.
Que sea rock! (let it roll)
Posted on September 27, 2007 11:38 AM
allison mandy stewart
oh my god, wow u realy r sumthing els a chronicle of uniqueness a wonderful visual in lectures !!!! i admire your abilityto marry crack smack and a fucking r&r life & still bang out your beautiful sounds. my dream isto have a the time of my life out with you i bet youre a sensitive soul to write such beautiful lyrics... im seeing you when youre in leeds if not then the south but ive gotta see ya gig 4 xmas. i love you but i think you should ditch the B keep up the beautiful soundsxxxxx
Posted on October 4, 2007 12:05 AM
alison
wow hi amy im coming to see you on nov 14 and im taking my girlfriend as a suprise is there any chance you could do me a big favor and ask her to marry me her name is donna and yes we are lesbain. i can see how happy in love you are
Posted on October 14, 2007 8:41 PM
katie
i think amy is amazing and all the stuff u do i dnt no why people dnt let u get on with it its ur life i love ya music cumin to see ya soon wish i could meet u in person if u cud let me av 2 tickets to see ya then that wud be cool thanks luv ya
Posted on October 22, 2007 4:20 PM
andrew
ignore all the shit your currently getting, theres not many on this EARTH as good as you!
Posted on November 1, 2007 6:39 PM
Jules
Hi Amy, Hope your doing ok, will be coming to Brixton to see you in November (shit not been to Brixton for 7 years) I lived in S.E.11 for over 20 years then married a soldier and have been traveling abit but looking forward to coming back home and seeing you sing girl. good luck, Hope you can get your shit together xxx
Posted on November 6, 2007 4:35 PM
michaela rubery
hello amy keep on rocking and lets see another albulm sooon please .hopeing to see you in concert soon . dont let anybody grind you down you just play your music that everyone wants to hear.take carexx
Posted on November 9, 2007 2:31 PM
steph
hi, please cum to brimingham 2 moz my dad loves u and im takin him 4 his xmas prez please xx
Posted on November 13, 2007 10:18 PM
CHARLOTTE
WAT AN OUTSTANDING SINGER LOVE YOUR STYLE AND LYRICS TOP BIRD RECKON WED HAV A PHAT SESH IF WE MET LOL BIG UP YOURSELF AMY
Posted on November 16, 2007 9:39 PM
Dominic
Amy,what happened in Brum hun?? we were really looking forward to seeing you, but it wasnt your best performance. we know your going thru a tough time, so come on , prove all them synics wrong, come back to birmingham and show us all just how bloody wonderfull you really are!!
Posted on November 26, 2007 9:38 PM
DAWN
HI AMY GET WELL SOON LUV, GET YOUR ARSE INTO GEAR GET BETTER.THEN YOU CAN GET A WELCOME LIKE NO OTHER AT NEWCASTLE.WE LUV YOU CHIC
Posted on February 12, 2008 6:18 PM
AVRIL
I don't think you realise it, but you are the biggest female star (ever)!!!!! Please try and do a gig in Scotland soon. You blitzed the Brits. Look forward, not back, ALWAYS....
Posted on February 25, 2008 4:01 PM
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