Dark Space at the Project, a 24 hour non-stop festival. Sadly, Public Image Limited and Throbbing Gristle had to pull out, but it was still a great showcase for what was happening musically in Ireland at the time.

Coincidently, this was the same weekend that BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel visited Belfast and made a trip to the Harp bar. Unfortunately, the venue was quite empty as many of the punks had made their way south to Dublin for the Dark Space Festival. John did however manage to see the Xdreamysts, who were playing that night and he received a very warm welcome from those in attendance.

Below are some memories of people from Belfast who attended the event.

Memories of Dark Space – an Idiot or Four in Dublin

We made our way to Dublin on the train and were joined by Alternative Ulster’s Gavin Martin. The organisers had contacted Terri Hooley and asked for a few bands. Terri suggested Rudi, Protex and ourselves – with a fee of £50 – By that stage Dee was out of the band and had been replaced by Graham Johnston – who was a year above me at school and was a friend of David McMaster, Owen McFadden and Paul Maxwell of Protex. Graham was totally different from Dee and was a very easy-going guy and a very good bass player. With Graham on board, we were becoming much tighter,and Dublin was to be his debut. He had also played on our recording of Teenager in Love for the film Shellshock Rock – At any rate off we went with our instruments and a liquid carry out – ever the professionals! We made our way to Temple Bar and found the Project Arts Centre – which had a few rooms and seemed alright as a venue. We then went to the local bar and met up with Rudi and a few mates. To my shame I was already a the worse for wear and managed to get thrown out for attempting to hit Gordy Blair of Rudi – don’t ask me why I haven’t a clue!!

There was a glossy flyer for the gig which likened us to Sham 69! – probably much to Gary’s disgust – Gary always had a bit more sophisticated tastes than the rest of us – Billy and me would have been happy enough, although my own preferences were the Lurkers or Slaughter & the Dogs – as well as the Hotrods and the Ramones. Billy did like his rock and remember him playing Thin Lizzy’s Live and Dangerous and Cheap Trick’s live album when we were staying there. He also raved about somebody or other called Iron Maiden!! Like me Graham was a huge Bowie fan – if only his songs had been a bit easier – too many weird chords! Hunger was kicking in and we discovered a delicacy in the Centre – Coleslaw Sandwiches – surprisingly nice … but that might have been the drink! Walking back into the Centre I remember seeing this person with a yellow shirt and mop of curly yellow hair – who may well have been Adam Clayton of some band or other! The truth is that I don’t have any real memories of U2 at all – much as it would be nice to claim some sort of connection, sadly I don’t – not with them, themselves. I do however remember on the afternoon of the second day sitting talking to a very friendly girl who was with them – Alison – later to be Bono’s wife. We were just chatting about all sorts of stuff – which of course I don’t remember, but she did give me a small brown paper bag of about half a dozen U2 badges. I’m sure she doesn’t remember me at all, but it has stayed with me.

While I don’t have any strong memories of U2, I was much more struck with the Virgin Prunes, who certainly a whole different kettle of fish. We were chatting to them and I some point I think even mentioned the possibility of them coming up to Belfast – but that didn’t happen. Unfortunately, some mmmm..individual – possibly Dee, who came down with Rudi – decided to nick their stuffed ferret and wrecked it. Nothing to do with me and a bit stupid really.  One memory of their set was at some point someone stepped forward and said “Art Fuck” – beats me why but I guess that was the Virgin Prunes! Back to the first night and the gig itself. We’d all slowed down due a lack of funds and tiredness. We hung round watching the bands and chatting. At some point we lost Gary, who disappeared, and I reckon he went for a kip – wise man. There were lots of people down from Belfast and we were glad they were there. There were a few girls who were from south Belfast who came to the gigs – we knew them as Protex fans – but we spent some time with them anyway.  It is all a bit of a blur now – tiredness and fatigue took their toll on us – I remember not being impressed with the Dublin bands, although maybe that’s my Good Vibes bias talking!! By the time we were due to play on the Saturday morning Gary had resurfaced and we were all ready to do our bit. We had been allocated one hour … which was a challenge to say the least – hence we finished with a dodgy version of Johnny B Goode, during which Billy had a water pistol in full working order. My memories of playing are a bit vague, but I know we were happy with how we played, and we went down well – although the organisers were a bit stroppy with our 45-minute short set.  The rest of the day was quiet enough – with the highlights being my chat with the striking Alison and John Peel making an appearance.

One thing I would say is that elsewhere Dee has mentioned the Black Catholics and mentioned me having hassle. I would totally disagree and say I had no problem with anyone – apart from Gordy Blair at all! It’s more likely he had a falling out with the locals as he was always partial to getting into trouble. One final thing is that when the gig was over at 10ish on the Saturday night we had nowhere to stay – we hadn’t even thought about it. We had met a few girls who worked in an old people’s home. It was a fair bit away, but they said we could bed own in the living/common room – so that night we all bunked down – knackered but dry and glad for a much- needed sleep. I don’t know who they were, or are, but they really came through for us and I will always be grateful – Angels do come in all shapes and sizes..........Barry Young (The Idiots) February 2025.