GALLERY: The Zoo/Underground Reunion Gig in Kilkenny (2023)

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A packed Set Theatre was filled with nostalgia on Sunday night as bands from the glory days of Kilkenny’s Underground gigs reunited for the special occasion.

The 2003 Battle of the Bands winners Itchy Trigger Finger, fronted by Jimmy Trigger who travelled home from Los Angeles for the show, were joined by Chemical Addiction, White Noise and Bad Mothers Union.

All the bands bar one reunited especially for the event while Chemical Addiction have remained a working band ever since The Zoo closed its doors.

Special tribute was made on the night to four people that had passed away since the final Underground gig - Eoin McDonald (who never missed a gig), Geraldine Roche (who would ensure the club was clean and ready for the show), Joe Cleere (who was a regular at all the gigs) and Ross Costigan (who would photograph all of the bands back in the day).

Proceeds from the event are being presented to Teac Tom in Ross Costigan’s honour.

Although not a regular at the gigs, Willie Meighan was also remembered as someone who supported all aspects of the music scene in Kilkenny.

Speaking on the night, organiser Andrew McGuinness thanked all the bands that played down through the years and the crowd that supported the gigs, saying that they gave him ‘some of the best years of my life so far’.

He also praised the crowd for always ensuring the gigs were inclusive and welcoming for everyone.

Finishing up his speech, Andrew put out a challenge to local venues to give young people a chance.

“I’ll leave you with this to think about,” he said.

“Kilkenny’s young people need this again. What we had was special but it’s so important and after all these years we see that more than ever. So, if there’s a venue out there willing to take a chance on Kilkenny’s young people, to allow them to have that creative hub, that all-inclusive social outlet, that platform to simply rock out with their friends, I’m ready and willing to try do it all again and I know there’s plenty in this room that would help. It’s time to bring it back, our young people deserve it.”