Point Theatre

:"For other uses, see The Point. For the rebranded venue, see The O₂, Dublin."The Point Theatre (often referred to as the Point Depot or simply as the Point) was a concert and events venue in Ireland, that ran from 1988 - 2007, enjoyed by in excess of 2 million people. [cite web|url=http://www.dublintourist.com/details/point_theatre.shtml|title="The Point Theatre"|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher=DublinTourist.com] It was located on the North Wall Quay of the River Liffey, amongst the Dublin Docklands. The Point was closed in the summer of 2007 for a major redevelopment and underwent a rebranding as the O₂ in July 2008. [cite web|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/ontherecord/2008/07/02/meet-the-new-venue-on-the-block-the-o2/|title="Meet the new venue on the block - The O2"|date=2008-07-02|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher="The Irish Times"] [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2008/0702/pointtheatre.html|title=Point Theatre to re-open under new name|date=2008-07-01|accessdate=2008-09-19|publisher=RTÉ] Prior to the redevelopment the seated capacity was 8,500; it is set to rise to a 13,000 standing capacity in its new existence. [cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/o2-wins-naming-rights-for-stunning-new-point-1425944.html|title=O2 wins naming rights for 'stunning' new Point|date=2008-07-03|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher="Irish Independent"]

The Point was noted for its flexible seating configurations - over the years it has not only served as a venue for many different varieties of music concerts, but has also been turned into an ice rink, a boxing arena, a conference hall, an exhibition centre, a wrestling ring, a theatre, an opera house and a three ring circus.

History

The building was constructed in 1878 as a train depot to serve the nearby busy port. In the late 1980s, after many years of neglect and disuse, it was bought by local developer, Harry Crosbie and fitted with new balconies, offices and backstage facilities. Before it was renovated, U2 recorded track #2 of their 1988 album, "Rattle and Hum", "Van Diemen's Land" there. [cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/release/443803|title=U2 - Rattle And Hum|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher=Discogs]

The Point opened in 1988. Huey Lewis and the News were the first act to play there. U2 played four nights at the venue near the end of their Lovetown Tour from December 26-31, 1989. [cite web|url=http://www.u2gigs.com/show1066.html|title=1989-12-26: Point Depot - Dublin, Ireland|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher=U2 - Lovetown Tour] [cite web|url=http://www.u2gigs.com/show1067.html|title=1989-12-27: Point Depot - Dublin, Ireland|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher=U2 - Lovetown Tour] [cite web|url=http://www.u2gigs.com/show1068.html|title=1989-12-30: Point Depot - Dublin, Ireland|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher=U2 - Lovetown Tour] Their December 31 concert was broadcast live on radio stations around the world and was notable for frontman Bono's prophetic comment regarding U2 having to "go away and ... and dream it all up again." It later received an official online release via iTunes. [cite web|url=http://www.u2gigs.com/show1070.html|title=1989-12-31: Point Depot - Dublin, Ireland|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher=U2 - Lovetown Tour]

On June 19 1992, Def Leppard began their Seven Day Weekend Tour of Europe in the Point Depot, a tour designed to support their multi-million selling record, "Adrenalize". The show was the first time Def Leppard had brought their "in the round" stage show outside the United States and Canada. The stage was set in the middle of the arena and featured a revolving drum kit which could move to any point around the stage and a lighting rig which would move out over the audience during "Rocket". [ [http://www.deflepparduk.com/adren921.html www.deflepparduk.com - Information on the Def Leppard Dublin Show] ] It was the first time any band had brought an "in the round" stage show on an international tour and was also the first full show the band played with their new guitarist, Vivian Campbell (who had joined following the death of Steve Clark). [ [http://www.deflepparduk.com/savint92.html Interview: Hot Metal Magazine Issue 11 April 1992] ]

In the 1990s, the Point was seen by millions of European television viewers, as it was the venue for the Eurovision Song Contest on three separate occasions over four years, in 1994 [cite web|url=http://nulpoints.150m.com/1994.htm|title="Nul Points - Eurovision 1994"|accessdate=2008-10-08|] , 1995, [cite web|url=http://nulpoints.150m.com/1995.htm|title="Nul Points - Eurovision 1995"|accessdate=2008-10-08|] and 1997, [cite web|url=http://nulpoints.150m.com/1997.htm|title="Nul Points - Eurovision 1997"|accessdate=2008-10-08|] becoming the only venue to have hosted the final three times. Riverdance was first performed in the Point Depot, as the interval act during the Eurovision Song Contest 1994. [cite web|url=http://www.riverdance.ie/htm/multimedia/video_clips/index.htm|title="Video Clips"|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher=Riverdance]

Tragedy struck the Point on May 11 1996 in a night that would go down in the history of the venue. Due to overcrowding and moshing at a Smashing Pumpkins concert, [cite web|url=http://www.smashingpumpkins.com/audio_upload/audio/1996-05-22_dublin_ireland/|title="May 11, 1996"|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher=Smashing Pumpkins] 17 year-old fan, Bernadette O'Brien was crushed to death by heart attack. The band were in mid-set when moshers surged toward the stage and began trampling one another, despite the presence of 110 security guards. Singer Billy Corgan warned the crowd that people were getting hurt, while at one point, bassist D'arcy Wretzky announced: "There's a girl dying backstage, do you care?" As the show descended into chaos it was eventually abandoned in an effort to prevent more deaths. A show in Belfast the following night was cancelled out of respect. Gardaí were said to be investigating why the bars in the Point remained open for the teen-packed show. [cite web | year=1996 | title= Fan Crushed at Smashing Pumpkin's Show | publisher =MTV.com | url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1434230/19960517/smashing_pumpkins.jhtml | accessdate=2006-06-23]

The 1999 MTV Europe Music Awards were held in the Point Depot on November 11. [cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1999_Oct_4/ai_55990383|title="MTV Unveils the Nominations for the 1999 MTV Europe Music Awards"|date=1999-10-04|accessdate=2008-09-21|publisher=BNET] Hosted by Ronan Keating, there were performances [cite web|url=http://tv.yahoo.com/the-1999-mtv-europe-music-awards/show/917/castcrew|title="The 1999 MTV Europe Music Awards: Show Description, Cast & Crew"|accessdate=2008-09-21|publisher=Yahoo! TV] from Mariah Carey, The Corrs, Whitney Houston, Iggy Pop, Marilyn Manson and Britney Spears [cite web|url=http://www.gobritney.com/album198/index.html|title="Go Britney Spears Pics >Britney Spears Award Shows > 1999 > Europe Music Awards 1999"|accessdate=2008-09-21|publisher=GoBritney.com] on the night. [cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0369676/fullcredits#cast|title="Full cast and crew for MTV Europe Music Awards 1999"|accessdate=2008-09-21|publisher=IMDb] Award presenters [cite web|url=http://www.hollywood.com/tv/The_1999_MTV_Europe_Music_Awards/5169156|title="The 1999 MTV Europe Music Awards (1999)"|accessdate=2008-09-21|publisher=Hollywood.com] included Alicia Silverstone, Mick Jagger, Pierce Brosnan, Carmen Electra, LL Cool J, Mary J Blige, Iggy Pop, Fun Lovin' Criminals, Des'ree, Five, Christina Aguilera, Damon Albarn, Geri Halliwell [cite web|url=http://shop.rexfeatures.com/pictures_507270/MTV-EUROPE-MUSIC-AWARDS-CEREMONY-IN-DUBLIN-EIRE-1999.html|title="MTV EUROPE MUSIC AWARDS CEREMONY IN DUBLIN, EIRE - 1999"|accessdate=2008-09-21|publisher=REX] and Gary Barlow. The largest winner was Britney Spears who won four awards (Best Female, Best Pop, Best Breakthrough Artist, and Best Song for "...Baby One More Time"). Boyzone won two awards (Best UK & Ireland Act and Best Album for "By Request"). [cite web|url=http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4610503-1.html|title="Spears Tops 1999 Mtv Europe Music Awards"|date=1999-11-12|accessdate=2008-09-21|publisher=All Business]

Blink-182 played their last concert ever on December 16 2004 at the Point, prior to their split in 2005. [cite web|url=http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_10517624?source=rss|title="4 killed in plane crash; Ex-Blink 182 drummer and DJ AM critically injured"|date=2008-09-20|accessdate=2008-09-21|publisher=Inside Bay Area] The Point show became their last ever when they pulled out of a benefit concert for victims of the 2004 Asian tsunami. [cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1497320/20050222/blink_182.jhtml|title="Blink-182 Announce 'Indefinite Hiatus' As Breakup Rumors Swirl"|date=2005-02-22|accessdate=2008-09-21|publisher=MTV]

On August 23 2006, Pearl Jam opened their first European tour in six years at the Point. They were originally to play the Reading and Leeds Festivals first before playing Slane Concert; however Pearl Jam felt the Point was the perfect place to begin their tour. The concert gained wide radio play in the UK and Ireland. [cite web|url=http://www.chimpomatic.com/reviews/?id=224|title="PEARL JAM - THE POINT, DUBLIN - AUGUST 23RD 2006"|accessdate=2008-09-21|publisher=Chimpomatic]

The final event to take place before closure and rebranding was a boxing card featuring local boxer, Bernard Dunne on August 25 2007. Promoter Brian Peters had moved his European title defense against Kiko Martinez from Dublin's boxing-specific National Stadium across the Liffey to the Point Depot where Dunne shattered former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis's previous attendance record for the venue. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=3482003|title="Time to prioritize: How much does Dunne want it?"|date=2008-07-11|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher=ESPN] [cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/boxing-martinez-cashes-in-with-rapid-win-463108.html|title="Boxing: Martinez cashes in with rapid win"|date=2007-08-27|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher="The Independent"]

Notable concerts and events

50 Cent's 2003 performance at the Point is briefly shown on the special features of 50 Cent's own film, "Get Rich or Die Tryin'".

In 2004, punk rock band The Offspring played the Point to a sell-out audience.

Also in 2004, iconic popstar Britney Spears performed to a sell-out crowd at what would be her last performance for three years. Fact|date=September 2008 Her concert entourage for the Onyx Hotel Tour was the biggest ever hosted at the Point and her second performance in Ireland, after the 1999 MTV Europe Music Awards.

Velvet Revolver, the band comprising ex-Guns N' Roses and Stone Temple Pilots members, played there although there were many sound problems during their set.

Oasis have played several concerts in the Point, most recently in December 2005, where they referred to Dublin as "the second greatest city in the world". Footage from one of the 2005 gigs was included in Oasis's 2007 rockumentary, "Lord Don't Slow Me Down".

Kylie Minogue made returned to the Point (after a 14-year absence) in May 2005 with her . She played six nights at the Dublin venue, just weeks before she was told she had breast cancer.

Celtic Woman performed their debut concert in Ireland at the Point Theatre in February 2006, following a lengthy and enormously successful North American tour. While their first performance in Ireland was technically at The Helix in Dublin (which was filmed for PBS), the Point performance marked the group's first unveiling of the theatrical show that had taken America by storm.

Tool made their second ever Irish appearance there in 2006 during their 10,000 Days tour with support from Mastodon.

Iron Maiden brought their Matter of Life and Death tour to the Point with Trivium and Lauren Harris in 2006.

Beyoncé Knowles recently played two dates in the Point, which closed the first leg of the Beyoncé Experience Tour. During both concerts, Knowles commented on how she loved coming to Ireland for the Irish shows, telling the audience how she "bragged" on them to her band/crew. At the end of the second Irish show Knowles cried, giving an emotional conclusion to the first leg of her tour.

Several other acts played the Point during the summer of 2007, including Keane, George Michael, and Norah Jones.

Tiësto performed in 2007 as part of his Elements of Life World Tour.

In 2007, the Irish boy band, Westlife played 12 times in the Point; they played a total of nearly 60 shows at the venue between 2001 and 2007.

Live recordings

The Theatre has been the venue for numerous live recordings subsequently released as live albums. David Gray's live performance video, ', released on March 19 2001, was recorded at a sell-out show at the Point at the end of an Irish tour in December 1999. [cite web|url=http://www.warnermusic.com.au/product,w_prod,8573859982AU|title="DAVID GRAY LIVE AT THE POINT, DUBLIN"|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher=Warner Music Australasia] David Bowie filmed his "A Reality Tour" DVD in the Point during two sell-out shows there in November 22-24, 2003. [cite web|url=http://www.cluas.com/music/gigs/david_bowie.htm|title="David Bowie - The Reality Tour"|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher=CLUAS] R.E.M. filmed and recorded their live double CD/DVD set, "R.E.M. Live" in the Point in February 26-27, 2005. [cite web|url=http://catalog.ebay.co.uk/R-E-M-Live-Point-Depot-Dublin-26-27-Feb-2005-DVD-Digipak-CD-2007_W0QQ_fclsZ1QQ_pidZ62133498QQ_tabZ3|title="R.E.M. - Live (Point Depot, Dublin 26-27 Feb 2005/+DVD) [Digipak] (CD 2007)"|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher=eBay] Bruce Springsteen recorded his 2007 album, ' at the Point from November 17-19, 2006. [cite web|url=http://www.buzzflash.com/store/reviews/644|title="Bruce Springsteen: Live in Dublin (Just Released 2-CDs)"|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher=BuzzFlash] Bell X1's live album "Tour De Flock" was recorded at their sell-out December 1 2006 performance at the Point. [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2007/0620/bellx1tourdeflock.html|title="Bell X1 - Tour de Flock: Live at the Point"|accessdate=2008-09-20|publisher=RTÉ]

Sports events

Boxing

The Point has hosted many boxing fights featuring local fighter Bernard Dunne most notabally his fight for the EBU Super-Bantamweight title against Kiko Martinez.

Wrestling

The Point has hosted a number of WWE Smackdown & Raw live events.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.theo2.ie/ Official site]
* [http://www.riverdance.ie/htm/multimedia/video_clips/index.htm Official clips of Riverdance in 1994]
* [http://www.smashingpumpkins.com/audio_upload/audio/1996-05-22_dublin_ireland/files/17%204th%20&%20Final%20Warning%20%5BConcert%20Abandoned%5D.mp3 Official Smashing Pumpkins audio of deadly 1996 show - includes warnings and word of abandonment]
* 1999 MTV Europe Music Awards : [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1999_Oct_4/ai_55990383 Nominations] [http://shop.rexfeatures.com/pictures_507270/MTV-EUROPE-MUSIC-AWARDS-CEREMONY-IN-DUBLIN-EIRE-1999.html Photos] [http://tv.yahoo.com/the-1999-mtv-europe-music-awards/show/917/castcrew Presenters and performers] [http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4610503-1.html Winners]

###@@@KEY@@@###succession box
title=Eurovision venues
before="Green Glens Arena" "Millstreet"
after="Oslo Spektrum" "Oslo"
years=1994, 1995succession box
title=Eurovision venue
before="Oslo Spektrum" "Oslo"
after="National Indoor Arena" "Birmingham"
years=1997succession box
title= Point Theatre
before= Train depot
after= The O₂
years=