Siohban O'Connor entered the MTV/dotmusic competition - and WON! Read about her experiences on the night as she was flown to Dublin for the MTV European Music Awards.
Everyone knows that no-one really ever wins competitions - they are all advertising hype -.until of course you actually win one and someone tells you they're going to fly you to Ireland to watch one of the biggest music events of the year - for free.
Once you pick yourself up off the floor and dust yourself down, the first thought to spring to mind (after 'This is a joke right?') is 'Omigosh WHAT am I going to wear!?'. Thankfully Vivienne Westwood comes to the rescue to fulfil the dress code of 'FUNKY (cool, hip)' and so now the only concern is making the train to the plane on time - which from experience is not as simple as it sounds!
From then on it's a case of sitting back and enjoying the experience. A well organised schedule has us collected from the airport in a 36-seat limo (well, coach) and drifted through a fantastically busy and buzzing Dublin. MTV fever has definitely struck this city in a big way. Even the old lady in the newsagent shop is excited to hear we're going to the awards although her prediction of an appearance by Madonna is sadly unfulfilled. The Stakis Hotel, our temporary residence for the evening is staffed by the friendliest, most welcoming staff in the entire universe save for all the other local barmen, shop owners, coach drivers and everyone else we met it's true, this has to be one of the most gregarious places in the world (not to mention the Guinness you have to taste it to believe it).
So to the main event - well, what a set up. Several thousand people whipping themselves into a frenzy with the anticipation of witnessing live some of the biggest names in music. The Point is a truly spectacular venue and the staging and effects crews had done themselves proud by creating a set that more than did justice to the stars who were to appear on the stage and the podium that night.
Our first sighting was local lad Pierce Brosnan - the scene was set, this was a glamorous event and the Irish were going to take the limelight in all areas! Ronan Keating was a spirited and humorous host who kept the event running smoothly and maintained the sense of excitement throughout...least of all by being a winner of two of the award categories with Boyzone!
Performance highlights include a fired up Iggy Pop getting the whole ball rolling, The Corrs melting everyone's hearts with their wistful melodies, Puff Daddy kicking it with God, The Offspring rocking the house, a vibrant Whitney Houston doing her thing and of course, Britney Spears, the artist of the night, showing us why she was the peoples choice of the night. Special mention goes to Marilyn Manson for the final, quite unique, performance of the night. If anyone has a spare set of drums out there they might wish to donate to a good cause, Mr Manson seems in need of a new set!
If the awards impressed the party afterwards was no let down. A massive marquee, decked out in full club regalia with dance cages, dance floors, video screens and a giant projector screen had the crowds jumping fuelled by a never ending supply of trays of hot food, ice cream and free drinks. Life just doesn't get much better than this!
The morning arrived all too quickly and with it the reality of the airport and a return journey but when you share a bus with Geri Halliwell and sit next to the Honeyz on the plane, you can't grumble.
Thank you MTV, dotmusic - and thank you Dublin for an unforgettable experience. Oh, and Dublin, I'll be seeing you again as soon as possible (ohh, the Guinness, the Guinness)!
