First time I saw The Rain Band was on the stage in City Square and downloaded the EP soon after, I have seen a couple of bands who have played City square at venues around the country - The Struts played city square twice a couple of years ago are now the main support act for the Foo Fighters in America and Dave Groul has gone on record saying there the best support act they've had.
Went to see the Saw Doctors when they released the All The Way From Tuam LP back in 1992, great gig.
Now I prefer to go an see and listen to local up and coming bands or artists from the USA as they play small venues rather than going to the arena or stadiums
UK- Slow Readers Club, The Blinders, Alias Kid,
USA Brian Fallon, Dave Hause, Jason Isbel, JD MCphearson, Matthew Ryan, Vintage Trouble