A very different celebration was going on across town at Pravda, the bar which managed to get the recalcitrant Irish to queue for entrance. It was the launch of Dubliner Sheila Babikian's debut release from Planet 3 records, I Found Love, which features Don Baker on harmonica.
Sheila has been beavering away in the business for some time, collaborating with various musicians, including former Van Morrison band members.
The single was launched by Bianca Luykx from 2TV. Among the 200 guests, many of whom decamped to Renards afterwards, were Kevin Fennell of Warners, Paul Power of Today FM, Dave Fanning, B.P. Fallon, Darren Smith of EMI, and Niall Strange of Hot Press.