Imelda gigs from home with a little help from a friend
Singer’s lively online sessions are a big hit with music fans
SINGER Imelda May has joined the trend of international artists entertaining people online from their homes as the world at large has gone into self-isolation.
She has also been posting pictures of herself with Niall McNamee who has been dueting with her to keep spirits up and music alive.
Imelda – who made her name as a Rockabilly singer – from Dublin’s Liberties, has turned her sitting room into her stage and has belted out her songs to a delighted audience.
Entertainer Niall, a budding musician and actor, has been joining Imelda in her inhouse coronavirus concerts.
The pair joined forces previously for a St Patrick’s Day performance and raised money for the London Irish Centre.
Imelda wrote: ‘Thanks so much for joining @niallmcnamee and I for St Patrick’s night. (Just recovered) I wanted it to be “real” and it certainly was that.
‘My first live post and I had too many “refreshments”, talked too much s***e, giggled, repeated bad jokes, lost a beater under the table and possibly fell asleep for a second. Luckily Niall is a pro and held it together as we laughed and sang all the songs that warmed our heavy hearts on a cold strange night. I’m so glad we all connected. Thanks for your lovely messages. The London Irish Centre are delighted with your support and donations.’
Leicester-born Niall has been a recurring presence in Imelda’s world of late, as they have been popping up together at several events and also enjoying drinks in bars in Dublin and the UK.
In January they joined friends in Slatt’s pub for drinks and Niall also joined Imelda for her Halloween party at her home with friends.
And in January, the pair were pictured backstage at the opening night in London of the Chasing Bono musical, where they were in the company of the likes of Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood.
In December Imelda commented on a picture Niall had shared of him enjoying some Christmas drinks with his grandfather and brother saying: ‘Love this photo. Now we know who started the handsome man trend in the family. XXX’
While Niall is a talented musician, he is also an aspiring actor and has appeared in the 2017 Pierce Brosnan/Jackie Chan action feature
The Foreigner. He has also been cast in the upcoming Marie Jones/ Martin Lynch production of The Miami Showband Story – a musical focusing of the bloody massacre of the band in 1975.
The pair teamed up again on Friday
for another surprise session, this time to honour veteran singer Vera Lynn.
‘Vera Lynn: We’ll Meet Again. Perhaps we all hear this song with a little more understanding now,’ Imelda said. ‘You’ve been through much worse and yet still sang beautifully of hope and lived to tell the tale. Keep well. From @niallmcnamee and I isolating on a spring day.’
Imelda’s agent said we can expect more music in the weeks to come.
‘Imelda really enjoyed her first “stream” and is definitely intending to do more of them, potentially with Niall, to help connect with people through these strange times,’ they said.