‘PAIR’S SPIRITS WITH US’ CARNEGIE BAWL FOR IMELDA
Singer’s tears at Shane/Sinead tribute gig MALLON
IMELDA May has opened up about the “emotional” night honouring Sinead O’Connor and Shane MacGowan.
The Liberties star was one of the many singers who performed at Carnegie Hall in New York last week to honour the two music legends.
Opening up about the night, the mother-ofone said that she felt “Sinead and Shane’s spiritual presence with us.”
She told fans on social media: “It was very emotional to pay tribute to our dear friends Sinead and Shane in the historical Carnegie Hall with family and friends, with music, passion, joy, respect, sorrow and love.
“Vibrations swirled around the room like a whirlwind with such enormous, palpable energy.
“Although their physical presence was so greatly missed, I really felt Sinead and Shane’s spiritual presence with us.
Freedom
“We cried, laughed, sang, listened, felt, held and were held. All this for a good cause of freedom of expression for @penamerica seems fitting in these times as Sinead and Shane always spoke the truth as we must also.
“My heart is filled with gratitude that I knew such extraordinary, empathetic people that were also geniuses. And gratitude that I’m surrounded by such great, talented, kind friends that I deeply love.
“The audience were open and ready to give and receive. How lucky were we to share this wondrous night to remember.”
Imelda paid tribute to the artists who performed on the night, but said one of her favourite moment was watching Sinead’s daughter Roisin Waters “soar to the heavens” with her rendition of Nothing Compares 2 U.
She added: “I sang my favourites This Is to Mother
You and Haunted with Glen, but Sinead’s daughter
Roisin Waters soared to the heavens with
Nothing Compares to You, a moment
I’ll never forget.”
Imelda, who got emotional during her performance, said that everyone would rather be watching the late singers’ performance instead. “This evening is a little more s*** than it could be,” she joked on stage.
A total of 22 songs were played and over $70,000 was raised for Pen America, a nonprofit organisation based in New York that promotes free expression.
Magical
Shane’s widow Victoria Mary Clarke thanked everyone for their support, saying: “Carnegie Hall is magical and it was really beautiful.” Last Thursday night, renowned artist Will McNally presented MacGowan’s sister Siobhan with a special portrait of the late The Pogues singer, who died last November.