Kieran Quinn on amazing sell-out show in Vicar Street
A risk that paid off is how critically acclaimed pianist and composer Kieran Quinn has described last week’s sell out Vicar Street show.
Selling out the 1,000 capacity venue, Kieran was joined onstage by 75 Sligo singers and musicians including Sandy Kelly and Cathy Jordan, and young talent Emily Meade.
“It was a big step for us going to a big Dublin venue for the first time and it carried a certain amount of risk with it but I felt in my gut we were ready to take that step, both musically and in terms of attracting an audience, and thankfully I was proved right. “
Speaking to The Sligo Champion following ‘ The Story So Far’ theme night, Quinn admits that he has been blown away by its success.
“It was hugely encouraging that people not from Sligo still get the nights and enjoy them.”
Discussing the build up to the show, Kieran explained that a lot of work behind the scenes went into making the show a reality.
“The date was secured a year ago and nine months ago I put together a committee and we’ve been meeting most weeks since then.”
With the Dublin show being the twenty second theme night, audiences were treated to highlights from past shows, and, with over 200 musicians to choose from, Kieran was spoiled for choice in whittling down acts to 75.
“I had all the set lists from previous nights and we would have discussed them, some were hotly contested,” he explained.
Singling out a stand out moment from the night, Kieran said the standing ovation for Emily Meade’s performance of Imelda May’s ‘Black Tears’ was special.
“Emily’s performance was halfway through the first slot and she got a standing ovation which is unheard of at that point in a show for an 18 year old to go up in Vicar Street and win the crowd over like that was an amazing moment.”
The musician described the show as a ‘proud night for Sligo’’ and a proud night for Sligo people who travelled up to the show.
“It’s been amazing, it’s brought it to another level, the fact that we’ve brought it outside Sligo to an away venue and a lot of first time people were there and they got the concept.”
Kieran admits that the night’s success is ‘very satisfying’ and attributes the theme nights’ success to two reasons.
“The music, it wouldn’t work without top quality musicians, both in the band and performinh the songs, and we have an abundance of them in Sligo.”
He adds, “Behind it all and what the audience can buy into is the community aspect of it, that you hvae professional musicians up there and in the middle you have amateur musicians.
Building on that success, three more theme nights have been announced and have unsurprisingly nearly sold out already.
Kieran Quinn Theme Night23 will celebrate the music of Bruce Springsteen, specifically his Seeger Sessions and Live in Dublin albums. It takes place at the Hawk’s Well on May 2md to 4 th.