Cozy, Intimate, and Quietly Powerful: Lisa Hannigan at the Everyman Palace
@underthefeather (IG)
By Beth O’Halloran, Music Editor
If Ireland is a small country, then the music scene here must be even smaller. When listening to any band or musician, you might find you’re connected by no more than three degrees of separation. In a scene so small, it’s more akin to a community, where stories are shared and music created, echoing that of the folklore that is so embedded into our country’s history and culture. Dublin-born singer-songwriter Lisa Hannigan is one of Ireland’s finest musical talents. Beginning her career as a backing vocalist for Damien Rice, she has since made for herself an astounding career in music. Her debut album Sea Sew, released in 2009, was nominated for the Mercury Prize that same year, and widely regarded as one of the best Irish albums released that year, and has garnered her a cult following both at home and abroad. She marked her return to Cork on Saturday, 23 of November, to the Everyman Palace and, despite not releasing an album since 2016’s At Swim, the sold-out concert proved to be one not to miss. Support consisted of American singer-songwriter Willie Mason, accompanied by American duo The Alpha Gals, bringing a distinctive Americana sound reminiscent of Bob Dylan. They were chased closely by Belfast-based singer-songwriter Dani Larkin, who began her set by dedicating it to the people of Palestine. Her songs laced with a quiet fury are reminiscent of old rebel or protest songs, another facet of our national heritage weaved in seamlessly throughout the evening.
Hannigan began her set alone, the concert commenced with an acapella rendition of “Anahorish”, a quiet number but powerful enough to move mountains. Despite a shaky start, with a coughing fit only slightly cutting her song “Lille” short, her wit and overall charm easily won over the crowd, with trademark Irish humour and an air of never taking herself too seriously. She was gradually joined by violinist Lucy Wilkins, cellist Clarice Jensen, backing vocalists Karen Cowley and Jane Patterson, and pianist Theodora Byrne, who also arranged each piece as well as performing additional backing vocals. The gradual introduction of the ensemble, if anything, maximised their role on stage, as each addition brought more to each song played, leaving no one behind.
@underthefeather (IG)
The gig felt cozy and intimate, but also quietly powerful. In a location as historic as the Everyman, it’s only fitting that the Mercury Prize nominee pay tribute to her own career. Spanning eighteen years, songs from all three studio albums were played, as well as some unreleased originals from her time in residence at the Irish Arts Centre in New York earlier this year. But she wasn’t the only focus of her own concert. In a tribute to Eoin French, known professionally under the stage name Talos, who died in August of this year, Hannigan and her band performed a cover of his song “Crow” to honour his memory. But the emotionally-driven tributes did not stop there. Along with her backing vocalists, Hannigan performed an a cappella rendition of “I Am Stretched On Your Grave”, a poem made famous when put to music by Sinead O’Connor. This touching tribute left the crowd silent, stunned yet clinging onto every verse, as if the late singer-songwriter’s presence was being felt in the room. The crowd was also lucky enough to hear the live debut of her new Christmas song, Christmas FM, co-created with fellow Irish singer-songwriter Lux Alma.
Leaving the Everyman after the encore brought me a sort of peacefulness, a feeling I don’t always associate with live music. I usually leave gigs energised and ready to take on the world, and this one was no exception, except it came in a more serene, contemplative manner. I came away with an appreciation of how talented our little island really is, with our storytellers, musicians, poets, but also the community that they have created with each other. It’s also comforting to know the legacy of those lost is still carried forward and kept alive through art. Lisa Hannigan’s tour around Ireland is not just a testimony to herself, but also to those around her.
