Saturday 22th February 2025
Location: Cleeres Bar and Theatre, 28 Parliament Street, Kilkenny
Brian Kennedy is one of Ireland’s most inspired and revered ambassadors of music. He is not only a prolific songwriter but a master interpreter of lyrics as well, and audiences around the world continue to praise his exceptional vocal talents. Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, the multi-platinum recording artist remains one of Ireland’s most popular singing stars.
With “a voice to charm the angels,” Brian survived a childhood on the infamous Falls Road, West Belfast, at the height of its hellish history against all the odds to carve an extraordinary career in music. “It’s a miracle that I survived my childhood and became a singer really, given where and how my life started, but somehow my voice had other plans and saved me in the end.” That voice set him on a course that changed his life forever.
From harmonizing with ambulance sirens as a child to finally overcoming stage fright, his gradual ascent was nothing short of incredible. He busked on the dangerous streets of his hometown whatever the political climate until a sudden escape to London at 18 where he survived the only way he knew how. He sang unaccompanied in the underground stations and outside the Dominion Theatre, sometimes literally in order to eat and until he finally saved up enough money for a guitar. Soon thereafter, Brian was discovered by British entrepreneur/manager Simon Fuller.
Brian is first and foremost a live performer and songwriter declaring “music is my lifeblood.” His constant touring from Ireland and the UK to Australia, Europe, Asia and the USA, including the major global festivals, has resulted in an ever-growing international fan base, over a phenomenal three-decade career.
Spotted by Belfast legend Van Morrison, Brian was invited to a rehearsal one day which resulted in Morrison recruiting him to join his now unforgettable “Blues & Soul Revue” tour as guest lead singer. Thanks to Van’s ongoing mentoring and generosity, Brian found himself sharing vocal duties on stages across the globe over a six-year period with Morrison and a breathtaking array of some of the greatest artists in history: Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles and John Lee Hooker to name a few. Performing at Madison Square Garden in New York was a far cry from the Falls Road. His unique voice can be heard harmonizing and answering Van on five of his major hit albums including “A Night In San Francisco” and “Days Like This.”
Throughout the relentless touring with Van Morrison, Brian somehow managed to maintain a stream of chart-making albums. “A Better Man” (1996) and “Now That I Know What I Want” (1999), both went platinum at No.1 and earned him the awards of Irish Best Male Artist and Irish Best Male Album, as did the highly acclaimed “Homebird” (2006) and cover album “Interpretations” (2008).
Brian has done impromptu performances with Stevie Wonder at Ronnie Scotts in London and, incredibly and proudly, he is one of only a few to have also sung with the late legendary Jeff Buckley at Si
Organisers Website