Last night saw the return of much loved Irish singer songwriter Ryan Sheridan to the Róisín Dubh in Galway. Following the success of his debut album ‘The Day You Live Forever’, eager fans packed into the Róisín for what was to be one hell of a performance by Ryan and his musical partner, Polish percussionist Artur Graczyk.
It’s Ryan and Artur’s unique mix of lively acoustic guitar riffs, intense drum beats and powerful vocals, that led them to be discovered by their now manager, while busking on the streets of Dublin. The success of his single Jigsaw on Irish airways, propelled the duo into the forefront of the Irish music scene, a long way away from his humble beginnings.
Artur kicked off the gig, by getting the crowd going with his electrifying beats on his box, before Sheridan burst onto the stage playing the guitar and his latest hit The Dreamer. Already pumped and loving it, the crowd flocked to the front of the stage. “ I used to busk here, near Brown Thomas”, Ryan joked.
His warm stage persona was apparent from the get go, interacting and engaging with the audience in between every song. He had tweeted earlier in the day that he had hidden two tickets to the sold out gig underneath the Oscar Wilde statue on Shop Street for some lucky fan to find. Only furthering his ascension to stardom in the eyes of his allegiance of fans.
The only lull in Sheridan’s performance was his slower songs. Sheridan’s strength lies in the energy he brings to his music and his ability to lift an audience, meaning the slower songs weren’t met with as much enthusiasm as his more well known songs, like Jigsaw or Stand Up. This didn’t faze him, as he went on to perform his new charity Christmas single, Walking in the Air. Sheridan puts his own twist on the Christmas classic, and it’s certainly worth a listen, as well as being for a good cause. (All proceeds from the EP go to the Make a Wish Foundation).
The singer’s energy carried through his entire performance, leaving the audience in a delighted haze of sweaty excitement. Sheridan saved his best performance for last and delivered an epic version of the Mumford and Sons hit Lion Man. With performances like this, there’s no doubt that Ryan Sheridan will remain a permanent fixture in the Irish music scene.
Niamh O’Riordan
Ryan’s EP “Walking in the Air” is available on iTunes.
