Day: February 9, 2015

18th February – Kieran Halpin

Kieran Halpin

Kieran Halpin is the special guest at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 18th February and that puts it in the ‘unmissable’ category. The man with the passionate, gravelly voice is back.

A career that started in 1974, with 20 albums to his name, thousands of gigs played at venues all over the world, a prolific songwriter of great quality are the key musical facts about Mr Halpin. What the facts don’t tell you is his continuing search for new approaches to present his songs nor does it describe the powerful nature of a live Kieran Halpin performance. This unassuming man has an easy stage presence and a wry sense of humour and he connects with his audience so very well.

Kieran plays acoustic guitar, regales the audience with explanations of where each song comes from and links it all together with some very funny asides. He is a man of very, dry wit. His thought-provoking lyrics and memorable melodies can make you think, laugh or cry. Numbers like ‘Nothing to show for it all’, ‘Berlin Calling’, Closing time in Paradise’ are some of his songs that come to mind.

Kieran Halpin has played on a number of occasions at the Irvine Club. He is always invited back because he is such a unique writer and performer. Kieran is also one of the hardest working artists with upwards of 160 gigs each year with all the travelling that entails and still he finds time to write songs. His 21st album will be launched on St Valentine’s Day at the Davy Lamp in Washington and then he takes off for Germany for a long tour.

It would be a mistake to miss Kieran Halpin at Irvine Folk Club on Wednesday 18th February. The Club meets in Vineburgh Community Centre in Quarry Road, starts at 8pm and it’s BYOB.

Finally, David Todd of Greenwood Academy won the North Ayrshire Traditional Musician of the Year award last week. The award which is competed for annually, was donated by Irvine Folk Club. David plays the Bagpipes. It was an excellent evening, hosted by Irvine Folk Club and organised by North Ayrshire Council’s Music Service. Congratulations David. It is worth adding that Irvine Burns club put up a Quaich in the name of the late Joe Caldwell for competition at the Young Trad event. As many will recall, Joe was ‘mine host’ at The Eg where Irvine Folk Club started.