Imelda May
Roundhouse, Camden
London
17 March 2014
★★★★ (out of five)
IMELDA May has gone from strength to strength in the past five years.
Having won a Meteor Award, appeared on top chat shows and at festivals worldwide, hosted her own television and radio shows and performed for President Obama, what else could be left for her to achieve?
Well she thinks there's plenty left if you're to judge by the sheer energy she exudes tonight, on stage, for this celebratory St Patrick's Day show in the Roundhouse.
Support act Mundy warmed the crowd up nicely with favourites such as July and Galway Girl, his backing band for the evening, Cronin, the new project of Johnny and Michael Cronin from The Aftermath, brothers who divide their time between Leeds and Mullingar.
When May does appear on-stage 30-minutes after Mundy's set it is to howls of delight. Around her is an impressive graffiti-stained alley set, complete with street lights and a neon shamrock. From the off, she delights with a balance of new songs and old favourites.
Her live presence shone as always, from softer, jazzy songs Little Pixie and Gypsy in Me to full on rocking tunes like Round the Bend and Wild Woman.
Halfway through the set, she introduces her surprise guest – John Sheahan from The Dubliners. They perform Imelda’s Kentish Town Waltz and The Dubliners’ Marino Waltz.
Bassist Al Gare puts down his stand-up bass (literally – he and Imelda sat on it!) to play ukulele in the encore, joined again by Sheahan for a traditional Irish jig, which had the crowd enthusiastically clapping along, before Mundy returns for a memorable duet on The Rare Ould Times.
The spectacular concert proved that the new album is one to really look forward to. Unfortunately, the atmosphere of Imelda’s concerts can’t be put on CD, so be sure to catch her live, too!
Tribal is released on June 2. The first single, It’s Good to be Alive, is available on iTunes.
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