Over twenty years since he last played in Ireland, Eagle-Eye Cherry was back on the #StreetsofDublin on Wednesday night (29th May2019), for an intimate date at the city's famed Whelan’s venue. Touring 2018’s ‘Streets of You’, the singer was in fine form as he wowed the packed venue.
Photo: Stephen Brophy, Tears Of Fire Photography.
By Eamon O'Neill.
Over twenty years since he last played in Ireland, Eagle-Eye Cherry was back on the #StreetsofDublin on Wednesday night (29th May 2019), for an intimate date at the city's famed Whelan’s venue. Touring 2018’s ‘Streets of You’, the singer was in fine form as he wowed the packed venue.
Proving that there is more to him that that defining four-chord earworm of the mid 1990s, Cherry and band brought the pop, funk, soul, blues, psychedelia and more to a highly entertaining set packed with tracks from across his five-album catalogue.
From the opening building groove of ‘Been Here Once Before’, it was clear that Eagle-Eye was in fantastic form. Strolling onto the stage wide eyed and smiling from ear to ear, the singer captivated the Whelan’s crowd from the off.
Donning a Martin acoustic for the soulful shuffle of ‘She Didn’t Believe’, Cherry greeted the crowd saying; “Good evening Dublin. This is feels good, this is a good vibe”, adding; “We’re just going to keep on grooving and ignore all the shit outside; it's all about what's happening here”.
Acknowledging his long absence, the singer said; “I haven’t been in Dublin in a long, long time”, before raising the excitement with the first track of the evening from smash hit debut ‘Desireless’ in a singalong ‘Falling In Love Again’.
Mixing up a healthy smattering of catalogue tracks along with the hits and newies from ‘Streets of You’, both singer and band shone as the set weaved from pop anthems to lamenting ballads to extended jams.
Giving his talented band the chance to show off their deft musicianship, the delta seduction of ‘Together’ morphed into a free-form jam, culminating in a nod to The Beatles’ ‘Come Together’.
Paying further tribute to another musical luminary, the Swedish-born, New York-schooled performer looked back to his days on America’s east coast, with an uplifting version of Bruce Springsteen’s epic love story ‘Atlantic City’.
However there was one song that was always going to dominate the evening. Coming after a rousing ‘Are You Still Having Fun’, and the encoring deep south slide guitar blues of ‘Lonely Days (Miles Away)’, the opening bars of “the one you’ve been waiting for” ‘Save Tonight’ appropriately raised the roof on the Dublin watering hole.
With the crowd drowning out the band singing along to every word, it was a fitting way to end what had been a very special night. Taking his bows and acknowledging the uniqueness of the event, the singer signed off saying; “It's not too often we get to play this intimate [of] a show. It’s been a lot of fun”.
Eagle-Eye Cherry's 'Streets of You' tour continues across Europe with dates in France in July. For a full list of dates, visit eagleeyecherry.com.
Like this story? Like us on FaceBook and follow us on Twitter for regular updates & more of the same.
Check out our gallery from the show below. All photos by Stephen Brophy, Tears Of Fire Photography.
Over twenty years since he last played in Ireland, Eagle-Eye Cherry was back on the #StreetsofDublin on Wednesday night (29th May 2019), for an intimate date at the city's famed Whelan’s venue. Touring 2018’s ‘Streets of You’, the singer was in fine form as he wowed the packed venue.
Proving that there is more to him that that defining four-chord earworm of the mid 1990s, Cherry and band brought the pop, funk, soul, blues, psychedelia and more to a highly entertaining set packed with tracks from across his five-album catalogue.
From the opening building groove of ‘Been Here Once Before’, it was clear that Eagle-Eye was in fantastic form. Strolling onto the stage wide eyed and smiling from ear to ear, the singer captivated the Whelan’s crowd from the off.
Donning a Martin acoustic for the soulful shuffle of ‘She Didn’t Believe’, Cherry greeted the crowd saying; “Good evening Dublin. This is feels good, this is a good vibe”, adding; “We’re just going to keep on grooving and ignore all the shit outside; it's all about what's happening here”.
Acknowledging his long absence, the singer said; “I haven’t been in Dublin in a long, long time”, before raising the excitement with the first track of the evening from smash hit debut ‘Desireless’ in a singalong ‘Falling In Love Again’.
Mixing up a healthy smattering of catalogue tracks along with the hits and newies from ‘Streets of You’, both singer and band shone as the set weaved from pop anthems to lamenting ballads to extended jams.
Giving his talented band the chance to show off their deft musicianship, the delta seduction of ‘Together’ morphed into a free-form jam, culminating in a nod to The Beatles’ ‘Come Together’.
Paying further tribute to another musical luminary, the Swedish-born, New York-schooled performer looked back to his days on America’s east coast, with an uplifting version of Bruce Springsteen’s epic love story ‘Atlantic City’.
However there was one song that was always going to dominate the evening. Coming after a rousing ‘Are You Still Having Fun’, and the encoring deep south slide guitar blues of ‘Lonely Days (Miles Away)’, the opening bars of “the one you’ve been waiting for” ‘Save Tonight’ appropriately raised the roof on the Dublin watering hole.
With the crowd drowning out the band singing along to every word, it was a fitting way to end what had been a very special night. Taking his bows and acknowledging the uniqueness of the event, the singer signed off saying; “It's not too often we get to play this intimate [of] a show. It’s been a lot of fun”.
Eagle-Eye Cherry's 'Streets of You' tour continues across Europe with dates in France in July. For a full list of dates, visit eagleeyecherry.com.
Like this story? Like us on FaceBook and follow us on Twitter for regular updates & more of the same.
Check out our gallery from the show below. All photos by Stephen Brophy, Tears Of Fire Photography.
