WORDS AND IMAGES RHYS GROVER
Ireland have been flying with incredible talent over recent years, and CMAT is no exception to this. She has a Kate Bush stage presence, an incredible voice and you just can’t help but get lost in her magic whilst she is on stage. Whether she’s out stood singing with her guitar, or throwing herself round the stage with her bandmates, it’s all equally stunning to watch.
Fellow Irishwoman, Niamh Regan took the support slot, and a healthy crowd had gathered early to watch her. She’s a solo artist, just her, a mic and an electric guitar. Her soft folk is a refreshing reminder that the genre isn’t dead, and with talent like this, it won’t be going anywhere soon. Stood in a spotlight with the back of the stage drowned in blue light, she was totally alone on the stage, but that didn’t matter. Her incredible voice drew your eyes to nothing else in the room than her. She was able to engage the crowd, and the crowd were more than up for hearing more.
It’s probably a safe bet to say that every ticket holder was in their place long before CMAT was due onto the stage, because her shows are not to be missed. A full length mirror took centre stage, with a stage light placed strategically above, as lamps dangled around it. It was always clear this was going to be the centre of her act, and as she charged through the set, she frequently returned to the mirror, dancing in front of it like she was alone.
Her band entered the stage as the walk on track played over the speakers, and stood with their instruments like soldiers standing guard. Their matching glittery outfits glistening as the lights shone past them, and then finally Ciara took her place and did the same, before quickly donning her stunning white Gretsch acoustic and charging into the first song. ‘California’ was welcomed with an incredible reception from the crowd, and the look on Ciara’s face showed how much this means. Although her popularity has sky rocketed over recent months (with appearances on Jools Holland and Graham Norton), she is still star struck by the response her music is getting. This is the beauty of live music. It’s in the moment, and it’s always special.
Between tracks, she took the opportunity to speak with the crowd, telling tales of the history of her songs, and her life. The crowd loved every moment and she was feeding off the incredible energy from her fans. For a musician who is labeled as folk/country on wikipedia, her demeanour on stage is more like a grunge artist. She’s throwing herself around the stage in a way you rarely see, and she’s clearly just living in that moment, forgetting anything other than the boundaries of the stage.
SETLIST
1- CALIFORNIA
2- I… HATE WHO I AM WHEN I’M HORNY
3- I DONT REALLY CARE FOR YOU
4- PETER BOGDANOVICH
5 – 2 WRECKED 2 CARE
6- WHATEVER’S INCONVENIENT
7 VINCENT KOMPANY
8- HAVE FUN!
9- PHONE ME
10- CAN’T MAKE UP MY MIND
11- SUCH A MIRANDA
12- NASHVILLE
13- WHERE ARE YOUR KIDS TONIGHT?
ENCORE
14- RENT
15- I WANNA BE A COWBOY, BABY!
16- STAY FOR SOMETHIN
FOLLOW CMAT
FOLLOW NIAMH REGAN
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
