CLARE ballad lovers kicked off their Valentine’s weekend as Kildare-based ballad singer Dan McCabe took to the stage at glór for his first concert at the Ennis venue.
McCabe celebrated both beloved Irish tunes such as ‘Grace,’ ‘Bees Wing’ and ‘Black Velvet Band’ and modern music from artists like The Cranberries and Snow Patrol. The night was an intimate and personal experience, one where McCabe’s passion for music, his humble nature, and his connection with his audience were front and centre.
Since first becoming an internet sensation in 2020, McCabe has quickly captivated audiences nationwide with his distinctive blend of traditional Irish ballads and contemporary folk. On this special evening in Ennis, it was his genuine connection with the audience that made the night truly unforgettable.
Dressed simply in a white shirt and brogues, he opened the concert with a wooden stool, a single spotlight, and an acoustic guitar, honouring the legacy of Irish folk with a cover of Luke Kelly’s timeless ballad ‘Come My Little Son.’ Accompanied by a three-piece band consisting of an electric guitar, a piano, and one musician playing the uilleann pipes, tin whistle, flute, and the bodhrán, Dan’s music seamlessly blends the traditional Irish folk music with which he was raised and modern music trends.
His storytelling between each tune and ability to play off the reactions of the crowd created a casual but intimate display, reminiscent of the traditional sessions Dan would attend in Fletchers Bar back in his home town of Naas in Kildare.
Speaking to The Clare Echo ahead of his concert, McCabe explained that although he enjoys blending his own modern style with these traditional songs, it’s very important to him to remain respectful to the musicians that came before him.
“Folk singing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My Dad, my grandad, and my great-grandad were all folk singers, so it’s in my blood. It always has been and I like to respect that as much as I can”.
McCabe’s career trajectory has been remarkable, with his rise to fame in 2020 when he began posting covers on YouTube. Since then, his career has taken off, with over 50 viral videos, appearances on national television, and performances at some of Ireland’s most prestigious venues.
“None of this was planned,” he said. “Anything cool that happened to me all just happened. I want to continue in the same vein and just see what happens. I’m just grateful for every day that I am able to play and sing and get up in front of an audience. The cooler things that happened are just a bonus, so you just take them as they come”.
He added, “I’m just lucky that I’ve gotten to where I am. There are musicians out there that are much more talented than I am, but I’ve been fortunate to get this far,” he continued. “If it wasn’t for COVID, I wouldn’t have started playing music in my bedroom, and I wouldn’t have been noticed”.
McCabe marked the occasion of his debut performance at glór by singing ‘My Heart’s Tonight in Ireland.’ He explained that he fell in love with the song during a trip to the Willie Clancy Festival in Miltown Malbay and had been waiting to perform it live in front of an audience.
