It was a magical night in The Pantry’s walled garden in Portlaoise last week, with the 2nd outing of If the walls had ears.
Curated by Broadcaster, Ann Marie Kelly, musicians, artists, and audience members were invited to speak and perform to the theme ‘Songs that saved your life.’
Waterboy Steve Wickham stole the show with tales of producing Sinead O Connor’s first album, and becoming a member of the Waterboys.
He performed ‘Fisherman’s Blues’ and a song he wrote with Sinead O Connor.
Co-founder of the Saw doctors John Turps also paid tribute to the late singer andspoke of his inability in ‘coming-out’ in the ‘90s at the height of the Saw Doctors fame.
Two Portlaoise College students Ben Campbell and Josh Boylan both performed a song and spoke of how songs helped them during tough and joyful times.
Ollie Cole performed a beautiful song about loss with the band One Morning in August.
A Laois born nurse Mags Duggan gave a beautiful performance the song ‘Summertime’ and musician Colm Quearney told a hilarious tail of a bad trip.
Drummer Graham Hopkins found it hard to pick just one song to much laughter from the audience and the evening ended on a poem from Carlow College Professor Dr. Derek Coyle.
The Pantry was lit with fairy lights and the rain stayed away much to the delight of the packed garden audience.
It is certainly as special space at the centre of Portlaioise and whets the appetite for this weekend’s Electric Picnic.
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