MEMORABLY DESCRIBED by MOJO magazine as "the Marge Simpson of soul", Macy Gray's distinctively gravelly, soulful tones, will be heard at the Heineken Big Top as part of the Galway International Arts Festival.
The Grammy Award and two-time BRIT Award-winning soul and r'n'b singer headlines the concert in the Fisheries Field this Sunday [July 21] at 7pm. She is best known for her hit single 'I Try', a No 1 in Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, and a Top 5 hit in the US and Britain in 1999. It also earned her a Grammy in 2001 Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
She is not just about the past though. Last September saw the release of Ruby, her 10th studio album. “I hope audiences can feel connected to the record and I hope I can make them smile and make them reflect," she said about Ruby. "I love when fans reach out with stories of how I've inspired, influenced them, or helped them get through a moment in their life...I'm still looking at how I can contribute more artistically and as a human. This is one way.”
Support is from the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, of whom former US president Barack Obama said: "I cannot get enough of these guys, they soothe the soul.” The HBE is made up of eight brothers, the sons of Sun Ra trumpeter and songwriter Phil Cohran. They have been playing together since they were children. “At night we used to sneak under the covers and listen to NWA and Public Enemy. Ice Cube and Eazy-E were our heroes," said the band, who fuse hip hop with funk and jazz.
This is a 'Galway International Arts Festival and Róisín Dubh presents...' event. Tickets are €35 via www.giaf.ie or from the festival box office, The Cornstore, Middle Street (091 - 566577 ).
