It was a celebration of a stellar first year for the Set Theatre and the entertainment on show for the night was a perfect snapshot of what the stunning venue has brought to Kilkenny over the last 12 months.
Despite its youthful age, Set has already established itself as an award-winning music venue and an artists’ favourite, and the proof was in the pudding last Thursday night.
It is rare enough to catch the calibre of last week’s musical ensemble on any stage together but to see them in Kilkenny first and foremost, and secondly in such an informal setting, was a genuine treat.
Names like Lisa Hannigan, Jerry Fish, Julie Feeney, James Vincent McMorrow and Mick Flannery let loose in the congenial atmosphere of the night, delivering the kind of exhibition you might propagate in your living room were you lucky enough to call them all friends.
Billed as a celebration for the theatre’s many patrons who had supported it during its first year, it was a motley crew who descended on the John Street venue, eager to catch another view of some of their favourite artists, many of whom had made an appearance there at some stage during the year.
It seems almost futile to finger any particular performance as a highlight on a night which was more about the collective than the individual.
The night’s performances commenced with Lisa Hannigan and former side-kick Gavin Glass joined by Our Little Secrets frontman Rhob Cunningham for a delicate version of Bon Iver’s ‘Skinny Love’.
It ended in a balloon-filled finale which was saturated in the jubilant atmosphere which the night had evoked throughout as the entire collection shared the stage for a rendition of The Band’s ‘The Weight’.
Along the way Gavin Glass and the house band kept the venue captivated throughout, while Ian Doyle announced himself as a talent to watch out for with his cover of the Nine Inch Nails’ song ‘Hurt’.
Lisa Hannigan made several memorable appearances on stage, from being serenaded by the inimitable Jerry Fish, who proceeded to embark on a spontaneous waltz through the crowd, to her alluring performances of her own ‘Lille’ and Bob Dylan’s ‘Meet Me In The Morning’.
James Vincent McMorrow gave fans a little taste of what to expect when he returns to the venue later in the year, his rendition of Roy Orbison’s ‘In Dreams’ prompting a raucous reception from the audience.
Mick Flannery’s appearance seemed to draw the audience (at least the female half anyway ) closer to the stage and Julie Feeney appeared to add another exciting dimension to the line-up, as did the energy of Cork quintet Fred.
Given the quality of performer that Set has attracted in its first year, venue manager Barry Ennis has his work cut out to make the next 12 months even better, but with names like McMorrow, Bell X1, The Divine Comedy and The Duke & The King lined up over the next couple of months, who would bet against it?
The second birthday should be another almighty bash.
See social photos from the event on page 14 this week.
