An Evening with Imelda May – Raised on Songs & Stories at Kilkenny’s Watergate Theatre was less a traditional concert and more an intimate fireside gathering, where music, memory, and storytelling intertwined seamlessly. The sold out seated show felt a world away from the typical theatre experience, transformed instead into something deeply personal and distinctly Irish.
From the moment the audience entered, the tone was set. The stage was dressed to resemble a cosy sitting room, complete with warm lighting and homely details. Imelda May herself acknowledged the setup early on, joking that she had “brought her own sitting room” with her. It was a fitting visual metaphor for the evening that followed, relaxed, reflective, and rooted in connection rather than spectacle.
Opening the night was Irish-born, London-based artist and composer Last Apollo aka Lucy Rice, whose atmospheric and thoughtful performance provided a complementary prelude. Her stripped-back approach and emotive songwriting aligned well with the reflective mood of the main set, easing the audience gently into the evening.
Imelda May opened her own performance with a moving rendition of “Dublin in the Rare Old Times,” paying tribute to the city’s past and immediately grounding the night in nostalgia and cultural memory. From there, the show unfolded as a carefully balanced blend of song, poetry, and storytelling, a format that has become a hallmark of May’s recent work.
Drawing from her extensive discography, May reimagined familiar songs in stripped back arrangements, allowing lyrics and emotion to take centre stage. Highlights included “Kentish Town Waltz,” “Big Bad Handsome Man,” “Just One Kiss,” and “Should’ve Been You,” each delivered with warmth and nuance. These pared down versions revealed new layers to songs many in the audience knew well, reinforcing May’s strength as both a songwriter and interpreter.
Interspersed throughout the set were five poetry readings, delivered with the same honesty and emotional clarity as her music. Her storytelling was humorous, poignant, and often deeply personal, bridged songs naturally, making the evening feel like a shared conversation rather than a performance.
One of the night’s most memorable moments came midway through the set, when May invited an audience member to join her on stage. After some gentle persuasion, a woman stepped forward to sing “Caledonia” by Dougie MacLean. May joined in towards the end, creating a spontaneous, heartfelt duet that perfectly embodied the communal spirit of the show.
The encore brought the evening to a rousing close. A soulful rendition of Gloria Jones’ “Tainted Love” was followed by a powerful version of “A Rainy Night in Soho” by The Pogues. As the final notes rang out, the audience rose for a well deserved standing ovation.
An Evening with Imelda May – Raised on Songs & Stories was a reminder that the most powerful performances don’t rely on grandeur, but on honesty, connection, and the simple magic of songs shared.
Last Apollo photos:
Imelda May photos:
Photos & words – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic