Last night in the beautiful Theater Royal, Waterford, Glasshouse Music, known for their creative takes on classic albums, took on The Velvet Underground’s music and made it their own. With Adrian Crowley and Last Apollo (Lucy Rice) on vocals, the night was a mix of nostalgia and fresh energy.
Luke Howard opened the show with a solo set, playing both guitar and keyboard. He set the tone nicely—laid-back but full of feeling. Luke is a seriously talented musician, and his performance felt like a warm welcome into the night. He took a short break after his set before joining the group on stage for the main performance.
Once the full band hit the stage, there was a lovely atmosphere inside the theater. During the interval, many of the crowd had congregated in the lobby and spoke about Lukes set and having a general catch up. Crowley’s deep, rich voice gave songs like Venus in Furs a brooding, almost haunting feel, while Rice brought a sharp, raw energy to All Tomorrow’s Parties and Femme Fatale. Their voices couldn’t be more different, but together they worked perfectly, adding something new to these legendary songs.
The musicianship was top-notch. Naoise Dack on violin and Mary Barnecutt on cello gave the set a cinematic feel, while Yuzuha O’Halloran’s sax added some cool, unexpected moments. Matt Jacobsen kept things steady on drums, and Howard’s keyboard playing tied everything together beautifully.
It was clear to see during the show how much care went into the arrangements. These weren’t just covers—they were thoughtful reimagining’s. The band managed to stay true to the originals while making them feel fresh and alive.
Chatting with people after the show, the reaction was overwhelmingly positive. Everyone seemed blown away by the mix of talent on stage and how well the songs were brought to life. Crowley and Rice especially left a lasting impression.
This is a real one-of-a-kind performance, and this was another winner from the group. If you ever get the chance to see them live, don’t miss it.
Luke Howard photos:
Glasshouse Ensemble Photos:
Photos & Words – Alan Robinson @alan_robinson_photography
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