LES KEYE
plus support
Little Whelan’s • Thur 1st Feb 2024
Neil Young, in his anthemic Hey Hey, My My, said it was, better to burn out not fade away, and strangely, Les Keye did neither. He just kept moving forward steadily, making great, great music.
February 1st sees Keye return to the stage for a much anticipated live performance of 20 Greenlea Road, in Whelans of Wexford street. The record is a poignant exploration of family, migration, and one man’s reflection on what it means to grow up Jewish in Ireland. Keye is a descendant of the famed Irish harpist, O’Carolyn on his Catholic Mother’s side, and Holocaust fleeing, Russian/Polish Jews on his Dad’s. Despite it’s moving lyrical content, the new release still handily displays Keye’s trademark pop sensibilities and deftly draws the listener into his storyline whilst handing them multiple singable hooks to ponder. Co-written and recorded with long time friend and collaborator extrodiaire, Joe Chester, 20 Greenlea Road stands tall as a deep, suave, and yet highly accessible signpost on the pair’s oft shared musical road.
From his days as lead singer/principle songwriter in the beloved 90s band The Wilde Oscars, to solo artist, to sideman in notable projects with the likes of: Eamonn O’Dowd & The Racketeers (featuring the legendary Eamonn Carr & Jim Lockhart of Horslips fame), Strand, with Niall Toner of The Prongs and The Dixons, Duncan Maitland (ex XTC, Picturehouse, Pugwash) Herm and Clay Dolls; Leslie Keye has slow walked himself into the role of, established figure upon the lush Irish music landscape.
As a Grafton St busker, as a tour warrior, record producer/engineer for luminaries such as Neil Hannon & Thomas Walsh, Cruel Sister, Liam O’Maonlaí (Hothouse Flowers), Steve Wickham (The Waterboys, Old Crows) and all the way back around to lauded writer/singer/recording artist, Leslie Keye shows no signs of burning out nor fading to anywhere except his next big inspirational work.
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TICKETS
€16.50 available online from Whelan’s – 50c per ticket service charge applies.
Strictly over 18′s, I.D. may be required.
AFTER THE GIG
Whelan’s Silent Disco from 10:30pm – 2 DJs, just pick the one you like best (€5 cover charge), plus Late Bar.