MARK GEARY
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Whelan’s Upstairs • Sun 10th December 2023
Irish singer-songwriter Mark Geary left Ireland with a one-way ticket to New York and a heart full of hope over twenty years ago. There, in Sin-é cafe, Mark honed his craft and sang alongside the best of them, including the late Jeff Buckley. Time Out NY said, “His delicate songs about love and defiance recall Richard Thompson and John Lennon.”
With five studio and three live albums, touring and live performances are still Mark’s lifeblood. Geary’s sound is stripped back. He treats his songs with trade-mark Geary honesty. His lyrics slice right through to the core revealing a life laid bare of human emotional frailty, failed relationships, tenderness, hurt, making amends, desire and parting.
Geary has featured on bills with musicians as diverse as Glen Hansard, John Prine, Joe Strummer, Elvis Costello, The Pretenders, Coldplay and The Frames amongst others plus extensive headlining tours in Europe, the US and Switzerland. He has composed the full score for three films and has many songs featured in films and TV programmes.
The single The Forest released in May 2020 is exquisite. Its quietness is cathartic and evocative. It set a new path for Geary’s sound. It builds to a crescendo reminiscent of overflowing verdant Summer Irish forests.
Mark’s single Spectre released in December 2020 is beautiful, dark and haunting and features deftly interwoven layers of acoustic guitars. It was written during a time of intense, unbroken reflection, surrounded by nature. This comes from a place of understanding and forgiveness.”
Irish musicians Side 4 Collective released their latest single ‘Last Roll of the Dice’ featuring Mark in December 2022. Side 4 is the brainchild of Drummer Dave Hingerty (The Frames, Kila, Josh Ritter). Dave said “we were excited to work with Mark on this single and to join him on his creative process”.
Mark recently completed a sell out month long residency in the new Little Whelan’s at Whelan’s in Dublin with his band. Mark welcomed special guests each week and curated the shows.
There’s a lot more to come from this prolific and talented songsmith. He is preparing for his forthcoming album. His treasured guitar collection is always close at hand, each set up in a different tuning.
pic by Patrick Glennon
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TICKETS
€20 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.