Live at the Marquee review: Roars of local love for Cork star Flannery

Well, local love helped for sure, but pure talent carried him over the line.

Word is he’s the secret star of the Secret Gig for Cork Midsummer Festival on Saturday night. On the evidence of this night’s energy, expect that to be thronged.

“Thank you for coming,” he started modestly, shortly before 9pm. He introduced the band, then quickly brought the audience under his spell.

It’s very nice to be here. This song is about someone who is nervous about doing a gig.

The beautiful chorus of  ‘Neon Tonight’ sparked a fire.

“This next song [‘The Small Fire’] is based on something my grandfather said when he lit a fire and when he got caught, his excuse was ‘I lit the small fire, I don’t know who lit the big one’.  

“I stole that line from him. I normally tell a longer story, but tonight I’m terrified.” 

Well, if honesty deserves roars of affection, then Flannery got decibels of supportive love and the night just rose from there.

One highlight was the duets with special guest Susan O’Neill, whose warm-up show was itself a thing of great beauty, featuring gems including ‘Rewire’, ‘Trafalgar Square’ and ‘Carry My Song’.

Mick and Susan, of course, joined forces on ‘In The Game’, their acclaimed 2021 co-written album of fictional break-up ballads, intense emotions, and recriminations of a couple on the edge.

The fictional troubled couple ran through deep blues to gospel highs, and the songs are, well, pure magic.

Another highlight, of course, was the guest appearance of Ricky Lynch, local Cork legend, accompanied by Mick’s brothers. Mick said he was 15 when he used to go to see Ricky play. Ricky was very supportive and Mick and thanked him for the memories. 

Debt repaid. Big, big love in the room for Ricky

By the way, Mick’s brothers are also great singers; talented family. His younger brother Eamon came out and sang the final encore, a Creedence Clearwater cover and a great way to end a great night. 

And, of course, Mick Flannery’s deep and powerful songs are the take-home star of the night. 

‘Baby Talk’, ‘Safety Rope, ‘Miss Me When I’m Gone’, ‘Take It On The Chin’, ‘Goodtime Charlie’ and ‘Get What You Give’.

“That song [‘Get What You Give’] was inspired by a song written by my friend Andrew House. Together as ‘Christy Skulls’, we have about 400 ‘hits’ on YouTube. I’d like to welcome him on stage.”

All those video vignettes by Christy Skulls are no more than 30 seconds long. 

They did a few, the best being ‘I Look Like Brad Pitt From The Neck Down’ and ‘I’m Dead and I Don’t Give A Fuck (Because I’m Dead)’. 

The originality and craft of the writing are what sustained the power of this performance. 

It was a real privilege to witness a crowd show such unbridled love for a true hometown hero.