Jamie Duffy, a remarkable pianist from Monaghan, voiced out his belief that classical music should not be confined to a select group of individuals during his performance at Dublin’s National Concert Hall on Tuesday evening. The 22-year-old burgeoning talent, who enthrals his audience with performances on the open Steinbeck piano with such skill that one would be pardoned for assuming music had always been his chosen career, performed his secondary sold-out show this month, initiating with two never-before-heard pieces, Resonance and Circles, epitomised by foreboding, throbbing bass notes and a cinematic minor key edge.
Opening the concert with a video collage reflecting on his unexpected musical journey, the audience was shown a glimpse of the spectacular ride the former Queen’s University politics student has been on recently. His self-composed piano melody, Solas, has exceeded 69 million streams since February 2022, after unexpectedly going viral due to a TikTok upload. The unexpected success led to a recording agreement with Irish independent record company Rubyworks, home to other acclaimed artists like Hozier, Wyvern Lingo and David Keenan.
Recently returning from a New York trip to film a video, Duffy mentioned he has been busy writing songs for his impending debut album with some prominent composers. In person, the young artist exhibits a warmth, informality and wit, delivering a signature sound that seamlessly merges classical, Irish, and contemporary vibe with his distinctive spin.
In another performance, Duffy performed, Into The West, a number inspired by the Irish’s historical mass migration to America, with the original cello section being substituted on the day by a violin one played by Jenny Feeley to dramatic effect. In a recent single, Eyrie, Duffy shook things up by playing the tin whistle, showing his mastery, while support act Ciana O’Muireadhaigh stepped in on the keys.
The rising star speaks fondly of the whistle, calling it a truly enchanting and transformative tool, and even his favourite. “It is like a beloved child to me,” he says, ahead of one the most notable performances from his captivating concert. Later, Duffy renditions a song written by his grandfather for his grandmother’s 16th birthday, an emotional homage.
Duffy confesses that he felt “anxious” to reveal his more than adequate singing skills for a change. Eventually, during a rendition of the Irish folk melody The Galway Shawl, his grandfather accompanies him on stage for some guitar play and to supply supporting vocals. It’s clear that the musical talent of the family runs deep. The young artist remarks that these songs are incomparable.
The show concludes with the classical tune that has become a viral sensation, Solas. This beat out Hozier’s Take Me to Church to become the most streamed debut single by an Irish performer ever. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is it was a piano instrumental.
“Evidently, this song completely transformed my life,” admits Duffy, displaying commendable self-realisation. “It’s why I’m here, probably why you’re here too.”
Regardless of whether he becomes Ireland’s Clean Bandit, Hans Zimmer equivalent, or the subsequent Yo-Yo Ma, Duffy’s future without doubt looks promising.