Note-perfect gig opens new grown-up chapter

THE quiff has been replaced by a heavy dark fringe; the rockabilly dress with a more casual top and skirt and Christian Louboutin boots. And as the band struck up for the first tune — a slow, sultry lament — I thought even Imelda May herself had been substituted.

But no, this is just the new, more grown-up, still slightly heartbroken version of our national treasure.

Heralding from the Liberties, the Dubliner has had a lot of changes in her life over the past two years.

Her latest album, Life Love Flesh Blood, was a complete departure from her previous four and detailed what fans presumed was her split from her husband and guitarist Darrel Higham. In subsequent interviews, Imelda revealed most of it was, in fact, based on a post-Darrel relationship with a Frenchman.

Both break-ups led to her darkest album to date and her live show has changed accordingly. The opening track, Call Me, stunned the Bord Gais arena — the perfect, intimate setting in which to watch Imelda — into total silence as

Imelda May: Bord Gais Energy Theatre

she hit every note perfectly, while the second track, When It’s My Time, showcased her amazing vocal range. As the show progressed, she didn’t forget her rock roots completely and my personal favourite, The Longing, was a fiery, passionate performance reminiscent of Chrissie Hynde. Ahead of I Choose Love, Imelda explained she wrote it following the Bataclan massacre, in which a member of her French record company was shot. She encouraged the audience to turn to the person beside them and shake hands and introduce themselves, saying that in the wake of the Manchester attacks last week, we must keep loving each other and supporting music. As long as music like this is being produced in Ireland, I don’t think Imelda has any worries.