Cian Ducrot – Live Review – The Piece Hall, Halifax

By Steve Crabtree, August 2024

Well, what a summer of music it has been in my lovely home town of Halifax. As far as world-class acts, household names, and new kids on the block (no, they didn’t perform) are concerned, we’ve been spoilt for choice this year – and it’s hard to believe that the season has now come to an end.

It was a Bank Holiday Monday, and The Piece Hall was gearing up for the final concert of the summer series. After attending 19 gigs here this season, it was hard to believe this would be the last one.

For this one, the crowd was a little thinner than usual, a stark contrast to the packed-out shows earlier in the summer. But, with lots of space to move around, the vibe was incredibly relaxed and chilled out, which set us up with a calm tone for the night ahead.

“No shortage of excitement”

Cian Ducrot opened the show with a trio of tracks—‘Coming Home,’ ‘Heaven,’ and ‘Victory,’ the title track from his UK Number One album.

It was an opening that delighted an already excited crowd, bringing a bit of energy to the night. And, despite the mellow vibe, there was no shortage of excitement.

Ducrot’s ability to connect with his fans was clear as he jumped down from the stage several times, mingling with the crowd and singing alongside them. It was a move that added something to the evening that the fans loved, making it clear that this wasn’t just another gig for him.

“Friendly atmosphere”

Although I hadn’t seen anything of Cian Ducrot until tonight, his laid-back Irish style of music translated well on stage. His mellow tunes took on a new life under the lights, packing more punch than I had expected. While his recorded music is undeniably smooth and calming, his live performance had a vibrancy that brought out a different side of his music.

Much of the crowd was singing along, fans who had discovered him during his rise to fame on TikTok during the lockdown. The connection between Ducrot and his audience is really nice. His casual banter with the audience fit nicely with the friendly atmosphere, making it a lovely gathering to enjoy some live music.

One thing that stood out was Cian Ducrot’s versatility as a musician. Seeing him switch between guitar, piano, and flute, all while delivering strong vocals, was impressive. It’s one thing to listen to his music online, but seeing him live showcased just how talented he is. His voice carried beautifully across The Piece Hall, and the instrumentation was great too. Ducrot is a talented guy with a good band behind him, and together they delivered a solid show.

“An artist worth watching”

Before launching into his closing hits ‘All For You’ and ‘I’ll Be Waiting,’ Cian took a moment to express his appreciation for the venue. “What a beautiful and amazing venue, and we are really honoured to be here to close out the summer series at The Piece Hall,” he told us, as his words were met with cheers.

While I wouldn’t have chosen this gig as the closer for the summer season, it was still a pleasant evening. In hindsight, the night before, with Jungle, would have been the perfect celebration to wrap up 34 shows. However, that’s not to take anything away from Cian Ducrot. He provided a nice, calm end to what has been an incredible summer of live music at The Piece Hall.

Overall, it was a good show, and Ducrot has certainly proven himself to be an artist worth watching. As the final notes of the season faded away, there was a sense of quiet satisfaction in the air—a fitting end to a memorable summer.

Images: The Piece Hall/Cuffe & Taylor