Mercury-nominated Irish singer-songwriter Gemma Hayes is performing three sell-out shows in London next month (September).
Gemma, 47, signed her first contract in 2001 – and her latest and sixth studio album Blind Faith has been described by MOJO as ‘the album of her career’.
Almost 25 years after her breakthrough debut album Night on My Side (2002), she’s playing more live shows and gaining more recognition now than she ever did as a 20-something newcomer – earlier this year, her track Wicked Game hit 30 million streams.
Having lived in London and LA, she’s now based back in Ireland, and her latest, hypnotic single Central Hotel celebrates Manchester’s industrial heritage, with a remix by Grammy Award-winning producer Marius de Vries, renowned for his work on Madonna’s Ray Of Light album and film soundtracks including Moulin Rouge and La La Land.
The single is lifted from Blind Faith, Gemma’s first studio album for a decade, and her three London shows in September were selected to emphasise the two sides of Gemma: St Pancras Old Church (Thurs. 4/9 and Fri. 5/9) is small and intimate, and The Lexington (Sat. 6/9) is a traditional staple of London’s rock music scene.
All three London performances will be full band shows. Gemma said: “The Thursday and Friday nights will be a close-up and personal affair in the very historic St Pancras Old Church, and then the Saturday night will be a bit more of a raucous affair at one of London’s finest old famous rock ‘n roll venues in Kings Cross, The Lexington.”
Blind Faith is Gemma’s first new album since 2014’s Bones + Longing – and while her songwriting is as personal as ever, its abstract nature allows the listener to sink into each song, immersed by tender guitar picking, eerie synths and swooning cello. Single Central Hotel sees her at the top of her game as a storyteller. Gemma loses herself in the music, turns everything inside out, or else offers up moments of quiet and reflection. It’s an extraordinary album from one of Ireland’s most gifted and unique artists.
Gemma Hayes London Residency:
Thursday September 4th St Pancras Old Church, Pancras Road, London NW1 1UL
Friday September 5th St Pancras Old Church, Pancras Road, London NW1 1UL
Saturday September 6th The Lexington, 96-98 Pentonville Rd, London N1 9JB
