Singer Cian Ducrot surprised fans with an impromptu concert today in front of the Dublin Portal in the city centre.
The pop-up performance included a flash mob choir and a backing band to which Ducrot performed his hit singles I’ll Be Waiting and Something I Can’t Afford.
The event kicked off at a quarter past three as a light drizzle began to fall. Luckily, the rain held off for the afternoon as shoppers stopped in their tracks to enjoy the surprise event.
Ducrot, dressed fashionably in a leather jacket and black sunglasses, performed to a crowd of around a hundred spectators.
Viewership on the other sides of the portal, which switched between displaying New York and the recently connected cities of Lublin in Poland and Vilnius in Lithuania, was much smaller, with only one or two sticking around for longer than a few minutes.
This was probably expected, as the live music aspect of the event was lost on those far-off spectators, since the Portals do not transmit sound.
However, on the Dublin side, the event was well-received. Ducrot encouraged the crowd to get involved in the performance by singing and clapping along.
Lisa Graham, who described herself as one of Ducrot’s biggest fans, was introduced to the singer for a quick conversation in front of the crowd after his performance.
Speaking to the Irish Independent as the show wound down, Ms Graham said that she has seen Ducrot multiple times now, and that “he’s always really, really good. His songs are just brilliant, and they have a lovely message,” she said.
“The tone of his voice is very unique, like when you hear him on the radio, you know it’s Cian Ducrot.”
The singer’s latest single Can’t Even Hate You, which he performed at the event, is set to release this Friday, August 30.
“I’m so excited to be the first artist to perform at the Portal, especially to do it in my home country feels really special,” said Ducrot.
“Our culture of music is so rich so to be able to be a part of representing that is a huge honour. It’s was a very special experience for everyone involved.”
The Cork musician recently played headline shows to audiences of 20,000 at St Anne’s Park in Dublin and 15,000 at Cork’s Virgin Media Park this summer.
Mary Mac Sweeney, acting executive manager of Dublin City Council’s Culture, Recreation and Economic Services Department said: “Dublin is well known for its love of culture, including its contribution to the global music industry.
“We are delighted to welcome Ireland’s own Cian Ducrot to the Dublin Portal and to be part of this unique music experience that brings art and culture together in Dublin’s City Centre.”
