I almost canceled the concert. My energy level hit rock bottom this Sunday. Leaving the house? Just the thought was pure stress. However, I managed to gather myself and dragged myself to Zurich, thinking that concerts, music, and meeting friends would do me good. And oh boy! I would have regretted it if I had missed Moncrieff’s first Swiss headliner show.
Inferno of Emotions
Moncrieff’s three-piece band took the stage, and the volume exploded in the small, packed Zurich club Exil. But when Moncrieff himself, whose real name is Chris Brehiny, leaped out from backstage and energetically started with “What Am I Here For,” I was slightly taken aback. An incredible wave of energy explosively came from all sides. From second one, it seemed like everyone, even the farthest person, was singing along word for word. Equally electrifying was “Ruin”. This power and energy persisted throughout the entire concert.
The Evolution of an Artist
On 9th November 2022, I heard about Moncrieff for the first time and saw him live (read here). At The Hall in Zurich, he was the supporting act for his compatriots, The Script. Back then, Moncrieff was already giving goosebumps. It was clear right away that he had something special and had to come back. And now, in Zurich on a Sunday evening, the fourth concert of his very first headliner tour took place. This tour comprises 18 shows, taking him through Europe and the United Kingdom.
Moncrieff won the RTÉ Choice Music Prize 2023 in March of this year with his hit “Warm” as the Irish Song of the Year. The singer-songwriter from Waterford, Ireland, also released the EP “Highways & Hurricanes” at the end of May, an impressive testament to his development, presenting an intimate soundscape of an extraordinary musician. Moncrieff doesn’t shy away from addressing his inner demons. The Irishman spoke openly and honestly at Exil about losing both his siblings before he turned 18, explaining how difficult it was and the impact it had on his mental health.
Moncrieff’s musical journey began at the age of 16 when he played cover songs in clubs with his band. Chris is grateful that he discovered music, especially considering the high suicide rate in Ireland. With admirable openness, he talked about his fears and mental health while grinning despite the seriousness of his sad songs. With overwhelming energy and passion, Moncrieff presented them to the audience. With pride and a sparkle in his eyes, he mentioned in his eponymous song the ‘9 Lessons’ he had learned from his older brother.
Unbridled Energy, Tender Tones
Moncrieff whirled around the stage, wild and unrestrained. In the front row, some ducked to avoid being hit by the microphone stand. However, there were also quiet moments, like during his song “In My Room,” which he composed shortly before the Covid lockdown in mid-March 2020. Moncrieff also remained true to the cover songs, jumping into the audience with Avril Lavigne’s “I’m with you,” wrapping his arms around the fans and singing along with them. It seemed like he had no fear of intimacy. The musician showed this even more after the concert, warmly hugging everyone in greeting. Oh, this is one of the reasons why I like the people from the Emerald Isle. Many Irish not only have a passion for music but are also open and warm to everyone.
Complete photo gallery: Moncrieff at Exil Zurich
Moncrieff’s Serenade for Well-being
Moncrieff was excited as he announced that he would be releasing new songs regularly in the coming months. The number of his songs even exceeds the capacity of his upcoming debut album, set to be released in May. It will be a “self-care” series focusing on topics like self-care and mental health—subjects that are very close to his heart. Important: Always stay positive. This is also reflected in his tattoo on his right forearm. I can’t wait to hear these songs! But I’m even more excited about the prospect of hopefully experiencing him live again soon.
A Look at Charly ‘The Quiet Man’
By the way, as the support act, there was Charly, who calls himself ‘Quiet Man.’ He sat alone at the piano, his face framed by a bushy beard, a Roma cap on his head, friendship bracelets on his left arm, and numerous rings on his fingers. Over about 30 minutes, he lulled us with his music, which, as his stage name suggests, was calm and melancholic.
Complete photo gallery: Quiet Man in Zurich
Charly, a waiter from London, explained that it wasn’t easy to make a living from his music. Therefore, he was all the more grateful to be on tour with Moncrieff and perform in front of such a large audience. In 2018, he released his debut EP, including tracks like ‘Falling’ and ‘Save me.’
Beaming with joy, he told us about his upcoming wedding next year. In response, he presented the song ‘If I can’t love me.’ He also sang about his father in ‘Butterflies’ and the piece ‘Friendly Fire,’ written with Moncrieff.
Triumph in Zurich
Moncrieff’s first headline performance in Zurich was an explosive experience full of energy and emotions. Between unbridled stage presence and delicate, moving moments, he captivated the audience with open honesty about his personal struggles and impressed with new songs that will soon be released.
The Quiet Man’s sympathy was also palpable, and it was nice to listen to him. Nevertheless, on this evening, he simply couldn’t compete with Moncrieff, who surpassed everything and much more with his performance.
Websites:
moncrieff
Exil Zurich
gadget.ch
