Everybody dancing as Chic gets groovy at Marquee

Humblebrag. Noun. An ostensibly modest or self-deprecating statement whose actual purpose is to draw attention to something of which one is proud.

Nile Rodgers is king of the humblebrag. But man, he’s got a lot to draw attention to.

As a performer, a producer, a writer or just providing a sample, he’s made the best, better. It must be hard not to namedrop when you’ve worked with legends like David Bowie, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, Sam Smith, Pharrell Williams, Lady Gaga, the list, literally, goes on and on.

Manon Van Der Zee and Patricia Duarte at the Chic gig at the Marquee. Picture: Barlokphoto

“This is our third time in Cork,” Rodgers says, with the Hitmaker, his 1960 Fender Stratocaster, slung over his glorious white suit, as he swishes his dreadlocks over his shoulder. “It’s very special to us. For those of who don’t know me, I’ve worked with bands like Daft Punk... “ Cue humblebrag. And the crowd goes wild.

It’s my first time grabbing a seat on the groove-train and seeing Chic live. Anyone who caught them last year had the ear bent off me about how amazing the show was. And didn’t Noel Gallaher declare them his favourite act at Glastonbury a couple of years ago. “They were fucking mega. Absolutely out of this world.”

Jeff Casey, from Togher, and Maria Buckley, from Tivoli, at the Chic concert. Picture: Barlokphoto

The atmosphere before the show is the best I’ve ever experienced. Disco divas in giant glittery afro wigs, grannys dressed in tie n’dye and psychedelic vibes all over.

Pat and Gaye Morgan and their daughters Julie and Elma are in disco form on the way into the gig. Pat saw Chic at Electric Picnic and describes it as one of the most enjoyable performances he’s ever seen. they’re all looking forward to ‘Everybody Dance’.

The Marquee is the first date of a European I’ll Be There tour. And The Morgans must have been pleased as they started off the funk with ‘Everybody Dance’. And everybody did. The whole place was pulling shapes. It didn’t matter that some of them looked like the inflatable windsock men that American car dealerships use. The Marquee tent moved with groovy intent last night.

Enjoying the Vodafone VIP treatment at last night’s Chic concert at the Marquee were Megan and Linda Walsh from Blarney.

They played all the favourites, Diana Ross’s ‘I’m Coming Out’, Sister Sledge’s ‘He’s the Greatest Dancer’, ‘Le Freak’, Madonna’s ‘Like A Virgin’.

Chic have been doing their thang since the ’70s, they are disco gods and we can but worship at the altar. I did my worshipping in totally awesome purple suede platform boots but they made my ankles look wonky. Now that right there? That’s as close to a humblebrag a Cork chick who’s never met Madonna can get, Nile.