David Gray review: Singer's long love affair with Cork shines at sold-out Marquee
David Gray on stage during the first night of his two concerts at The Marquee. Picture: Noel Sweeney
David Gray’s highly anticipated return to Cork for the opening night of his Past and Present Tour feels less like a coincidence and more like a full-circle moment.
Tonight, he takes the stage in front of a sold-out Marquee crowd, the first of two gigs at the beloved tent, reflecting on his relationship with a city that has endured throughout his long-standing career.
That same career has led to more than a dozen albums by Gray, all of which are set to be revisited tonight by him and his six-piece band. The day is made extra special as it marks Gray's 58th birthday.
The Manchester-born Welshman’s love affair with Cork started nearly 35 years ago when a young Gray played his first Leeside gig at Nancy Spain’s on Barrack Street back in 1992.
Fast forward to 2026, Gray's first of two performances at the Marquee attracts veteran fans of a certain vintage, many of whom may well remember that inaugural Cork show all those decades ago.
Gray has brought the weather with him, as the sun shines on a busy Cork City. With the celebrations of the Midsummer Festival starting today, the party continues at the Docklands with tonight’s opening act, Neil Hannon’s The Divine Comedy warming up an eager crowd with an hour-long orchestral set list.
Beloved hits by the seven-person group such as and set the tone for a perfectly entertaining night celebrating musical storytelling and timeless writing.
On the back of a birthday sea swim, the man of the hour greets the Marquee to a roaring audience. Supported by a five-person band, a full crowd flocks to the stage.
It takes only one song for the crowd to erupt into Happy Birthday which Gray embraces before jumping into , which the crowd recites verbatim.
Switching seamlessly from guitar, piano and tambourine, Gray delivers a frictionless performance assisted by an enthusiastic drummer, both of whom are fully immersed in a set list celebrating tracks old and new.
For many, the tent is akin to a time machine, with classic sing-along tracks like and - songs that formed the soundtrack of the early 2000s - transforming a receptive audience back to a simpler time. Both the crowd and Gray lose themselves in the extended versions of the two classics, neither wanting the music to stop.
reminds the crowd of Gray’s unmatched lyrical songcraft. Songs from his 1998 White Ladder - one of the best-selling British albums of the 21st century, remain fan favourites.
Paying tribute to his roots, Gray dedicates his performance of to the “Nancy Spain’s people,” ensuring that his early years in Cork are not forgotten.
His homage is followed by a cover of Depeche Mode’s , sending the crowd into a frenzy.
His encore, decorated by birthday balloons, is determined by the crowd as a non-negotiable. Gray concedes that there’s unfinished business, finishing his set with by SoftCell, Bowie's and his own classic, .
David Gray's performance is more than just a concert; It’s a homecoming. After two hours of back-to-back nostalgia, it’s time for the man of the hour to retire. But for an old friend like David, it’s less of a goodbye and more of a ‘see you later.”
