Gilbert O’Sullivan to celebrate 60 years in music with 2027 tour

Irish singer-songwriter Gilbert O’Sullivan has seen enduring popularity throughout his 60-year career and counts CMAT as one of his fans

Gilbert O'Sullivan will head out on a tour from September to November to commemorate his 60 years in music. File photo

Gilbert O’Sullivan says he never thought of his career lasting into old age when he was starting out.

“You just kind of enjoy the moment when you’re able to write songs, make records, get them released, promote — nobody talked about it sort of going into old age, 70s or 80s.”

In 2027, O’Sullivan is celebrating his 60th year in music and will head out on a tour from September to November to commemorate the milestone.

“We have over two hours,” the singer says of his bumper setlist, packed with songs from a six-decade career as well as a taste of new album — On The Record, which features the single Growing Old Disgracefully.

The Waterford-born star has a reputation for being loved by the old, but younger artists have quoted him as an influence, with The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess, Paul Weller, Take That’s Gary Barlow, and most recently Irish singer CMAT singing his praises.

CMAT has constantly praised O’Sullivan’s influence on her music, modelling her outfit on one of his when she made her first US TV appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and the pair performed together at Glastonbury Festival in 2023.

“It’s nice when that happens,” O’Sullivan says of CMAT’s admiration. “When it happens, it’s a compliment to you as a songwriter, and a performer. It’s nice to have that appeal coming across.”

Asked whether he would consider working with CMAT, who has also covered O’Sullivan’s Alone Again (Naturally), he replies: “I’ve never co-written with anybody other than myself, so I wouldn’t necessarily want to do that, but who knows what could happen.”

• On The Record is released on November 6, and tickets for his 60 Years Of Music Tour, which features dates in Dublin, Liverpool and London, are on sale from Gilbertosullivan.co.uk.