I hadn’t planned on photographing Tommy Fleming in the Moat Theatre.
Truth be told, I didn’t even know he was performing — I didn’t know much about anything. I’d spent the previous three days “puking my ring up,” as we might say…
By Saturday, I was starting to feel human again. I was dying to get out of the house and get some fresh air, so when the opportunity came up to photograph Tommy in my local theatre, I jumped at it. It felt like just the thing to bring me back to normality.
I had my camera bag packed from earlier in the week. I was meant to photograph the great Brush Shiels again — having shot him at The Write Stuff back in March — but that bout of vomiting put paid to that. Anyway, I grabbed my bag and off I headed.
I’d never photographed Tommy before. In fact, I’d never even seen him live, let alone met him, so it was great to catch up before the show. Some performers have angles they’d rather avoid, or aren’t fans of close-ups. Tommy? No such problems — I was free to shoot how I liked.
Tommy’s style, to use his own words, is “very traditional” — he likes a song with a good story. So there were plenty of Irish folk songs you’d know, and more than likely love.
Normally accompanied by a full band, tonight it was just Tommy with Ewan Cowley on guitar. I described it as “Tommy Unplugged,” and I wasn’t wrong. It was a lovely stripped-back set. Tommy’s voice held the crowd effortlessly, chatting and joking between songs, while Ewan played his part to perfection.
Honestly, it was something special. I’ve loved Tommy’s voice for many a year, so finally hearing him live was a real thrill — and when he sang the Christy Hennessy classic Roll Back the Clouds, my night was made.
Tommy is currently out on the road, and if you get the chance, he’s well worth catching — especially in a room like that.
Not a bad way to feel human again.
Now, for some photos:
