Michael Moloney to perform maiden headline gig in Mayo venue

IT has been an incredible journey for musician Michael Moloney over the past couple of years.

The 16-year-old, a native of Ballina and now residing in Dublin, went viral following an appearance on The Late Late Toy Show in November 2020, which saw the young man receive a shock when singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy joined him for a rendition of his hit song ‘Giants’.

Since then, he’s had another eight appearances on television – including another two on the Late Late – as well as plenty of radio and newspapers pieces.

He will now return to his home county this Saturday, February 11, when he headlines his first show in Mayo at the Ruby Room in the TF Royal Theatre & Hotel, Castlebar.

“I had my first headline show in the Soundhouse in Dublin on December 10. It sold out and that was crazy. When they spoke to me about the TF as my first headline gig on my home turf, I jumped on it immediately,” said Michael.

MOVING AWAY

During the Toy Show, Kennedy gifted Michael a voucher to record at Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin and recording with Grammy-nominated producer Gavin Murphy, Michael released his first single in May 2021 called ‘All That I Do’, which is dedicated to his late father Emmett, who passed away on May 23, 2017.

His latest single, ‘It’s Called Home’, was released last September, where Michael worked with another Grammy-nominated producer, Ruadhri Cushnann, in Camden Studios.

He's currently working on another single with the help of Cian Synott, Mark Caplice and Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin, where he attends The Institute.

“I was up in Dublin a lot recording music. My cousin has a house here and I could stay there. I’ve a load of family from Dublin so I’ve been up and down a lot and I know the city like the back of my hand.

“As well as that, nothing is better than having the 3Arena and the Olympia on my doorstep! Of course, I miss my mum, my dog Max and Ballina but that’s getting easier and I get to see her almost every weekend because she comes up to see me when I can’t go home.”

GIGS

He has been a busy man ever since. His first ever gig came in September 2021 at the Sea Sessions in Bundoran, playing with Lyra and Moncrieff, and later that year he played in Ballina. Appearances have since followed in Dolan’s, Limerick, opening for Brad Heidi, the Tumbling Paddies in The Hub in Kilkenny, the Hype Festival in Longford and he is no stranger to Castlebar following performances in the TF and Linenhall Arts Centre.

“I was so excited (for Sea Session). We went up to Bundoran and stayed the night before. I was going through my set list and the adrenaline was something. You’d be nervous because I’d never performed really to an audience.

“Before I went on stage, I was like ‘You know the songs, you know the lyrics’ and then you go on stage and the nerves just go away. “I’d never been to Kilkenny before and the people you’d get to meet are so kind. I love gigging and I love music.”

Now headlining a show in his home county for the first time, Michael cannot wait for the show this weekend.

“I cannot wait to do my first Mayo headline gig. It will be an amazing night and I can’t wait to see everyone there.

“I’m so exceptionally thankful to everybody who has reached out and given me an opportunity to advance my dream and my passion, my music, and I’m so lucky to have had the privilege of working with some of the most amazingly talented and kind individuals.”

Limited tickets are still available online at www.ticketmaster.ie.