Stephanie McCourt, whose dad Christopher hails from Dundalk, performing on Friday night
On Friday night Stephanie McCourt took to the stage at her biggest show to date, performing at the legendary Jazz Café in Camden Town, London to a sell out crowd.
Headlining the Supa Dupa Fly event, the first few acts came and went before the crowd got to see what they had really come for; Stephanie McCourt live for one night only.
The crowd was heaving by the time Stephanie took to the stage. The likes of BBC The Voice finalist Matt Henry - who Stephanie had recently supported at his album launch event – was in the house showing support as was John Michie (Holby City, Coronation Street) who had come to support and see McCourt for the first time. In addition were A&R’s from Sony, Virgin and more who were all checking out the talent of Miss McCourt with a view to signing her to their labels.
Stephanie’s dad, Dundalk-born Christopher McCourt was also there to support his daughter. Stephanie is the granddaughter of Jim and Audrey McCourt, from Bay Estate.
The head of Unstoppable Music Group Ben Wynter took to the stage describing her as a once in a generation voice that will blow you away, before introducing her to the stage. What followed was a breathtaking performance full of confidence, swagger and a lot of shimmying.
Stephanie performed songs from her forthcoming EP ‘Stripped Back’, which is due to be released on iTunes late this week. Stephanie stepped onto the stage with poise and beauty, in a short gold dress, going straight into her first track “Hard Living”. The drummer started off the track with multiple hits of his snare drum before McCourt’s backing singers chimed in with the melodic and oh so hooky “do wops”.
From her first line “You take me over…” the controlled yet emotive vocals rang out and the crowd hushed to hear her sing, phones in the air as the audience snapped pictures and captured video.
McCourt sang with heartfelt emotion and passion as she described a lost love that captures her heart and then leaves, making it hard for her to live without his love. Stephanie also went on to perform other hits such as “Do You Remember”, which tells the story of broken promises and a love lost. The energy of the drummer gave it a swing feel whilst there was a hip hop and soul energy that flows through the record like something that Alicia Keys would have performed early in her career.
McCourt ends the song and dedicates the next one to her sister who is in the audience, as it’s “her favourite” of the songs she has recorded. The song is called “Never Did I” and is a real emotive heartfelt strong ballad reminiscent of early Motown ballads. You could hear a pin drop as McCourt perfectly captured the emotion of the song.
Following the song Stephanie tells us that “that was a bit emotional wasn’t it” and that it’s time to pick it up and get everyone dancing and with that launches into a cover of a super funky record by Paloma Faith, the Pharell-produced “Cant Rely On You”. Vocally she nailed it, with a full run of vocal acrobatics and holding of notes longer than most can hold their breath. The band sounded super funky as they made their way through the truck, the drummer hitting the skins like a Tasmanian devil, the afro of the bass player bouncing with every strum and the two stepping backing singers hitting their notes. It’s evident that the fun being had on stage was mirrored by the fun being had by the audience.
As she exits stage you couldn’t help but wonder if what was witnessed on the night was the early days in the career of a future superstar as there was certainly something very unique and special about the performance. The name Stephanie McCourt is not one that will be going away anytime soon that is for sure.
Stephanie belts out another track to a packed crowd
Stephanie and her band are surely destined for bigger and better things
