‘It felt like a fever dream’... Singer John Grant surprises Navan Pride goers with intimate live Lantern gig

With Navan Pride Festival taking place over the weekend with a colourful array of performances and events, there was one particular highlight that stood out during the festival this year - following the Pride Parade and After Party on Saturday evening, internationally acclaimed Michigan singer-songwriter John Grant performed an intimate secret gig in the Backroom at The Lantern pub in the town.

Most recently, the 'Queen of Denmark' singer collaborated with Dunboyne pop star CMAT on the song 'Where Are Your Kids Tonight?' making it especially exciting to welcome him to the Royal County as a part of this year’s Pride Festival.

Navan Pride Organiser Paddy Lawlor said: “Back in February, I had the idea of a secret gig, and given John is openly gay and a lot of his songs deal with the struggle of self-acceptance, I thought he would be the perfect fit for something like that. I'm also a big fan, so I got in contact with his people a few months back and what I felt was a long shot turned out to be something of interest to him. There was a bit of to-ing and fro-ing with his people to make it happen and Mick Foley was very accommodating in The Lantern in making it happen.

“Given John has performed in the Royal Albert Hall and with the likes of CMAT, Elton John and Kylie Minogue, it was a huge coup to get him, but he's also one of my musical heroes.

“The performance itself, with around 80 people huddled together almost like a warm embrace, was incredible. It was just him and his big, booming baritone on a Roland keyboard and he knocked it out of the park. He did a 12-song set, starting with a few handpicked obscurities and then moving on to heartrending classics like 'Outer Space', 'Caramel' and LGBT anthem 'Glacier'. 'Queen of Denmark' was dedicated to his late friend and collaborator, Sinéad O'Connor. He finished off the set with 'GMF' which everyone present sang along to. It was just surreal. One attendee described seeing John Grant playing in the Lantern for Pride as like a 'fever dream'.

“He was also so warm and came down off the stage to talk with fans, sign stuff and pose for photos. Navan Pride will be forever grateful to him.

“Now, we hope to make the secret gig, with a big-name act, a staple of our yearly festival, so watch this space!”

The Navan Pride Committee said on their Instagram page: “It was such a fantastic evening and a real privilege for our small volunteer-run festival to host an artist of John’s calibre. Dreams came true on Saturday night for so many in this town and the boy from Michigan truly made history for our town and for our town’s LGBTQ+ community and allies. It truly was a life-changing night.

“We all felt it, and we’re still basking in the warmth of the occasion. This is a night that will stay with Navan Pride - and with so many of us - for years to come.”

The American singer performed a stripped back gig with just a microphone and a keyboard on the night, giving all in attendance a special up close and personal live performance.

Previously to the gig, the Navan Pride Parade marched through Navan on Saturday afternoon with a wonderful display of colour, drums and music, marking the occasion for another year.

For more information on Navan Pride, click here.