The acclaimed Irish singer-songwriter Lisa Hannigan enraptured the audience at the Hot Press-curated Windmill Live gig tonight – in the process furthering the musical and cultural legacy of the burgeoning Windmill Quarter

Over the course of some 17 years at the top of Irish music, Lisa Hannigan has built up a powerful reputation for her stunning live performances – captivating audiences around the world with her unique, otherworldly approach to folk. But her appearance in the iconic setting of the Hot Press-curated Windmill Live gigs, held in One Windmill Lane – the home of the original Windmill Lane Studios, which was crucial in the making of legendary albums from the likes of U2, Van Morrison, The Waterboys and Kate Bush, among others – was always set to be a special one.

Support on the night came from acclaimed English singer-songwriter John Smith, who has garnered international acclaim on the back of solo tours and support slots for the likes of John Martyn, Iron and Wine, Tinariwen and Ben Howard. A famously skilled guitarist, Smith’s career has also included previous forays in the sideman role – playing guitar, among others, for tonight’s headliner, Lisa Hannigan.

Showcasing these legendary chops, Smith’s own set was a tour-de-force of folk-inspired wizardry.

Lisa Hannigan took to the stage with her trademark grace – immediately demonstrating her ability to enrapture audiences, in a venue of any size. In the impressive surrounds of One Windmill Lane, complete with the added ambience of beautiful Christmas decorations, her vocals took centre stage, as she delivered a thrillingly eclectic set.

The gig capped off a remarkable year for Lisa, following the release of her stunning album, Live In Dublin, back in May. A collaboration with composer André de Ridder and his s t a r g a z e neo-classical orchestra, the album captures the spell-binding aura of Lisa’s live shows – which she powerfully showcased again tonight.

Overall, it was a musical night to remember – not just for the two acts performing, but for the legacy that their appearance in this uniquely iconic space celebrated.

Aficionados will, of course, know that Windmill Lane Recording Studios later moved to a new location, in the famous Art Deco building on Ringsend Road, where it remains at the heart of the music industry in Ireland. Windmill Lane Recording Studios continues to attract major international and Irish recording artists, including the likes of Kylie Minogue, Hozier, Ed Sheeran, The Script, Lady Gaga, Kodaline and U2.