Live Report: Moncrieff delivers a golden performance at 3Olympia Theatre

A phenomenal crowd gathered last night at Dublin's 3Olympia Theatre for an unforgettable performance from Moncrieff.

The artist also known as Chris Breheny ran on stage in his maroon suit, white tank top and pearl necklace to greet his adoring fans, as the opening riffs from ‘Love Somebody’ played him in.

As he danced across the stage, he called for everyone to put their hands up and clap to the bridge of the hit single ‘What Am I Here For’. Eager to have the audience participate, Breheny held his mic out to the crowd for them to sing along.

This past March, Moncrieff released his debut album, Selfcare.

“I’ve written about 600 songs,” Breheny said. “I’m finally at the point in my career where I can finally say with confidence that I made a fucking album!"

Moncrieff @ 3Olympia, Copyright Gary Ibbotson

The Selfcare tour is the first time that Moncrieff has performed these songs for a live audience. The singer-songwriter from Waterford, who's just come off tour with Mother Mother, said that his show at the 3Olympia felt like "coming home.”

When the opening chords for ‘Want You More’ started to play, his fans pulled raised gold balloons and sparkly signs that read “you're so fucking golden” in bold lettering. Centre-stage with his acoustic guitar, he was backed by all the voices in the theatre to sing that special song.

He took every chance he could to look out at his adoring fans, with an expression of pure happiness. There was a real sense of authenticity in the way he spoke to the crowd, as he expressed his gratitude for all their support in his career.

Before he continued on, Moncrieff took a moment to say to the crowd that “you’re a human being and you deserve to be loved,” but also that we as a society cannot look away from what is happening in Gaza.

"We have to stay connected and this song is for [the people of Palestine],” he declared, as he started into  ‘Young Men’, which featured on his 2023 EP Highways & Hurricanes.

Moncrieff @ 3Olympia, Copyright Gary Ibbotson

Moncrieff dedicated his next song to his brother who had passed away. ‘9 Lessons’ was sampled from a video of Breheny’s brother speaking at his friend's sixth birthday party. His voice quivered and his eyes teared up as the room went quiet to hear the sound of his older brother’s voice.

As the song came to a close the audience dried their eyes and called out “we love you Chris.” Even in this sombre moment, Moncrieff managed a smile through watery eyes.

When the applause died down, he transitioned into ‘Perfect’ from the same EP. Looking out at the crowd, Moncrieff jumped off stage and over the barrier, saying he “needed someone to sing this next part.”

Hands waved and pointed at a man in the standing area. The crowd moved to make space as he took the mic. The music faded and the spectator got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend. Taking the mic back, Breheny shouted “she said yes!”

Back on stage, Moncrieff grabbed his acoustic guitar again, saying: “I cannot think of a better time to sing this song” as he started playing ‘Linger’ by The Cranberries. The audience let out a collective gasp when they heard the tune, and watched the newly engaged couple dance together in that tender moment.

Moncrieff @ 3Olympia, Copyright Gary Ibbotson

When Moncrieff took a bow, the claps and chants for “one more tune” had begun before he had disappeared off into the wings. When the crowd switched to singing ‘olé, olé, olé’, Breheny’s drummer returned to keep the beat with the audience, which welcomed the singer back on stage.

For his final song, he balanced on the barricade, reaching out to his fans as he sang ‘Warm’. Standing above the crowd, Moncrieff took out his earpiece for the final chorus, arms outstretched – listening to his track sung back to him by hundreds of people, with a look on his face that said: “I’ve made it.”

Check out Moncrieff’s album Selfcare below.