Brian Kennedy says performing for Bill Clinton in Belfast was “unforgettable” | CPT PPP Coverage

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As we approach the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, Belfast singer Brian Kennedy reflects on his role in Bill Clinton‘s historic visit to NI.

The acclaimed West Belfast talent joined Van Morrison and American musician Curtis Stigers on stage at Belfast City Hall in November 1995 to mark Clinton’s first visit to the country.

A quarter of a century on from one of the most important performances of his life, Brian and Curtis are set to reunite as Stigers headlines the Friends Goodwill Festival in Larne this summer.

Read more: Liam Neeson tells Northern Ireland politicians to ‘get back to work’

Looking back to that monumental gig, Brian told Belfast Live about how he felt to be a part of such an important part of NI history.

It was unforgettable – to stand there as someone who was formerly a busker there, standing in the wind and the rain at 17-year-old, I could have never guessed that fast forward into the future I would perform for the 90,000 people estimated to be physically there.

The idea that I’d be with Van Morrison from East Belfast and I’m from the West, singing things like ‘there is no religion here today’, I don’t think I really understood the scale of it until I saw it on the TV myself.

Since having seen a bit of the footage, to be part of the soundtrack of the history of this part of our island I just feel so proud.

Joking about where the last 25 years have gone, Brian said it was “just mindblowing” to consider the number of people who tuned in to watch their performance and the impact the visit had on bringing the world’s media to Northern Ireland.

He is excited to be back on stage with Curtis Stigers at the Co Antrim festival on May 20 as the two have become good friends since their City Hall performance.

“I am so excited to be returning to Larne because these are areas that people don’t really play in as often so the fact there is a festival is amazing – the people of Larne gave me an incredible welcome the last time I was there.

“Someone like Curtis Stigers who is a global star and I have collaborated with before, to share the stage with him is great,” he explained.

Brian continued: “25 years on, obviously we are not completely where we want to be but we are so much further away from where we were.

“There’s a lovely phrase that ‘Belfast doesn’t know itself these days’.

“It tells the world that Belfast is an incredible place to come from – look where we are at in terms of the queer community, the trans community and in terms of people just integrating into each other’s lives.”

Reflecting on the ‘new Northern Ireland’ of 2023, Brian stressed there is a lot more to be positive about as we continue to grow past our troubled history.

“We are reminding people that while there may be a good bit to go yet, look at how far we have come – look at what the arts are doing, look at what our people our doing.”

If you would like tickets for the Friends Goodwill Music Festival see here or for more information, see here

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