Rob Halligan

Story

Rob Halligan is an award winning, UK based singer-songwriter. He has released 10 studio albums and has performed his powerful brand of acoustic folk-rock across the world, gaining a loyal fanbase and a reputation as an honest and passionate performer. Originally from the south coast, Halligan settled in the Midlands and began playing the local music circuit. In 2004 he set out on a full time musical journey, using his songs to tell the stories of real life. “Songwriting Gold” – Maverick Magazine “One of the UK’s finest troubadours” – Crossrhythms “This is songwriting craftsmanship at it’s best” – RnR Magazine His musical influences include Bruce Springsteen, Billy Bragg, Dougie McLean and Bob Dylan, resulting in a unique style and captivating performance. His music has been heard on national TV and radio and he has performed live on BBC Radio2, Channel 4 and BBC1 TV. Halligan has worked with various artists including Graeme Duffin (Wet Wet Wet), After The Fire, The Young ‘Uns, Yvonne Lyon, Ceili Rain, Pete Banks and Gareth Davies-Jones

Profile

Instruments

Genres

Influences

Equipment

Languages

What is music to you? What does it give you?

Music has the power to connect people, to draw people together like nothing else. And by doing that music changes the wold we live in, it has the power to truly make a difference.

What is your music dream?

To make a difference.

If you could change the world - what would you start with?

Myself - change happens by example. If I can love more, be more generous, more patient, that has an impact on those around me and so change happens.

Which is the most memorable song from your childhood?

We Are The Champions by Queen

Who are your favorite musical artists or bands?

Queen, Bruce Springsteen, John Mayer, Dougie MacLean, Rich Mullins

What inspires you to make music?

Life, stories and creativity, whether that's in nature or other peoples work.

What is the message you want to send with your music?

Love is bigger.

How do you feel when you perform in front of an audience?

Connected. Playing live is like a drug, when you don't do it it starts to eat away at you. You're missing something that you're meant to be. The audience are family, they're part of what you're doing and you're touching lives, joining each other on a journey together.

How do you see the musicians’ reality nowadays? What could be improved?

Music is so incredibly valuable but it gets cheapened by streaming services, big media and big record companies. There's a growing expectation that we get our entertainment for free. Major companies need to work with grass roots to help rediscover the value in what artists have to give.

What do you think of Drooble?

Early days. I'm not sure yet. Can I come back to you?

What frustrates you most as a musician?

The lack of support for grass roots music from the industry.

Do you support your local scene as a fan? How?

Yes. I network and sometimes collaborate with local artists, when shows are happening I try and go along and I check out live streamed gigs. I also promote and organise events.

What qualities should a musician nowadays have in order to get their music heard by a larger audience?

You need something different and something that is genuinely you. When there's a tonne of people playing a guitar and writing songs, what makes you special. Engage with your audience, don't expect favours, work at it.

Share some awesome artists that we’ve never heard of.

Ashton Lane, Yvonne Lyone, Stylusboy, Candid, Danny Ansell, Rosetta Fire