Cillian Murphy Performs Surprise DJ Set At Irish Festival
The Cork-based Irish festival blends music, art, and literature.
CILLIAN MURPHY: Courtesy of Getty Images
Academy Award-winning actor Cillian Murphy made a surprise guest DJ set appearance at the Sounds From a Safe Harbour Festival in Cork, Ireland, at The Pav on Saturday, September 13.
The Oppenheimer star isn’t new to the music scene. Just recently, his former guitar teacher Mark O’Leary opened up about Murphy’s humble beginnings with music, stating that he played in a teenage band with a sound reminiscent of Fontaines D.C. and U2.
Years later, in his late teens and early twenties, Murphy would form The Sons of Mr. Green Genes, where he was the vocalist and guitarist, while his brother Páidi played keyboards. The duo, both Beatles fans, named their group after a Frank Zappa song.
The band was known for its wacky lyrics and sprawling guitar solos. At one point, Acid Jazz Records offered them a five-album deal, but they turned it down because Páidi was still in school, Cillian was pursuing acting, and the deal would have required Murphy to give away the rights to his compositions for little compensation.
“I’m very glad in retrospect that we didn’t sign, because you kind of sign away your life to a label and all of your music,” Murphy reflected in an interview with the Evening Herald.
Ahead of his DJ set, he attended the premiere of his upcoming Netflix drama Steve. Murphy will appear next in the highly anticipated Peaky Blinders spin-off film The Immortal Man.
Launched in 2015, the biennial Sounds From a Safe Harbour Festival blends music, art, and literature across Cork. It was founded by Mary Hickson, former CEO of Cork Opera House. For this year’s edition, the festival is co-curated by Murphy, The National’s Bryce Dessner, author Max Porter, and folklorist Billy MagFhloinn.
