The Chris Rea Experience

The all-star band is made up of renowned musicians: Eoghan O'Neill, who played on most of Chris Rea’s major hits and toured the world with him in the ’80s; Liam Bradley, known for collaborations with Van Morrison, Ronan Keating, and The Blue Nile; John McCullough, who has worked with The Waterboys; and guitarist Dan Millar. Together, they deliver an evening full of recognition, musical excellence, and pure experience — a warm and respectful tribute to one of the most distinctive voices in British rock history.

Paul Casey’s musical path is closely intertwined with Chris Rea’s. As a child, he discovered Rea’s music through his father — a moment that shaped his future. In 1993, he met his idol backstage in Belfast, where Rea encouraged him to persevere. Five years later, a demo led to a close collaboration: Chris wrote and produced a full album for Paul. After that, they worked together intensively. Paul accompanied Chris on international promotional tours, opened for him for many years, became the permanent rhythm guitarist in his live band, and served as a trusted studio collaborator and chief engineer on major projects, including The Santo Spirito Blues. Even after Chris stopped touring due to health issues, their creative bond continued. In 2024, he wrote the song Peace Bridge for Paul and his hometown of Derry. With Rea’s blessing, Paul assembled an All-Star band at the end of 2024 for an exclusive evening of Rea’s repertoire at the Derry Jazz Festival — an event that received overwhelming acclaim.