Ciaran Gribbin
Ciaran Gribbin
Former INXS frontman using music to connect people
Ciaran Gribbin is a Grammy-nominated songwriter and performer who, in addition to working with world class artists such as Madonna, U2, Paul McCartney, Snow Patrol and Al Pacino, has toured the world as the singer of INXS. Ciaran received his Grammy nomination for co-writing Madonna’s hit ‘Celebration’.
Ciaran was born during the Northern Ireland conflict and grew up in The Troubles. As a young musician he cut his teeth doing gig after gig in the tough bars of Belfast and Derry. During this turbulent time, Ciaran witnessed the bombs and bullets of sectarian violence and the paramilitary attacks that enflamed a divided society.
Ciaran was a founding member of the popular Irish band ‘Leya’ which toured for seven years with major acts including Snow Patrol and Embrace. The band also released the critically acclaimed album ‘Watch you don’t take off’. The band was nominated for Best New Act at the Irish ‘Metor’ Music Awards.
Ciaran’s first big break came in 2010 when he received a Grammy nomination for Madonna’s worldwide hit single ‘Celebration’, which he co-wrote with the American megastar and English producer Paul Oakenfold. Ciaran soon became a regular drawcard at music festivals around the world including Brazil’s Rock in Rio. He has opened concerts for acts such as Paul McCartney, Crowded House, The Script and Gotye.
Just as his reputation as a performer kept growing, his career as a gifted composer continued to flourish. He has worked on multiple movie soundtracks, including writing all the songs for the U2- supported feature film Killing Bono.
In 2011, Ciaran became the singer of the legendary Australian band INXS. He has toured extensively with INXS throughout South America, Europe and Australasia. Ciaran’s song ‘Hey Baby Doll’ which was sung by Al Pacino in the critically acclaimed movie Danny Collins received an Oscar shortlist nomination.
Ciaran has worked as a full-time musician, singer/songwriter since 1992 and he has a BTEC National Diploma in Music from Serc Music College in Bangor, Northern Ireland.
As a singer who has stood on stage thousands of times in front of audiences from a hand full of people to tens of thousands as a singer, Ciaran truly understands the power music has to change people’s mood in an instant. This experience inspired Ciaran to start two businesses which use music to connect people in the corporate world – Rock and Roll Team Building (RNRTB) and Vibrate Your Mind (VYM).
RNRTB delivers fun interactive music programs featuring live band performance, choir, audience performances on stage and songwriting.
VYM uses sound therapy and music to deliver wellbeing sessions for workplaces and events – meditation, sound therapy, breathwork, mantra, choir and songwriting.
Keynote Offerings
‘It’s A long Way To The Top If You Wanna Rock & Roll’
An inspirational story about talent meeting hard work and resilience in overcoming the knocks and disappointments of the music business. A story that started in the tough pubs of Belfast, to living a dream of becoming a rock star in one of the world’s biggest bands INXS. (45 mins)
Sound & Music; The Future Of Well-Being
Learn what sound and music does to the body and how it is changing our approach in daily well-being and health practices. Learn how ancient technologies that are being use in modern medicine and healing. This presentation offers simple exercises with breath and humming that when used regularly can lower stress and anxiety, help prevent burnout & reset the nervous system. (45 mins)
‘Creativity and Artificial Intelligence’
With the advancement of AI, humanity is facing much change. The secret to survival and thriving in this new world is our adaptability and creativity. The music industry has experienced much disruption over the past 30 years. From ‘Napster’ destroying the business model to streaming services becoming the new normal. The creatives have always embraced new tech and used it not only to survive but thrive in the modern world. Now more than ever we need to embrace this AI tech and navigate a way to help humanity. This presentation involves examples of live interaction with AI. (45 mins)
Stories from the road. With Paul Beard aka ‘Beardy’
A unique presentation that includes a song with every story from the road!
A duo featuring Grammy nominated songwriter and former singer of INXS Ciaran Gribbin & Robbie William’s Musical Director & keys player Mr Paul Beard.
This is an up close and personal music infused conversation about their time on the road touring, writing and recording with some of the biggest names in music and the movies. (60 mins)
Team Building with Music
Ciaran is the co-founder and creative director of award-winning team building company Rock & Roll Team Building. Bringing teams together in creative collaboration using the universal language of music.
Well-being programs for events and the workplace
Ciaran is the co-founder and creative director of well-being company ‘Vibrate Your Mind’. Delivering unique well-being programs for events and the workplace based in sound healing and music therapy technics.
Entertainment Offerings
Ciaran performs Solo, Duo or with a full live band. Classic covers including the hits of INXS. (90 mins) (setlist attached in separate doc)
‘Parliament House’ are a high energy Electronic Dance music act featuring DJ Dave Goode (The Potbelleeze) and Paula Baxter (Fat Boy Slim) (1 hour)
Ireland Rocks
Ireland Rocks is a high energy band that features the instruments like fiddle accordion and electric guitars. The setlist takes you on a journey through the history of Irish music from traditional jigs and reels and Irish pub anthems to modern pop/rock classics.