Nathan Carter on performing in prison, dealing with controversy and dreams of playing Croke Park

Fans of Nathan Carter might have been surprised to see the Liverpool singer perform behind bars, but the unusual concert was actually all down to a fan. A man who had been in prison contacted Nathan, telling him he was inspired by his incredible music. This spurred Nathan on to organise a concert behind bars.

On the day of the concert, the singer was “committed” into custody. The sentence handed down to the country singer included a condition that he perform for “one night only” at an exclusive charity fundraising event.

The church located inside the walls of the Connacht prison provided a remarkable venue for Nathan to take to the stage.

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Speaking at the prison earlier this summer, Nathan told RSVP Country: “A good few years ago a guy reached out and said that he was inspired by my music. I didn’t realise he had been in prison. He said that my music really helped him.”

That communication between Nathan and the prisoner was one of the reasons he agreed to do this one off event behind bars.

“It is, and plus the fact that I had never been in a prison before. I thought it would be a bit unusual to do a gig here,” Nathan says.

“Of course, there are three charities involved. Raising money for them is a bonus. I will be channelling my inner Johnny Cash.”

Nathan’s performance in Castlerea echoes Johnny Cash’s famous prison gigs in America during the height of his fame.

“I have watched all the films about him. I will never be Johnny Cash though. I think he is an absolute legend. I don’t normally play Johnny Cash songs, but I played one in the prison.

“I did Folsom Prison Blues, thankfully the crowd knew the words because I only know one verse. I was relying on them to help me.”

However, this concert was for staff, the local community and invited guests, so the 391 inmates didn’t get to see it live.

Ahead of the concert, Nathan thought he would be playing for the prisoners and the fact they weren’t on the guest list sparked huge debate on RTÉ Radio 1’s Liveline with Joe Duffy and Irish singer CMAT also weighed in on the subject.

He says: “That’s what I thought it was going to be originally, but it was an invite-only event. There were over 300 people there.

“The [prisoners] got to watch it the following night, the show was recorded on the night. They weren’t left out. I didn’t really know if the prisoners were going to be here or not. I was just asked if I would play.”

Nathan added that Castlerea Prison was nothing like what he expected.

“It is a lot different to what I imagined. I expected big high walls and barbed wire everywhere, but the grounds are kept lovely.

“The prison has some of the nicest gardens I have ever seen. The prisoners all take pride in the prison.

“They are making things every day and planting flowers. It is a lot prettier than I imagined it would be.”

But his time behind bars is a one off and he won’t be like Johnny Cash touring around prisons.

He says: “Personally, I am trying new things this year. I’m playing gigs in places that I’ve never played before. I’ve been on the road for 14 years and I want to try new things to challenge myself.

“I changed management at the end of last year and I wanted to give myself more challenges. Gigs wise, we played in the Faroe Islands and Tiree, an island off the coast of Scotland recently. But this has been the most random venue I’ve done.”

Governor of Castlerea Prison, Theresa Beirne, said the event was about giving back to staff and the local community. The profit raised from the exclusive event will be directed towards three charities. The Paediatric Ward in Sligo General Hospital will benefit from new baby monitors and equipment, while Roscommon Youth Services will use the proceeds to support a bursary program for youths aged 10 to 24. Additionally, Mayo Roscommon Hospice will receive contributions towards the Sensory and Healing Garden in the newly developed Roscommon Hospice.

“Prison staff raise lots of money for charity. We approached Nathan to see if he would be interested,” she says.

She adds: “The focus really is on the charitable organisations and the prison staff. We feel very strongly about honouring those charities.”

Nathan’s music is often heard around the prison. “Over the last few weeks while getting ready for the collaboration with Nathan I’ve heard Wagon Wheel. We often hear Wagon Wheel throughout the accommodation blocks. It is nice to hear it because it is uplifting, it boosts morale and it builds the community.”

Where’s next for Nathan? “I’ve played in America and Australia and I’m doing Newfoundland. I’ve never played in Japan or China, they would be places I would like to do.”

Following the success of Taylor Swift’s three sold out gigs in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium during the summer, Nathan says he would love the chance to play in a venue like that.

“I was meant to play Croke Park before Garth Brooks in 2014, but his gigs got cancelled. I didn’t get to play in a stadium as a result.

“I would love to do it. I would love to be able to do a stadium tour, if I got a big hit single or something. It would be great.”

Read the full interview and see all the fabulous pictures in this issue of RSVP Country – on shelves now

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