Imelda May to perform at IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2024

We are delighted to announce this year’s musical headline act for the IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards is Imelda May.

The Dublin-born star is one of Ireland’s most acclaimed musicians, with a style ranging from rockabilly revival and jazz to pop-rock and soul, as well as a gifted poet, presenter and actor.

On the evening of May 10^th, Imelda will give a highly anticipated special performance to over 920 guests at the annual awards, which recognise Ireland’s leading women in business. “I am thrilled to have Dublin-born Imelda May perform at the upcoming awards,” said Ciara Cosgrove, Director of Events & Branded Partnerships at IMAGE Media. “Imelda is one of Ireland’s most celebrated female artists who has performed alongside legendary artists such as U2, Tom Jones, Noel Gallagher and Van Morrison. As well as selling millions of records worldwide, Imelda is also a women’s rights activist and poet. Her talent and energy will be sure to set the room alight on the night.”

Acclaimed talent

Imelda was born and raised in The Liberties in Dublin and began her musical career at the age of 16, performing with local bands and musicians, touring the Dublin club circuit and occasionally being barred from her own shows at Dublin’s Bruxelles nightclub for being underage.

In 2002, she formed her own band and released her debut studio album, No Turning Back. Numerous albums and hit singles followed, with her style, energy and talent attracting loyal audiences across the world.

Imelda had her own music TV show, The Imelda May Show, showcasing the best of Irish and international talent. When Sinead O’Connor appeared on the show, the two women performed a duet that was, in Imelda’s words, “one of the most heartfelt duets I’ve ever sung”.

Her continued stylistic reinvention has seen her showcase her talent across a number of musical genres and she continues to allow her creativity and talent to lead her in new and exciting directions as a poet and actor. She released her highly acclaimed debut poetry EP, Slip of the Tongue, in 2020 and continues to shine on screen, hosting the new Sky documentary which explores the legacy of the “forgotten Yeats sisters”  Lily and Lolly.

More adventures

In an interview with Tony Clayton-Lea for IMAGE Magazine, the mother-of-one said: “As an artist, I feel I’m growing because the more you live, the more adventures you have, and the more of those you have, the more you have to write about. I’m happy to give myself to it more and just to go with it.”

Using her voice and platform to advocate for women’s rights nationally and internationally, Imelda was part of the Irish collective of female singers and musicians, Irish Women in Harmony, that released a version of Dreams in aid of SafeIreland, which was dealing with the high levels of domestic abuse being reported during months of Covid-19 lockdowns.

The awards are sponsored by Key Capital, DS Automobiles, Glenveagh, Kuehne + Nagel, Pinergy, Eversheds Sutherland, Ornua and Paul Sheeran, and in association with Marks & Spencer, Movement, Enterprise Ireland and istil 38.

Imelda May photographed for IMAGE Magazine, Summer 2021 issue by photographer Josh Shinner