Yann Tiersen gave the live premiere of his album Rathlin from a Distance | The Liquid Hour, solo on piano and electronics, in the Barbican Hall.
Yann Tiersen, the Breton musician known for the Amélie soundtrack, premiered his new album live at the Barbican Centre on Saturday 19 April 2025. He played Rathlin from a Distance | The Liquid Hour in the Barbican Hall.
Born in Brest in 1970, he learned piano at four and violin at six. At 13 he broke his violin, bought an electric guitar and formed a rock band.
His third album, Le Phare, made his name in France in 1998. He recorded it in seclusion on the island of Ushant, at the north-western tip of France.
Released on Mute that month, the album has two parts: introspective piano, then electronic synthesis and rhythm. He played it alone on piano and electronics, from 20:20 to 22:20.
He has turned away from large-scale touring, travelling by van and by sailboat to play in remote places and small rooms.
Dutch ambient artist Andert Tysma opened the show.