Ciaran Gribbin is a Grammy nominated songwriter and performer who, in addition to working with word class artists such as Madonna, U2, Paul McCartney, Snow Patrol and Al Pacino, has toured the world as the singer of INXS. Ciaran was born in war-torn Northern Ireland growing up in ‘The Troubles’.
Current work
Ciaran is the founder of Rock and Roll Team Building, a business developed to provide a creative environment for corporate companies to engage, inspire and connect people through the power of music. Rock and Roll Team Building currently operates in Australia, New Zealand and the USA. As a sought after and experienced corporate keynote speaker, Ciaran’s story is a fascinating multi layered tale about never giving up on a childhood dream.
It’s an inspirational story about talent meeting hard work and overcoming the knocks and disappointments to live a dream. A unique story of how patience, persistence and determination made that dream becoming a reality.
Previous experience
Music: As a young musician he cut his teeth doing gig after gig in the tough bars of Belfast and Derry. During this turbulent time in a divided society, Ciaran witnessed and experienced the bombs and bullets of sectarian abuse and paramilitary attacks. 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 Madonna and Oakenfold.
Soundtracks: Since then, in addition to performing at many music festivals including Brazil’s ‘Rock in Rio’, Ciaran has opened shows for Paul McCartney, Crowded House, The Script and Gotye. Ciaran has worked extensively as a songwriter for acts such as Groove Armada and Dead Mau5. He has also worked on multiple movie soundtracks including writing all of the original songs for the U2 supported movie ‘Killing Bono’. This movie was released through Paramount Pictures with a Sony Music soundtrack album.
INXS: In 2011 Ciaran became the singer of the legendary Australian band INXS. He has toured extensively with INXS throughout South America, Europe and Australasia. 2015 ended with an Oscar shortlist nomination for Ciaran’s song 'Hey Baby Doll' which was sung by Al Pacino in the critically acclaimed movie 'Danny Collins'.