Earlier this year, the 2018 World Meeting of Families gathered in Dublin, Ireland, for a week of family-themed religious discussion, concerts, and a Mass celebrated by the pontiff himself. The event drew widely popular artists like Andrea Bocelli and the Riverdance troupe, alongside Daniel O’Donnell, Dana Masters, and, to his surprise, Nathan Carter.
Nathan shared his astonishment at being called to perform at the World Meeting of Families with The Sunday Post:
“It was amazing when I got the call asking if I would like to sing for [Pope Francis],” Nathan told iN10. “I just said that it would be a massive honor and of course I would do it.”
Of all the venues he’s played and all the countries he’s toured, returning to his native Ireland to perform for the pope is one he will always remember. He recounted to the Sunday Post:
“I sang with a deaf choir, who had sign language for the song which was a cover of REM’s ‘Everybody Hurts.’ As well as the tens of thousands in the stadium, it went out worldwide on TV. “It was great fun but before I went on I was so nervous I was actually shaking. “I didn’t get a chance to meet the Pope – I’m sure he had a lot more important people to see than me afterwards – but I did get to meet Andrea Bocelli, who I’m a big fan of. It’s definitely the biggest gig I’ve ever done and I’m very proud to have been involved.”
Nathan seemed humbled by the invitation to such a prestigious event, but it was far from outside his comfort zone. For the last several years Nathan has been living on a perpetual tour. While some artists tour to promote a new album, Nathan spends his life on the road for the sheer love of performing.
Carter explained that he only takes about five weeks off a year; otherwise he is traveling across the UK and most of Europe, expanding his fan base.
“I just think of it as a neverending tour. I know it’s not the norm, that’s for sure,” He said. “You’re either made for it or you’re not. You either want to be a home-bird or you’re happy being on the road like me. I love this life.”
His popularity has grown, especially in Scotland. He told the Sunday Post that just 5 years ago he was playing 200-seat venues and struggling to fill them. Now he can sell out the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall for multiple nights. Sometimes he even notices the same faces in the crowd as the night before.
“The only thing is that it does mean we have to change up the show as I don’t want them just seeing exactly the same thing.” Carter said.
Nathan has been active as a musician since he was just 12 years old, in 2002. He has put out 10 studio albums and has recently passed Beyonce on the Irish music charts. His voice and career have been compared to the legendary Irish singer Daniel O’Donnell.
And today we celebrate...