Rob Halligan is a United Kingdom-based singer-songwriter born in 1969. He is associated with acoustic music and Christian themes, and his writing often takes in faith, politics, social issues and personal loss.

Career

Halligan begins playing the local pub circuit in the late 1990s with his band Goldsmiths, who perform an indie-pop-rock style. The group releases IknowYouknow in 1999, and the record draws favourable reviews. The band also plays venues including the Sanctuary in Milton Keynes and the Coventry Coliseum.

His songs change direction after the death of his father in the 9/11 attacks, an event that becomes a major influence on his later writing. Halligan develops a reputation for direct live performance and for writing from an alternative perspective.

Solo releases

Halligan’s first solo project is Dancing With Seagulls. It is produced by Simon Goodall, features Dan Wheeler on guitar and Paul Evans on drums, and receives praise from folk and rock press. The album also gets airplay on BBC TV, BBC Radio 2 and various local radio and television stations.

In 2009 he releases Christians Brother, his fourth CD. It is recorded with Graeme Duffin and produced by Sandy Jones, both of Wet Wet Wet, and includes guest appearances from Yvonne Lyon, Gareth Davies-Jones and Dave Lyon.

Live work

Halligan plays at acoustic venues and festivals across the UK, including the MAC in Birmingham, Norwich Arts Centre and The Lot in Edinburgh. He twice headlines the Godiva Festival and also appears at the Acoustic Festival of Britain.

Other work

He also sings with After The Fire, the 1980s hit-making group.