David Ho chats with Gavin Holligan, Café Carlye Hong Kong’s latest artist in residence

South Londoner Gavin Holligan is in town for his Café Carlyle Hong Kong debut. Here as the artist in residence from now to December 6, 2025, he has come quite a long way.

A young Holligan initially had his heart set on soccer. After signing with West Ham FC and playing against Liverpool, he was sidelined by a multitude of injuries. But the striker switched his focus to singing and found his stride. He played keyboard on blue eyed soul singer Duffy’s US tour, with appearances on David Letterman and Jay Leno. He also performed alongside #legends like Stevie Wonder and Gloria Gaynor.

The BRIT School of performing arts graduate has grown from being a self-taught pianist to being a session musician. He then moved in to composing for others and finally started releasing his own material in 2018. With his natural piano talents and rich vocals, Holligan is a souful presence to be reckoned with. He speaks to #legend ahead of his Hong Kong debut.

For those who may not be familiar, how would you describe the Gavin Holligan experience? What can they expect from your Café Carlyle residency?

I’m honoured to have been asked for a residency at Café Carlyle Hong Kong, everyone is familiar with the original, an icon of live music in New York City and beyond, so to perform at Café Carlyle Hong Kong is a highlight of my journey to date. In a nutshell, an evening at Café Carlyle with Gavin Holligan is set to be a real intimate and soul stirring evening of beautifully sung classic songs, outstanding musicians, and great vibes!

I understand you’ve had to pivot your dreams from soccer to music. How did you land on music as your path?

Music was always a dream of mine, (as well as football), I was always planning on doing both, and naturally football needed to be the first pursuit, which I did and learned so much from! Meanwhile, music was always a huge part of my life, and it was inevitable that after my career in football, I would pursue my other passion in music. It was only a question of ‘when’, not ‘if.’

Were there any unique challenges you faced as a self-taught musician? Sometimes I suffered/struggled with not being able to read music too well, but I have somehow found my way around not having fully developed that aspect of my craft.

Also see: Il Divo’s Steven LaBrie talks music, touring and being the newest member

I see on your Instagram that you list your music as “a distinctive blend of soul, folk & jazz”. What is it about those genres that spoke to you?

Instinctively, soul is what I naturally sing vocally, ‘folk like’ story telling is what I write lyrically, and the jazz aspect is what I love playing musically/harmonically.

On that note, who are your musical influences, both past and current?

I have so many key influences, but a few notable figures would include some of the records I grew up listening to, including the likes of Stevie Wonder, George Benson, Earth Wind & Fire, Lionel Richie and Shirley Ceaser, to name a few. There were also the likes of Handle & Vivaldi at home, as well as Michael Jackson Paul Simon and Bob Marley, so a real melting pot of musical talent!

As a young teen I was absorbing a wide range of styles and artists, including RnB by Usher and D’Angelo, as well as old jazz funk records, Roy Ayers, The Crusaders, I also dabbled in tasteful classic hip hop, namely Busta Rhymes and Tribe Call Quest, I loved gospel artists such as Kim Burrell, The Winans and Hezekiah Walker, as well as Neo Soul (Jill Scott & Maxwell) Dance classics (Masters At Work & Armand Van Helden). Later came Lauren Hill, Donny Hathaway, Kirk Whalum and a whole host of other greats. The list is enormous, so I won’t bore you. In recent years I would note the likes of Gregory Porter, Leon Bridges and PJ Morton.

You’ve worked with a list of music superstars, like Stevie Wonder, Gloria Gaynor, and Duffy. Please share with us your favourite memories with each?

My favorite memory would have to be on stage singing at Hyde Park on a warm summer evening in June with Stevie Wonder, along with close friends of mine, a sea full of people singing along to some of my favourite songs by my favourite singer/songwriter, while the sun was slowly setting! Pure bliss! I also recall fond moments of working with Duffy, doing a live performance on Jay Leno, we were performing her big hit Mercy! It was the first time I have ever been hired to play keyboards and sing background vocals. The buzz of the pressure once the curtain went back was unreal!

You released your last album Some of The Parts a year ago. Run us through what that record is about and what it means to you?

Some Of The Parts is in many ways a deeper introduction to me as a person and an artist. It was originally only released as a calling card to help new listeners come across my work, and to build upon previous single releases. It has been so well received, and I wasn’t expecting the excessively favourable response! Some of my favourite songs have not yet been heard, so I’m excited to build future on a strong start!

You’ve teased a new record in the works. Are you able to tell us more and how it differs from your previous record

Yes, so my previous album was quite spontaneous and reactive, based on the circumstances I found myself in at the time. I’m still extremely proud of it, but it wasn’t ever meant to be my first official release. The next body of work will be far more ‘measured’, more considered and more deliberate than my previous release. I expect it to be a development on the previous LP, with both similar and complimentary lyrical topics.

Aside from your residency, what are you looking forward to doing during your time in Hong Kong?

I really want to soak up as much of the culture as I can, familiarise myself with Carlyle & Co., as I’ve heard so many great things, as well as meet new and interesting people. It will be my first time in Hong Kong, so I look forward to the experiences ahead!

After Hong Kong, what’s next for you?

I will return to London and take an extended break with the hopes of finish of my next album for spring 2026. I also have a few records I am currently working on, with some other amazing artists! I will probably need to get those in shape asap and ready for the world to hear, after all, Great music does not get heard on private hard drives

Also see: Il Divo’s Steven LaBrie talks music, touring and being the newest member