Rubyworks/Welcome To The New World to rush release of Tolü Makay stunning cover of The Saw Doctors ‘N17’

Offaly singer Tolü Makay teamed up with the RTÉ concert orchestra for a spell-binding cover of the hugely popular Saw Doctors classic N17, which debuted on national TV on New Year’s Eve.

The video, which includes clips of Irish people sending messages to their loved ones back home, has captured the hearts of the nation, already clocking up over 80,000 views on Youtube.

As a nod to the Irish around the world who couldn’t make it home this Christmas, Tolü’s version of ‘N17’ with The RTÉ Concert Orchestra has put together with the blessing of Galway legends The Saw Doctors.

Tolü says:

“Performing for the New Year’s Show was incredible. I had no inkling of what to expect.  Although I wasn’t performing in the same space with the concert orchestra because of restrictions (hopefully one day I do sing with them in person), the production team from Kite Productions, Susan Scannell, the makeup dept, Damien Chennells, and everyone involved made it such a heart-warming experience. I don’t even have words really. Learning N17 by the Saw Doctors and singing the lyrics to the arrangement Gavin Murphy created really resonated with me. I felt every word I sang because it rang true! I went to university in Galway. I was taught in prefabs! And not seeing my family for a whole year was tough, and I’m sure the whole world understood what that felt like over this holiday season. 

No less than about 30 minutes after the show went live the tags on social media started going crazy. It wasn’t till the following day that I was absolutely awestruck and so shocked with the responses! And seeing that the Saw Doctors loved the rendition gladdened my heart! I was not expecting the wonderful reviews! So many people shared stories with me and how long they’ve been away from family. I cried my eyes out on the first of January with gratitude.  

I’m beyond grateful to have been able to bring people into the new year and for it to be significant enough that it resonated with those living far from Ireland.”  

Tolü plays her first headline show “Tolü Makay – A Night to Be Reborn” Friday 28th May 2021 @ 8:00 pm at The Grand Social, Dublin, presented by MCD. The first sold out, due to phenomenal demand, a second date has been added for 4th June. Tickets for the second date (€15) go on sale 13th January via Ticketmaster.