Liam Forde: The Opening Melody in The Fifth’s Music Series
Music—the universal language—has the power to evoke memories, stir emotions, and even transform spaces. This July, The Fifth Avenue Hotel debuted its live music series, a sparkling new fixture of its cultural programming endeavor, with none other than the multi-talented artist Liam Forde. Held in the hotel’s elegant Conservatory, Forde’s performance embodied the sophisticated and playful spirit of The Fifth, perfectly setting the tone for future gatherings.
An Artist at Heart
Described by NPR as “one of the most delightful and daringly creative cabaret artists of his generation,” Liam Forde has a unique presence that brings a magical blend of whimsy, depth, and theatricality to the New York cabaret scene. Whether performing at Jazz at Lincoln Center or an intimate venue, he creates an atmosphere that is nostalgic, vibrant, and refreshingly innovative.
Growing up in Connecticut, Forde’s parents recognized his musical potential early on and fostered his talents with great care. “They got me a piano when I was six and a flute when I was nine. My Irish father was excited to think I would be the next James Galway. I dropped the idea of playing flute in an orchestra when I got my first laugh onstage,” Forde recalls. A neighbor who introduced him to everything from Brahms to Broadway also significantly influenced his love for the arts.
These early experiences planted the seeds for his love of music and performance. “It didn’t feel like a decision,” Forde said about his career. “I just knew in my bones that I was an artist and that this was what I was going to do. I was going to be creating, and I’m proud to have set up a life where I can.”
Since graduating from the Boston Conservatory, Forde has earned impressive accolades as a singer-songwriter and actor, including the Nightlife Award for Outstanding Male Vocalist and the Helen Hayes Award for Best Leading Actor. Critics at Talkin’ Broadway even see him as “morphing into this century’s version of Noel Coward or Cole Porter.” In 2022, Forde released his debut album Great to Be Here, which blends cosmopolitan pop with the romance of The Great American Songbook. He is now working on a second album and writing a new musical for the stage, which narrates the story of a musician who makes a hotel his home.
Forde, a young artist with an old soul, naturally gravitates toward timeless music. “I just felt the way that that music felt,” he explains. “More modern music often doesn’t resonate with me the same way.” Cherishing the “heart-swelling” feel and “tender ache” of these classic melodies, he finds poetic depth and emotional richness in them.
This passion for vintage sounds is a core part of his artistic identity, shaping his song choices and bridging the gap between the past and present. Forde’s talent for infusing these timeless songs with fresh emotion and contemporary relevance is what makes him stand out in today’s music scene.
A Memorable Start
Forde’s evening at The Fifth was not just another performance for him but a homecoming of sorts. As the light of the summer sun set through The Conservatory’s expansive skylight, the flickering glow of hundreds of candles set the stage for what Forde described as a night “wrapped in a sense of occasion”—a sentiment that he considers quintessentially New York: grand and vibrant, yet intimately familiar.
When Joseph Vatter, The Fifth’s Director of Cultural Programming, sought an artist to capture the hotel’s spirit at the launch of its live music series, Forde was the obvious choice. His ability to blend the past and present, coupled with his genuine spirit, mirrored the hotel’s own character. “He was the only person I thought to ask to premiere this series,” Vatter shared. “To know Liam is to know that he perfectly personifies the ethos of The Fifth—whimsical and witty, nostalgic yet fresh, committed to excellence without taking yourself too seriously.”
Reflecting on his approach to performance (and life), Forde shared, “When you’re a host, you have to be honest because no one responds to phoniness.” This philosophy resonated throughout the evening, making every note and interaction feel truly heartfelt. With an intimate crowd of 50 New Yorkers and hotel guests, including notable members of the Broadway community, Forde opened the evening with Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer’s Charade, perfectly capturing the hotel’s glamor and casting a spell over the audience. He was joined by a talented ensemble of musicians—Chris “Bones” Bonner (bass), David Cinquegrana (guitar), and Corey Rawls (drums)—adding a rich, full sound to his piano and flute performances. “The Conservatory felt like the Riviera in the 30s,” Forde said. “I wanted the opening song to have a sexy but romantic feeling.”
As the night went on, each song Forde chose told its own story, evoking a sense of place and time that echoed the storied walls of The Fifth Avenue Hotel. The evening drew to a close with George Gershwin’s Things Are Looking Up. This sentimental choice left everyone lingering a little longer, basking in the shared nostalgia and the elegance of the night. Between sets and during a reception following the performance, the audience had the opportunity to get to know Forde, creating a deeper sense of community—a core element of the mission of our cultural programming efforts.
Great to Be There
Liam Forde’s launch of The Fifth Avenue Hotel’s music series was a night of connection, beautifully illustrating how the right music, in the right setting, can turn a simple evening into a memorable experience. Forde’s commitment to authenticity and his intuitive understanding of his role as both artist and host ensured that the series began on a high note that was not just heard but deeply felt, setting the standard for many more such evenings at this iconic venue.
As one guest commented the following day, “Why we live in our wonderful city is for evenings such as last night. A triumph and a balm, prescription not over the counter.”
