When Keith Harkin and Damian McGinty Turned “Look at Me” Into Pure Celtic Thunder Fun

There are plenty of Celtic Thunder performances built around soaring vocals, powerful harmonies and emotional Irish ballads. But “Look at Me” showed another side of the group entirely — and few performers could sell its playful spirit quite like Keith Harkin and Damian McGinty.

The two singers transformed the number into a lively, mischievous exchange, filling the stage with personality, humor and an unmistakable sense of chemistry.

Originally featured on Celtic Thunder’s 2011 album Storm, “Look at Me” is credited to Damian McGinty and Keith Harkin and runs for just over three and a half minutes.

But in performance, the song became much more than a track on an album.

A Duet With Plenty of Personality

“Look at Me” was written as a playful conversation about love between two brothers, with the younger character confidently showing off while the older one attempts to bring him back down to earth.

That setup gave Harkin and McGinty plenty of room to have fun.

McGinty leaned into the youthful confidence of his character, while Harkin responded with the knowing attitude of someone convinced he had already learned all the lessons the younger man was about to discover.

The result was less like a conventional duet and more like watching two performers genuinely enjoy playing off one another.

Their expressions became part of the performance. A glance across the stage could land like a punchline, while an exaggerated reaction from either singer was enough to send laughter through the audience.

Keith Harkin and Damian McGinty Bring the Humor

What makes the performance particularly memorable is that neither singer treats the comedy as an afterthought.

They commit completely.

Harkin’s older-brother character carries himself with a mixture of confidence and amused disbelief, while McGinty embraces the swagger and youthful energy of the younger character.

The contrast works beautifully.

One moment they are delivering the song with the precision expected from Celtic Thunder; the next, they are exchanging looks and gestures that make the entire performance feel spontaneous and wonderfully playful.

The original Storm production itself was designed around energetic ensemble numbers, theatrical storytelling and contrasting personalities, with “Look At Me” specifically described by Celtic Thunder as a comedic and youthful number.

The Chemistry Is the Real Showstopper

Vocally, both singers have their own distinctive qualities.

Harkin brings his rich, confident tone, while McGinty adds a lighter youthful energy. Rather than competing with each other, they use those differences to strengthen the characters they are portraying.

That chemistry is what makes the number work.

The performance doesn’t need an enormous vocal climax or an emotional ballad-style finale. Its strength comes from timing, personality and the way the two singers react to one another.

Every pause feels deliberate.

Every exaggerated expression adds another layer.

And every exchange makes the audience feel as though they are watching a conversation unfold rather than simply listening to two singers perform the same song.

A Different Side of Celtic Thunder

Celtic Thunder became known for dramatic arrangements and emotionally charged performances, but Storm also gave the performers space to explore humor and theatrical storytelling.

The production combined Irish musical traditions with a larger stage concept built around conflict, character and storytelling.

Within that setting, “Look at Me” provided a welcome burst of comic energy.

It was cheeky without losing its musicality, theatrical without feeling forced, and lighthearted without becoming disposable.

That balance is difficult to achieve.

And Harkin and McGinty made it look effortless.

A Performance Fans Remember

Years later, “Look at Me” remains one of those Celtic Thunder numbers that reminds fans why the group’s appeal was never limited to vocal ability alone.

The song is officially part of Storm, released in 2011, and it has continued to appear in Celtic Thunder compilations, including the 2024 Shepherd’s Pie collection.

But what makes the performance special is the feeling that comes across beyond the recording itself.

You can see Harkin and McGinty having fun with the characters. You can see the timing between them. And you can feel the audience responding to every playful moment.

It is funny without trying too hard, musical without becoming overly serious, and charming precisely because the two singers allow their personalities to shine.

“Look at Me” wasn’t simply Keith Harkin and Damian McGinty singing together. It was two performers turning a song into a little piece of theatre — full of teasing, confidence, laughter and chemistry.

And sometimes, those are the performances that stay with fans longest.