It’s been a long time coming but Damien Rice is back with a new album later in the year and as part of that awakening from his slumber, he will play a special Whelan’s 25th Anniversary Gig next Tuesday 13th May. Yes, that’s next week.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 9am through Whelanslive.com at €25 plus fees each and are limited to 4 per person.
I also hear Mr. Rice was initially booked for Later With Jools Holland but the album took longer to finish so that may or may not be happening. Rice was touted to appear at SXSW this year but it was cancelled for the same reason.

Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005 . He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.
With all due respect, what is your source for the new album? Because you had the SXSW gig wrong. And a few of us big Damo fans have been burned before by these kind of rumours. So please pardon me for being incredulous. I truly hope you are correct though. It’s been a long 7+ years.
Industry sources. The SXSW show was due to happen but was pulled the next day after it was announced because, I was told, that the album wasn’t done yet.