Damien Dempsey is going to be getting Up Close & Personal on his upcoming Solo Tour this Summer, Damien will be returning to some of his regular haunts and also delving deeper into his Irish Roots with new venues, Damien will be road testing some of his new material for his next album which is due to be released in early 2017, along with all the crowd pleasers. Damien will be joined by up coming Dundalk Troubadour David Keenan.
There has been much discussion about the role of the songwriter in recent times, as political turmoil, war and oppression mount up all around us. Is it time for the songwriter to start documenting and commenting and protesting once again? Like Ewan McColl did, like Billie Holiday did, like Woody Guthrie did, like Nina Simone did, like Bob Dylan did, like Chuck D did, like Christy Moore still does. Like Damien Dempsey does. Examine Damien’s 2014 compilation It’s All Good – The Best of Damien Dempsey. Within these songs you’ll hear stories of addiction, depression, suicide, imperialism and oppression but one underlying message you’ll take from every song – whether it’s in the lyrics, or the music or the depth of his voice – is hope. Perhaps that’s what makes him so enduring. Perhaps that’s why you’re maybe getting a little thirsty for a new album, somewhere down the line, to soundtrack these crazy uncertain times.
