Arts Festival hero John Grant set for return visit in January
His fellow Americans would call it stepping up to the plate. When Sinéad O’Connor cancelled her Arts Festival show this summer, John Grant was elevated from opening act to headliner – and he delivered a stellar set. The John Grant show with support from Sharon Shannon’s Big Band was up there with the very best gigs in the Big Top in recent years.
Having charmed Galway in July, John Grant will return West on Saturday, January 30, for a show at Salthill’s Seapoint Ballroom.
Expect to hear plenty of songs from his latest long player, Grey Tickles, Black Pressure, which has just been released. This is Grant’s third solo album, and it has been met with rave reviews, with Today FM’s Paul McLoone giving it lots airtime.
John Grant is a songwriter whose ear for a hook and killer chorus would impress the likes of Burt Bacharach. But he goes for a more modern sound, with electro and synth flourishes. It’s expansive and brooding music and makes an ideal headphone-listening experience.
Grant’s lyrical excellence includes a fine line in black humour. Take this lyric from his first album: “Baby, you’re where dreams go to die/I regret the day your lovely carcass caught my eye.” This is from a song that’s eminently singable and uplifiting, as much of Grant’s work is. This gig is essential stuff
Tickets are on sale now from roisindubh.net, priced €30/€28 members.