On Friday July 8, Declan O’Rourke returns to the Hawk’s Well Theatre in what will be one of the musical highlights of the summer.
O’Rourke has achieved critical acclaim for his songwriting, singing and performance. Jon Pareles of The New York Times said there was virtuosity in his guitar playing, with “intricately contrapuntal picking and meticulous dynamics”.
A consummate and versatile performer, his songs and solo performances mesmerise. Declan plays to sold-out crowds in Ireland and, more recently, further afield. A consummate and versatile performer, his songs mesmerize regardless of whether performed solo, with a band, string quartet, full orchestra, or as a trio.
Declan’s debut album in 2004, ‘Since Kyabram’, debuted at no. 5 on the Irish Charts and scored double-platinum sales, earning him three Meteor Awards nominations including Best Male, Best Album, and Best Folk/Traditional Album, as well as landing him a recording contract with V2.
His debut album launch took place over three sold-out nights in Whelan’s, one of Dublin’s most popular music venues, broadcast live nationally on Today FM.
The debut single ‘Galileo (Someone Like You)’ has been recorded and performed by many artists, including singer Josh Groban who cut it for his album ‘Illuminations’.
O’Rourke’s second album ‘Big Bad Beautiful World’, released in 2007, also went Platinum in Ireland, debuting at no. 4. Support slots followed in the UK and Germany to the likes of Paulo Nutini, Teddy Thompson, The Cardigans, Divine Comedy and Badly Drawn Boy.
In 2010 he released his third studio album ‘Mag Pai Zai’ under his own label, Rimecoat Records. It topped the success of his first two albums, holding its own in Ireland’s Top 10 Album Charts for four consecutive weeks, and scoring ‘Album of the Week’ on BBC Radio Scotland and RTE Radio 1.
In late 2013, O’Rourke released ‘Mag Pai Zai’ in the United States, his first recording available Stateside. Distributed by the Orchard, the US version garnered critical acclaim from such national media outlets as the The Wall Street Journal, Spin, American Songwriter, Travel & Leisure, NPR’s World Café and USA Today.
Recently, Declan opened for and shared the stage with John Prine on some of his UK, Irish, and US dates, as well as performing on stage and TV with The Dubliners as part of their farewell tour after fifty years in the business. Declan has also recorded songs with English folk sensation Kate Rusby.
O’Rourke’s versatility live has resulted in successful appearances in concert halls, clubs and on television. He has played for three Irish Presidents, and the King and Queen of Sweden.
He appeared on two seasons of the popular music show Other Voices, as well as season five of BBC’s Transatlantic Session alongside Alison Krauss and Amos Lee.
Modfather Paul Weller was full of praise for Declan, describing ‘Galileo’ as “possibly the greatest song written in the last 30 years”.
And songwriting contemporary and oscar-winner Glen Hansard said of him: “Declan O’Rourke is one of the rare breed, he arrived fully formed, his songs, and delivery belie his age, and ours. He’s a timeless troubadour with a voice that breaks through all your defenses and gets to the heart of the matter. One of the true greats of our island.”
Tickets for Declan O’Rourke in concert are €20 (€18 for friends of the Hawk’s Well) with a special price of €10 for Under 18s. Book the tickets online at www.hawkswell.com or through the theatre box office on 071-9161518.
