Damien Dempsey / Eoin Glackin

The Luminaire, London on Mon 19th Oct 2009

When someone releases a debut called 'They Don't Teach This Sh*t in School' there is a certain statement of intent being presented. Then you follow it up with a series of albums that further define a career that doesn't shy away from raw social commentary and you realise that Damien Dempsey isn't here for a free ride. At a packed Luminaire he's here to play his only English date of the year in front of a rapturous and gushing audience. But first we have Eoin Glackin.

Eoin Glackin


Eoin is a very personable young guy who certainly has a way with a tune and performs the perfect 5-6 song warm up. He tells us that he has been in London for the past 3 months recording an album which is due imminently and gently urges us to investigate this further. He leaves us with a refrain of "Everything will be all right" and most of the audience seem to agree and sing along in support which created an atmosphere to make him feel right at home.

After a short break with smatterings of Dylan, Springsteen and Thin Lizzy playing over the PA it's time for Damien or "Damo" as the crowd overwhelmingly chant. He strides on at 9.10pm looking a bit like Michael Madson in 'Reservoir Dogs' with the physique and black outfit to match but, luckily, doesn't seem to be in the mood to cut our ears off. So, with ears intact we take in the 'Damo' experience.

He starts with just acoustic guitar accompaniment and a whole lotta between song banter. Before a note is sung he tells us he's been to KFC – "Kilburn Fried Chicken" – and then launches into the acapello 'Twang Man' which thoroughly showcases his strong vocal skills. These are definitely needed, mainly to hit a higher volume than the audience who are in no doubt that they are here for a great night out.

Damien Dempsey

He's straight into 'Seize The Day' next and the sing-along-a-Damo crowd pick up more speed and momentum than Jensen Button and Lewis Hamilton combined. There's time to draw breath afterwards and Damien regales us with tales of drinking with Sharon Shannon and Shane McGowan until 5.00am which sounds like a venture that would seriously affect any life insurance policies. He enquires as to whether there are any Damo-virgins in the place – of which I'm one – but after a rapturous night like this you feel anything but virginal.

A pleasant 'Hold Me' allows us to take a bit of a rest but only a short one. There’s mention of the last time he played at this venue and that his voice was "as rough as a badgers arse" but tonight it's well lubricated badger on the vocal front. Damien introduces the next song, 'The Rocky Road To Dublin', as a song so old that no one knows he wrote it but no one cares too too much as he gives a fulsome rendition with the now compulsory backing vocals. Lubricated badgers would be proud.

The banter between crowd and Damien continues with someone asking if it was true that U2 supported him in Dublin which elicits chuckles from all present. Damien can't put a foot wrong here and a gorgeous 'Apple Of My Eye' showcases the tender side of the big man. Conversely, the next song 'The Colony' demonstrates his strong beliefs in what's right and wrong in the world... mainly the latter. The song is a fantastic polemic which tirades against injustice which lets no country off the hook and provides us with the most passionate performance of the night and, for me, is the centrepiece of the gig. Not that the quality drops mind. Damien tells us that he sometimes gets nagged to play more happy songs so performs 'Your Pretty Smile' which got healthy airplay on the radio and is a fairly life affirming force proving that he can turn his acoustic bluster to a variety of styles.

Damien Dempsey

For the last couple of songs Damien is accompanied by bass and drums and the finale of 'Giving It Up' runs 'The Colony' close for song of the night. He reminds us to kiss the mirror every morning and the hook line of "Love yourself..." is sung with such gusto by the crowd that they should be in the running for the 2009 Gusto championship. The sing-along of this line continues as he leaves the stage... whilst he's off... and for quite a while when he returns. It's hard to spot anyone not singing and the atmosphere is as joyous as watching Man Utd lose to a 97th minute penalty.

There's an encore featuring 'Patience' and 'Masaii' and it all finishes up with a cover of the Pogues 'A Rainy Night In Soho'. Damien informs us that he recorded this with Shane McGowan for a charity album but that the toothless one had felt that he (Damien) was too drunk to sing it properly which is quite a statement from a man who probably has more whiskey than blood in his system. Still, he's sober enough for us and provides an energetic night in Kilburn without any precipitation.

If you decide to go and see Damien Dempsey – and you should – you won't be short changed. Imagine a mix of Roddy Doyle's writings, a voice reminiscent of Noel Gallagher at times together with the genial banter of a guy you know would be good company in your local pub. With this guy there's a true dialogue with the crowd rather than one way traffic from the singer. The crowd are fantastically good spirited and everyone is here for a good time and a chance to road test their collective backing vocal prowess.

For me artists these days probably need 2 things for success: the songs and a platform to showcase them. Damien Dempsey undoubtedly has the former whilst the latter is available back home in Ireland, it would be fitting if it extended further across the UK. This is one guy who certainly deserves such a podium.

Damien Dempsey

article by: Simon Soukal

photos by: Clive Hoadley

published: 21/10/2009 12:54



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