damien rice tour 2023 australia

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Damien Rice Australia 2023

Legendary Irish troubadour  Damien Rice returns to Australia to play theatre dates around the country this May. The beloved singer-songwriter, whose emotionally wrought songs defined a generation of 21st-century heartache, is riding high on a sold-out international tour and will make his Sydney Opera House debut on Friday 12 May. Rice then takes his sublime solo performance through Melbourne’s Hamer Hall, Geelong’s Costa Hall, Hobart’s Odeon Theatre, QPAC Concert Hall in Brisbane, and winding up at HOTA Theatre on the Gold Coast.   Having the unconventional tendency to prefer walking on stage with no setlist, Damien Rice commands complete attention as soon as he enters the room. A favourite of fans, critics and artists alike, Rice has garnered a reputation for his powerful live shows – tough and tender performances that have seen him develop an intimate rapport with fans. 

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Damien Rice announces 2023 Australian tour

• X (formerly Twitter)

Stock up on your hankies,  Damien Rice  is bringing his emotionally devastating songbook back Down Under for a headline tour. 

The Irish troubadour returns to Australia in May, and will play some grand spaces in Melbourne, Geelong, Hobart, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and a kick-off show at the Sydney Opera House. 

Formerly a member of '90s rock band  Juniper , Rice's solo career exploded with the release of his debut album  O. 

Celebrating its 20th anniversary last year, the album was a word-of-mouth-success story that ended up selling millions of copies, with songs like 'Cannonball' and 'The Blower's Daughter' soundtracking big TV and film dramas. Not bad for a record mostly recorded in a kitchen in Dublin.

His 2006 follow-up  9  cemented Rice's reputation as a writer of emotional extremes, with songs that could range from achingly beautiful to intensely anguished and bitter. 

Following a self-imposed absence, Rice released the Rick Rubin-produced  My Favourite Faded Fantasy  and has made a habit of keeping fans waiting for new tour dates and music ever since.

Despite falling out of the zeitgeist (and you suspect that's what he wanted), Rice remains a captivating performer, as Double J experienced firsthand attending Rice's first show in Australia in over a decade , back in pre-COVID 2019.

Stunning the room into awed silence, performing solo with an acoustic guitar was a "powerful reminder that he needs little more than raw materials and his masterful use of dynamics to sell the melodrama," as we observed at the time. 

Rice hasn't released new music in nearly a decade but he has been teasing "new songs" on his socials , so his Australian tour may be a chance to experience them for the first time. 

At the very least, you'll be able to reconnect with critically acclaimed songs that have lost little of their power over the years. 

Damien Rice plays the following dates. Tickets are on sale from Friday 17 February at 2pm (local time).

Friday 12 May - Sydney Opera House: Gadigal Land, Sydney (licensed, all ages)

Tuesday 16 May - Hamer Hall: Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung, Melbourne (licensed, all ages)

Thursday 18 May - Costa Hall: Wadawurrung, Geelong (licensed, all ages)

Saturday 20 May - Odeon Theatre: muwinina, Hobart (18+)

Monday 22 May - Concerta Hall QPAC: Turrbal, Jagera, Brisbane (licensed, all ages)

Wednesday 24 May - HOTA Theatre: Yugambeh, Gold Coast (licensed, all ages)

Damien Rice has changed in the past 11 years, but haven't we all?

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Damien Rice

12 – 13 may 2023.

In the Concert Hall

Legendary Irish troubadour Damien Rice returns to Australia for his highly-anticipated Sydney Opera House debut, a night of classic songs, wry banter and emotional power in the Concert Hall.

$8.95 Booking Fee applies per transaction

The only authorised agency for this event is  Sydney Opera House.  For more information about Authorised Agencies, see the FAQ below. Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection. 

For any special access requirements phone the Contact Centre on 02 9250 7777 or email  [email protected] .

Sydney Opera House Insiders pre-sale 9am, Tuesday 14th February 2023 

Become a Sydney Opera House Insider to receive exclusive pre-sale access

What’s On e-newsletter pre-sale 1pm, Thursday 16th February 2023

General Public tickets on-sale 2pm, Friday 17th February 2023 

Wheelchair accessible

Find out more about  accessibility at Sydney Opera House

Show will run for approximately 90 minutes. Event duration is a guide only and may be subject to change.

Recommended for all ages. Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied at all times.

Performance may contain the use of strobe lighting and smoke machines.

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Venue information 

Covid-safe information

Frequently asked questions, the return of a folk rock legend.

Damien Rice is back in a big way. The beloved Irish singer-songwriter, whose emotionally wrought songs defined a generation of 21st-century heartache, is riding high on a sold-out international comeback tour, and he’s set to return to Australia for his long-awaited Sydney Opera House debut in the Concert Hall.

Rocketing to stardom on the strength of his 2002 debut  O , and its enduring favourites “The Blower’s Daughter,” “Volcano” and “Cannonball,” the Dublin-born multi-instrumentalist collected the Shortlist Music Prize and quickly earned a reputation for his powerful live shows – tough and tender performances that saw him develop an intimate rapport with fans. Rice’s follow-up, 2006’s  9 , yielded the global smash “9 Crimes,” while his self-imposed absence following 2014’s  My Favourite Faded Fantasy  – his most recent album to date – only added to the anticipation among fans for his return.

As his recent performances in the UK attest, Rice has lost none of his cathartic power or stage presence. If anything, his combination of raw melodrama and masterful dynamics has grown more accomplished, sprinkled with a newfound sense of personal zen and laced, as ever, with Rice’s wonderfully self-deprecating sense of humour. He has been missed. 

Sydney Opera House Presents

Other information

Venue information.

Our foyers will be open 90 minutes pre-show for Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and two hours pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. Refreshments will be available for purchase from our theatre bars. All Sydney Opera House foyers are pram accessible, with lifts to the main and western foyers. The public lift to all foyers is accessible from the corridor near the escalators on the Lower Concourse and also in the Western Foyer via the corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the escalators). Pram parking will be available outside the theatres in the Western Foyer.

The Sydney Opera House Car Park, operated by Wilson Parking, is open and available to use. Wilson Parking offer discounted parking if you book ahead. Please see  their website  for details.

Please check the  Transport NSW website  for the latest advice and information on travel. You can catch public transport (bus, train, ferry) to Circular Quay and enjoy a six min walk to the Opera House. 

The health and wellbeing of everyone attending the Opera House is our top priority. We’re committed to making your experience safe, comfortable and enjoyable, with a number of measures in place including regular cleaning of high-touch areas, air conditioning systems that maximise ventilation, and hand sanitiser stations positioned in all paths of travel. We remind our audiences and visitors to please stay home if you feel unwell. If you need to discuss your ticketing or booking options, contact our Box Office team on 02 9250 7777.

The health and wellbeing of everyone attending the Opera House is our top priority. We have a number of safety measures in place including regular cleaning of high-touch areas, air conditioning systems that maximise ventilation, and hand sanitiser stations positioned in all paths of travel. While face masks are no longer required, we ask all our patrons and visitors to practise good hygiene. Please stay home if you feel unwell and read more about our flexible ticket options .

The Sydney Opera House no longer requires patrons to show that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Ticket purchases and collection at our Box Office is discouraged and eTicket or postal delivery methods should be used, wherever possible. However, if you are collecting your tickets from the Box Office, we recommend doing this at least 60 minutes before the event starts. If you have already received your tickets, the venue doors will be open 45 minutes pre-show for Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and 30 minutes pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. Please take your seats as soon as you arrive. 

If you are late, we will seat you as soon as we can and, where possible, in your allocated seat. However, to reduce movement in the venue as well as minimise disruption to the performance and other patrons, ticketholders may be seated in an allocated latecomer’s seat. Please be aware that some events have lock-out periods. In these cases, latecomers will be admitted at a suitable break in the performance. On occasions, this may not be until the interval, or at all where there is no interval. 

Details of our right to refuse admission can be found in our  General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Events.

In accordance with our venue security procedures, Opera House security will be scanning and checking bags under the Monumental Stairs, prior to entering the building. Bags will be scanned by an x-ray machine, and staff will wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling your belongings, such as gloves. Cloaking facilities will be open 60 minutes pre-show for Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and 60 minutes pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. However it is strongly encouraged that you travel lightly to minimise contact and queuing. Any bags larger than an A4 piece of paper will need to be checked into the Cloak Room.

The authorised agency for this event is the Sydney Opera House.

Only tickets purchased by authorised agencies should be considered reliable. If you purchase tickets from a non-authorised agency such as Ticketmaster Resale, Viagogo, Ticketbis, eBay, Gumtree, Tickets Australia or any other unauthorised seller, you risk that these tickets are fake, void or have previously been cancelled. RESALE RESTRICTION APPLIES. For more details, please refer to our  General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Attendance at Events.

Please contact Box Office on 9250 7777 as soon as possible to advise if you can no longer attend.

Foyers will be open 90 minutes pre-show for Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and two hours pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. Refreshments will be available for purchase from our theatre bars.

The venue doors will be open 45 minutes pre-show for Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and 30 minutes pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances.

Please bring a credit or debit card for any on site purchases to enable contactless payment. You’re welcome to bring your own water bottle but no other food and drinks are permitted inside our venues. Opera Bar, Opera Kitchen and Portside are also available for you to enjoy.

The health, safety and wellbeing of everyone at the Sydney Opera House is our top priority. In line with this commitment, the Opera House became a smoke-free site in January 2022. Read our Smoke-free Environment Policy . 

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Damien Rice announces 2023 Australian tour

The Irish singer-songwriter will return in May for six shows, including his Sydney Opera House debut

Irish singer-songwriter Damien Rice has announced he will return to Australia in May to play six shows, including his debut at the Sydney Opera House.

Rice’s Opera House show will begin the tour on May 12, before concerts at Melbourne’s Hamer Hall, Geelong’s Costa Hall, the Oden Theatre in Hobart, Brisbane’s QPAC and the HOTA Theatre on the Gold Coast.

See dates below – tickets are on sale this Friday (February 17) from 2pm local time. There’s also a Frontier Touring pre-sale that kicks off a day earlier, which you can register for here .

Rice’s most recent studio album, ‘My Favourite Faded Fantasy’, arrived back in 2014. Since then, the songwriter’s output has been relatively light. In 2020, he covered Sia ‘s ‘Chandelier’ for Julia Stone ‘s ‘Songs For Australia’ bushfire relief fundraiser .

Last year, Rice shared new single ‘Astronaut’ as part of ‘The Busk Record’, a compilation that benefited homelessness charity Dublin Simon Community and also featured the likes of Bono and Glen Hansard.

In November, Rice announced a 2023 European and UK tour, which will kick off next month and mark his first gigs since 2019. At the time of the tour’s announcement, Rice promised that “new songs” were on the way.

“Sometimes you have to step away from what you love in order to learn how to love it again,” Rice said in 2013, when speaking about the time taken between his 2006 album ‘9’ and its follow-up, ‘My Favourite Faded Fantasy’.

Damien Rice’s 2023 Australian tour dates are:

Recommended.

MAY Friday 12 – Sydney, Opera House Tuesday 16 – Melbourne, Hamer Hall Thursday 18 – Geelong, Costa Hall Saturday 20 – Hobart, Odeon Theatre Monday 22 – Brisbane, QPAC Wednesday 24 – Gold Coast, HOTA Theatre

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Damien Rice Announces 2023 Australian Tour

Get down to the theatres this May for some cathartic storytelling.

Damien Rice (Pic by Blair Alexander)

Irish troubadour Damien Rice is returning to Australia this May for the first time since 2019.

Rice will make his Sydney Opera House debut on Friday, 12 May, before heading to Melbourne’s Hamer Hall, Geelong’s Costa Hall, Hobart’s Odeon Theatre, QPAC Concert Hall in Brisbane, and winds up at HOTA Theatre on the Gold Coast. 

Frontier Members can access pre-sale tickets this Thursday, 16 February, at 1 pm local time. Tickets sold to the general public will go on sale on Friday, 17 February, at 2 pm local time. Buy tickets here .

The Music attended Rice's first gig back in Australia in over a decade in February 2019, with local singer-songwriter Gordi  blowing audiences away as the support act. 

There was an unmistakable feeling in the venue of welcoming a loved one back into the fold when   Damien Rice took to the stage with little fanfare – potentially because of the numerous Irish ex-pats in the crowd, but probably more due to Rice’s ability to perform as if he knows his crowd intimately. 

The night was filled with storytelling, like all good nights with old friends should be. More often than not, Rice would preface a song with a short (or sometimes long) tale about its origin, whether it be about misconstrued advances between friends ( Amie ), raining days in Ireland drinking wine with strangers ( Cheers Darlin’ ), or dodgy construction in Dublin ( Older Chests ). Occasionally he would let the song speak for itself, like opener Delicate , which he sang unplugged in the dark, or the sorrowful 9 Crimes , with lyrics bitterly muttered as Rice hunched over a piano in the corner of the stage. 

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The Music concluded: There’s no doubt that Damien Rice is a master musician and a well-versed performer, but it’s perhaps his Irish wit and talent for conversation that made this night one to remember.

Rice's debut album, O , turned 20 last year and skyrocketed the singer to stardom.

DAMIEN RICE

2023 AUSTRALIAN TOUR

FRIDAY 12 MAY - Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, Sydney NSW (Lic. All Ages) sydneyoperahouse.com  

TUESDAY 16 MAY - Hamer Hall, Melbourne VIC (Lic. All Ages)  artscentremelbourne.com.au  

THURSDAY 18 MAY - Costa Hall, Geelong VIC (Lic. All Ages)  geelongartscentre.org.au  

SATURDAY 20 MAY - Odeon Theatre, Hobart TAS (18+)  oztix.com.au  

MONDAY 22 MAY - Concert Hall QPAC,  Brisbane QLD (Lic. All Ages)  qpac.com.au  

WEDNESDAY 24 MAY - HOTA Theatre, Gold Coast QLD (Lic. All Ages) hota.com.au  

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Damien Rice Announces 2023 Australian Theatre Tour

By Tyler Jenke

Irish musician Damien Rice has announced his return to live performances, with the acclaimed songwriter scheduling an Australian tour for May 2023. The upcoming shows will be some of Rice’s first since 2019, the same year he last visited Australia.

Rice will begin his Australian tour at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on 12th May, ahead of shows in Melbourne, Geelong, Hobart, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast.

Damien Rice – ‘9 Crimes’

Rice launched his music career in the early ‘90s as a member of Irish band Juniper. He left the group in 1998 and released his debut solo album, O, in 2002. The album was critically acclaimed, leading to the release of 9 in 2006. Rice’s latest album is 2014’s My Favourite Faded Fantasy .

Rice visited Australia in February 2019, following a 12-year absence. He submitted a cover of Sia’s ‘Chandelier’ to the Songs For Australia benefit album in early 2020. His first live shows in over three years will take place in Europe next month.

Damien Rice 2023 Australian Tour

• Friday, 12th May – ​Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, Sydney, NSW
• Tuesday, 16th May – ​Hamer Hall, Melbourne, VIC
• Thursday, 18th May – Costa Hall, Geelong, VIC
• Saturday, 20th May – ​Odeon Theatre, Hobart, TAS
• Monday, 22th May – ​Concert Hall QPAC, Brisbane, QLD
• Wednesday, 24th May – ​HOTA Theatre, Gold Coast, QLD

Tickets on sale now.

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Damien rice announces australian tour dates for may.

“When I saw Damien play… that night literally changed my life.” ​– Ed Sheeran

Legendary Irish troubadour Damien Rice is set to return to Australia to play theatre dates around the country this May. Catch his evening of mesmerising and cathartic storytelling when he heads to Melbourne’s own Hamer Hall for a show on May 16.

Damian Rice Australian tour 2023

• May 12 – Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, Sydney
• May 16 – Hamer Hall, Melbourne
• May 18 – Costa Hall, Geelong
• May 20 – Odeon Theatre, Hobart
• May 22 – Concert Hall QPAC, Brisbane
• May 24 – HOTA Theatre, Gold Coast

Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews  here .

The beloved singer-songwriter, whose emotionally wrought songs defined a generation of 21st-century heartache, is rising high on a sold-out international tour. First making his Sydney Opera House debut, he will then take to the stage at Melbourne’s Hamer Hall for a sublime solo performance.

Having the unconventional tendency to prefer walking on stage with no setlist, Damien Rice commands complete attention as soon as he enters the room. A favourite of fans, critics and artists alike, Rice has garnered a reputation for his powerful live shows – tough and tender performances that have seen him develop an intimate rapport with fans.

His combination of raw melodrama and masterful dynamics has grown more accomplished, sprinkled with a newfound sense of personal zen and laced, as ever, with Rice’s wonderfully self-deprecating sense of humour.

It all goes down at Hamer Hall on May 16. Tickets go on sale to the general public from February 16, grab them when they’re available by heading here .

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Damien rice announces australian headline tour for may.

Expect nights of classic songs, wry banter and emotional power with the folk rock legend.

Legendary Irish troubadour Damien Rice returns to Australia to play theatre dates around the country this May.

The beloved singer-songwriter, whose emotionally wrought songs defined a generation of 21st-century heartache, is riding high on a sold-out international tour and will make his Sydney Opera House debut on Friday 12 May. Rice then takes his sublime solo performance through Melbourne’s Hamer Hall, Geelong’s Costa Hall, Hobart’s Odeon Theatre, QPAC Concert Hall in Brisbane, and winding up at HOTA Theatre on the Gold Coast.

Damien Rice Australian tour 2023

• May 12 – Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, Sydney
• May 16 – Hamer Hall, Melbourne
• May 18 – Costa Hall, Geelong
• May 20 – Odeon Theatre, Hobart
• May 22 – Concert Hall QPAC, Brisbane
• May 24 – HOTA Theatre, Gold Coast

Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews  here .

Having the unconventional tendency to prefer walking on stage with no setlist, Damien Rice commands complete attention as soon as he enters the room. A favourite of fans, critics and artists alike, Rice has garnered a reputation for his powerful live shows – tough and tender performances that have seen him develop an intimate rapport with fans.

Rocketing to stardom on the strength of his 2002 debut O, and its enduring favourites ‘The Blower’s Daughter’, ‘Volcano’ and ‘Cannonball’, the Dublin-born multi-instrumentalist quickly cracked Top Ten in the UK, collecting multi-platinum status and earning him the Shortlist Music Prize.

Rice’s follow-up, 2006’s 9, yielded the global smash ‘9 Crimes’ while his self-imposed absence following 2014’s No.1 Rick Rubin-produced My Favourite Faded Fantasy – his most recent album to date – only added to the anticipation among fans for his return.

As his recent performances in the UK attest, Rice has lost none of his cathartic power or stage presence. If anything, his combination of raw melodrama and masterful dynamics has grown more accomplished, sprinkled with a newfound sense of personal zen and laced, as ever, with Rice’s wonderfully self-deprecating sense of humour.

It all goes down at Costa Hall in Geelong on May 18. Tickets go on sale to the general public from February 16, grab them when they’re available by heading here .

US psychedelic rockers Earthless are heading to Geelong in March

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Damien Rice Announces 2023 Australian Theatre Tour

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Irish musician Damien Rice has announced his return to live performances, with the acclaimed songwriter scheduling an Australian tour for May 2023. The upcoming shows will be some of Rice’s first since 2019, the same year he last visited Australia.

Rice will begin his Australian tour at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on 12th May, ahead of shows in Melbourne, Geelong, Hobart, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast.

Damien Rice – ‘9 Crimes’

Rice launched his music career in the early ‘90s as a member of Irish band Juniper. He left the group in 1998 and released his debut solo album, O, in 2002. The album was critically acclaimed, leading to the release of 9 in 2006. Rice’s latest album is 2014’s My Favourite Faded Fantasy .

Rice visited Australia in February 2019, following a 12-year absence. He submitted a cover of Sia’s ‘Chandelier’ to the Songs For Australia benefit album in early 2020. His first live shows in over three years will take place in Europe next month.

Damien Rice 2023 Australian Tour

Friday, 12th May – ​Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, Sydney, NSW

Tuesday, 16th May – ​Hamer Hall, Melbourne, VIC

Thursday, 18th May – Costa Hall, Geelong, VIC

Saturday, 20th May – ​Odeon Theatre, Hobart, TAS

Monday, 22th May – ​Concert Hall QPAC, Brisbane, QLD

Wednesday, 24th May – ​HOTA Theatre, Gold Coast, QLD

Tickets on sale now.

Further Reading

Ed Sheeran’s 10 Songs That Shaped & Defined Me

Watch Lana Del Rey Sing Duet With Leonard Cohen’s Son At Memorial Concert

Matt Corby Announces ‘Everything’s Fine’ Album Tour, Shares New Single

The post Damien Rice Announces 2023 Australian Theatre Tour appeared first on Music Feeds .

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Damien Rice Announces Australian Theatre Tour May 2023

Renowned Irish troubadour Damien Rice is set to grace the stages of theatres around Australia this coming May . The celebrated singer-songwriter has poignant and stirring music that captured the essence of heartache for a generation of listeners . He is riding high on the back of an international tour that has seen him sell out numerous shows.

Tour Dates and Damien Rice’s Captivating Live Performances

Damien Rice’s tour will start with his highly anticipated debut at the iconic Sydney Opera House on Friday, May 12 . Afterward, Rice’s captivating solo performance will then travel through Hamer Hall in Melbourne, Costa Hall in Geelong . He will also perform at Hobart’s Odeon Theatre and QPAC Concert Hall in Brisbane. Finally, he will perform at HOTA Theatre on the Gold Coast on May 24.

Rice is famous for his unconventional tendency to walk on stage without a setlist. His enthralling presence immediately commands the audience’s attention. Praised by fans, critics, and fellow musicians alike, he has become renowned for his powerful live performances – emotionally charged yet tender and characterized by an intimate connection with his audience.

Getting acquainted with Damien Rice

Damien Rice is an Irish singer-songwriter and musician who gained popularity in the early 2000s with his debut album “O.” His music became popular for its emotional depth and poetic lyrics, often exploring themes of love, loss, and introspection.

Some of Damien Rice’s most popular songs include “The Blower’s Daughter,” “Cannonball,” “Volcano,” and “9 Crimes.” He has released several albums throughout his career, including “O,” “9,” and “My Favourite Faded Fantasy.”

In addition to his solo work, Rice has collaborated with several other musicians and artists, including Lisa Hannigan and the band Bell X1. People recognize him for his intimate live performances, often featuring just him and his guitar, and has toured extensively throughout Europe and North America.

Get Your Tickets Before They’re Gone!

For fans of Damien Rice, this upcoming Australian theatre tour is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that simply you should never miss. With sold-out shows across the globe, Rice’s captivating live performances have become a rare and treasured experience for music lovers everywhere.

As a celebrated singer-songwriter with a reputation for emotionally charged and intimate performances, Damien Rice has garnered widespread acclaim from fans and critics alike. And with his unconventional tendency to walk on stage without a setlist, Rice’s shows are always spontaneous and unpredictable, adding an extra layer of excitement and anticipation for the audience.

The tour begins with Rice’s debut performance at the iconic Sydney Opera House before travelling through Melbourne, Geelong, Hobart, Brisbane, and finishing up at the stunning HOTA Theatre on the Gold Coast.

If you’re a fan of Rice’s poignant and stirring music, this is a rare opportunity to witness his powerful live performance and connect with his artistry in an intimate setting. Don’t miss your chance to see Damien Rice live in Australia, as tickets are sure to sell out quickly.  Get yours now  while they last!

The Jungle Giants at Coomera Dreamworld in June 2023

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• by Stephanie Chin
• Posted on May 17, 2023 May 23, 2023

Damien Rice: 2023 Australian Tour, Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall, May 16th 2023 – Live Review

I first discovered Damien Rice almost twenty years ago.

I was clicking around YouTube and came across Rice ’s signature tune, ‘The Blower’s Daughter’ . It was a time when I was tired of what was being played on the radio. I longed to find something different that I would enjoy and replay, and I found that and more in Damien Rice ’s music.

After finally seeing him live in Bendigo back in 2019 before the world shifted, I was overjoyed to be seeing one of my favourite songwriters again. But this time in my own city and at Arts Centre Melbourne’s Hamer Hall. Known more as a concert hall for symphony orchestras and operas, I had wondered how the atmosphere and sound of the theatre would fare to Damien Rice ’s acoustic style of music.

Entering the lower foyer of the venue, the energy of the room was filled with patrons keen to see Damien Rice live for the first time, and then there were others, like me , who were just as excited to see him again. There was even a fan that took to the lonely piano in the foyer to play Damien Rice ’s music while waiting. Although I had seen Rice once before, four years is a long time, and I was as curious as everyone else on what would unfold.

Once the doors to the theatre had opened, fans quickly organised themselves to take their seats, and I found myself looking upon a dimly lit stage. It was in that moment that I remembered how unique Damien Rice ’s concerts are.

Despite the 2,466 seated venue being sold-out, every patron was silent and respectful during Damien Rice ’s numbers. Advised to turn off our phones and put the world away for a moment, it was so quiet; you could hear a pin drop. Engulfed in darkness, the audience would only bring themselves to cheer after a song was done, or just before in excitement when recognising the first few notes to Rice ’s more popular tunes.

What makes Damien Rice so magical to see live is that there is no setlist . We are at the mercy of what Rice wants to sing, or what he obliges to play that is kindly requested by fans in between songs. Even his accompaniment with singer/cellist Francisca Barreto and his stage lighting, all is completely improvised .

I firmly believe that every time Damien Rice sings his songs, he relives the emotions that he felt when he initially wrote them. Being the light in the darkness ( quite literally ), Rice took his audience on a mysterious and haunting journey through his raw stories of love, heartache, pain, and sorrow. All consistently and effortlessly through song.

Equipped with four guitars that he rotated, and a piano, his arresting vocals and eloquent lyrics combined to provide sublime tales and notes that cut through the hearts of many, filling every inch and corner of Melbourne’s Hamer Hall with his raw talent and sincerity.

There were many songs that I recognised and many that I didn’t, but all were beautiful including ‘The Blower’s Daughter’ , ‘9 Crimes’ , ‘Delicate’ , ‘Older Chests’ , ‘Volcano’ , and my personal favourites ‘Cannonball’ and ‘Amie’ . But the highlights of the night were two fan-requested numbers that consisted of an enchanting acoustic piano version of ‘Rootless Tree’ , and a jaw-dropping, gorgeous and heartfelt rendition of ‘Elephant’ on the acoustic guitar.

I had heard ‘Elephant ’ once before when I initially saw Damien Rice live during his last Australian visit. However, at the time, I was admittedly more excited to hear his more popular numbers which were the songs that made me fall in love with his music. This time though, it was ‘Elephant’ that stayed with me long after I left the venue. I’ll never forget the way this was displayed. His vocals soared to the ceilings of Hamer Hall while they too rushed through me, and the lighting of the stage was smartly lit in warm colours of yellow which grew brighter and brighter as Rice ’s vocals grew louder and louder. It was as if Damien Rice was standing before a sunrise.

Recalling that this was all improvised , it was as powerful as it was theatrical. My only regret is that I didn’t film any of it. I can’t rewatch it and remember that it was real, and this is due to Rice ’s request for fans to just enjoy the show without technology.

I do understand the atmosphere and setting that Rice is trying to create with his work, and I daresay that his concerts are the perfect marriage of live music and theatre – it’s art . In any other circumstance with theatre, you would do the same and put your phones away for the duration of the show.

Mysterious, haunting, and infectiously captivating, there is no experience quite like a Damien Rice concert. I even found myself closing my eyes various times to lose myself in the music, focusing on the art of Rice ’s gorgeous songwriting and incredible vocals. With fans pleading for Rice to stay a bit longer, unfortunately all good things must come to an end and Rice disappeared from the stage as quickly as he came.

There was something so special about witnessing Damien Rice live. We all collectively gathered to live in the moment and witness the beloved Irish singer-songwriter in his element. Majestically serenading the lucky ones that managed to grab tickets to the sold-out Hamer Hall Melbourne show, he lost himself to the music and he took us all along with him.

I only hope that Damien Rice returns to Melbourne sooner rather than later as I am aching to see him live in concert again. I promise you, there’s no experience like it. Until then, I’ll relive everything through listening to his music on repeat once more, exactly like how I found him those many years ago.

Promoted by Frontier Touring , Chugg Entertainment , and Gaynor Crawford , Damien Rice performed in Melbourne on Tuesday the 16th of May at Arts Centre Melbourne’s Hamer Hall as part of his 2023 Australian Tour . Tickets are scarce but for more information and ticketing, visit: https://damienrice.com https://www.frontiertouring.com/damienrice Photography by David Vagg .

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• Rice, Damien
• May 18, 2023 Setlist

Damien Rice Setlist at Costa Hall, Geelong, Australia

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• I Stepped Out in the Rain Play Video
• Delicate Play Video
• Accidental Babies Play Video
• Cannonball Play Video
• Amie Play Video
• Eskimo ( partly ) Play Video
• My Favourite Faded Fantasy Play Video
• Astronaut Play Video
• I Don't Want to Change You Play Video
• Stoic Play Video
• 9 Crimes Play Video
• Older Chests Play Video
• Coconut Skins Play Video
• Volcano Play Video
• I Remember Play Video
• The Professor & la fille danse Play Video
• The Blower's Daughter Play Video

Edits and Comments

3 activities (last edit by event_monkey , 30 Nov 2023, 23:16 Etc/UTC )

Songs on Albums

• Older Chests
• The Blower's Daughter
• Accidental Babies
• Coconut Skins
• I Stepped Out in the Rain
• I Don't Want to Change You
• My Favourite Faded Fantasy
• The Professor & la fille danse

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Damien Rice

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Damien Rice Gig Timeline

• May 13 2023 Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House Sydney, Australia Add time Add time
• May 16 2023 Hamer Hall, The Arts Centre Melbourne, Australia Start time: 8:15 PM 8:15 PM
• May 18 2023 Costa Hall This Setlist Geelong, Australia Add time Add time
• May 20 2023 Odeon Theatre Hobart, Australia Start time: 8:05 PM 8:05 PM
• May 22 2023 QPAC Concert Hall Brisbane, Australia Start time: 8:10 PM 8:10 PM

3 people were there

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Born 7 December 1973, Damien Rice is an Irish singer-songwriter who hails from Dublin, Ireland. He produces indie and folk music under his label Heffa.

Rice’s musical career has its roots in the band Juniper, which he formed with friends out of Salesian College in Celbridge, County Kildare, Ireland. He was active in the band from the period 1991-1998 and recorded six albums with the group under the label Polygram. Rice went on a hiatus after the group broke up and backpacked and farmed his way through Europe. Coming home to Ireand, Rice decided to pursue music independently.

Rice recorded a demo and with the help of a cousin in London he set up a mobile studio. His debut full-length album entitled “O” was released in Ireland and the UK in 2002 and in Europe and the U.S. the following year. It peaked at No. 9 in the UK and remained on the charts for more than 90 weeks. Rice’s music received further exposure through film and television. The song “9 crimes” was featured on the animated film “Shrek” and “The Blower’s Daughter” was used on the soundtrack for the film “Closer.” The single “Delicate” appeared on the T.V. show “Lost.”

Damien Rice is known to utilize his talents through charitable contributions. As a philanthropist he has recorded songs to support the Dalai Lama in the album “Songs for Tibet: The Art of Peace,” as well as for “Help!: A Day In the Life” which aids war-torn countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina. Both as recording artist and a performer, Damien Rice continues to engage audiences with his honest and emotional songwriting.

Live reviews

As a die hard fan of damien rice I was dying to see this show, I had seen him earlier in the year when he played the bord gais theatre in dublin which was more of an intimate venue and suited him better I think but to be fair to him for one man and a guitar he can create some noise and he certainly turned up the rock factor for the show in Galway even one stage playing the electric guitar, he played songs of his latest album as well as all the old classics like cannonball, the blowers daughter etc.

which still sound as beautiful as when I first heard them, there are moments where you listen to the lyrics and watch him singing them with his eyes shut,it's as if he's pouring out his heart in every song and singing to a certain someone,it brings back so much memories of falling in love with o and 9. As for the overall performance last night I thought he played every song perfectly, some might say he kinda raced through the show, I got the sense he didn't feel appreciated by the crowd and to be honest I can't blame him, during a song he actually had to stop and suggest to the people who were constantly talking throughout the show to leave to which he received some heckling and support from his loyal fans, myself as a loyal fan I felt angry and sad for him, there were crowds of people in constant conversation throughout his performance and you could see he just didn't want to be there after that, I was infuriated and saddened that the Galway(I'm a Galway man myself) crowd didn't show the respect that the most talented singer songwriter of his generation deserves, I have watched shows of him on youtube performing throughout the world where you couldn't hear a pin drop, like I mentioned I was at the bord gais show and the crowd were fabulous even shouting welcome home damien as that was his first big show in Ireland in over ten years, he was loved and respected at that show, but last night we let him down and I wouldn't be surprised if he takes another hiatus form playing in Ireland, vocally he was amazing but what I would have to praise most on last nights performance is his patience and his dedication to play out the show for the few loyal fans that attended.

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The days of Damien Rice threatening to make some kind of mainstream breakthrough seem like a distant memory, now - the conspicuous placing of ‘Cannonball’ and ‘The Blower’s Daughter’ in just about every film, ever seemed to be a very real thing, for a while - but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t retained a significant cult fanbase in the intervening years. It’s impressive that he’s managed that, too, given that he’s hardly threatening The Beatles’ rate of return as far as records go; his last one, 9, dropped way back in 2006, and until last year, he’d kept a relatively low profile since. A rare appearance at Holland’s Best Kept Secret Festival last summer confirmed a few things; one, that Rice was still alive, two, that he’d been working on new music - with a new song, ‘The Box’, given an airing - and three, that his classic material still packed a serious emotional punch. Totally solo now that ex-girlfriend and frequent live collaborator Lisa Hannigan is off pursuing her own career, he switched back and forth between piano and guitar, but it was really that voice - capable of flitting between vulnerability and aggression so quickly - that reminded fans what they’d been missing; they can only hope his work ethic aligns itself with his obvious talent sooner than later.

Its been a long long wait to see the glourious Damien & as he said its good to be back , for you & us both Damien.

I hope I don't have to wait another 7/8 years to see the most hauntingly beautiful artist & lyricist around today.

From the painfully aching glory of Delicate , to the glory of the box , the beauty of cannonball & the blowers daughter ,Damien held centre stage , unlike on previous tours unaccompanied except for a brief appearance on long long way by support act Lucy Rose & her cellist.

My highlight was a fabulous rendition of the greatest bastard but nothing Damien does lets you down.

In reality Damien doesn't need accompaniment his lyrical masterpieces , his guitar playing his beautiful voice is enough to hold everyone's attention .This was aided by his use of twin microphones & various feedback techniques I'm not smart enough to understand that create a bigger sound that shines on I remember & Volcano.

The Albert Hall in Manchester is a great venue but the air conditioning drone did as Damien commented slightly interfere with the experience.

If Damien comes anywhere near you go & see him if you have any emotion in you he will find it , even if you haven't he still will.

An elusive performer and even more elusive recording artist, Damien Rice has a career that has spanned fourteen years yet in that time he has only released three albums. This sense of quality over quantity is transferred through to his live show as the songwriter makes every gig feel like an incredibly intimate and personable affair between him and the audience.

From the opening, delicate guitar picks of 'Elephant' the crowd watch in hushed quiet as to not disturb the artist who appears entranced in his own world and a loss of concentration could end in disaster. He runs through a mixture of tracks from all three of his albums, blending them well and only stopping to briefly thank his audience. '9 Crimes' sounds particularly breathtaking in this small venue, the opener to what many believe is Damien's best album thus far.

An obvious favourite of Rice's, 'The Blower's Daughter' makes for a poignant encore and proves to the audience that this musician need not rush between releases. 'Cannonball' the track that first put him on the radar and was subsequently used in every film trailer for the following years fades under the quiet accomplishment of this setlist.

After several years of traveling around the world and only very rarely playing in public, Damien Rice opened the first show of his 2014 tour at the Congregation Sherith Israel on 10/7/2014. He opened with an unplugged, non amplified song that showcased the excellent acoustical properties of the venue, then he launched into a two hour long set, plugged in. The key to this performance, aside from Damien's usual brilliance, was the outstanding cooperation from the crowd. They could be quiet when song volumes necessarily dropped for dramatic affect, and knew exactly when to chime in when singing along was encouraged. I think this venue was perfect for such a performance, but would probably not work as well with your average, noisy crowd. The temperature and humidity level in the balcony level was a bit uncomfortably hot and stuffy, but it didn't matter as Damien spun his magical web and completely captivated the entire audience. It was a great night. Welcome back Mr. Rice.

I love Rice’s music and his passion when singing.

That said, the show was a bit quirky.

Promising not to repeat any songs from the afternoon show, he admitted he had no set list. This led to very awkward moments before several songs.

The show started 20-25 minutes late and then he told us he had to end the show by 10:20 b/c that was the rule. Huh? BS. I’ve been to Town Hall many times.

The gimmick of inviting a woman on stage for Cheers, Darling (where we watched them finish a bottle of wine in 5 min) was too hokey for me.

He didn’t do any covers in this show (I love his covers of U2, Leonard Cohen, etc. He did Prince in the earlier show which I would have wanted to hear)

Despite these criticisms, his songs are great, his stories were cool. A couple of new songs (one is Astronaut) got me hoping for a new album soon - tho he didn’t say so.

He's always amazing. This is the 4th time I've seen him, which puts him in a pretty exclusive club in my books.

Every time it's a little different. The first time was still the best -- he had the crew from "O" with him, and was in Toronto's Convocation Hall. It was such a special experience that he mentioned it the next time he came through town, and so did his warm-up act, The Frames.

This time he was solo, as he was when he played the Danforth just before the release of "9."

He is such a master with the loop pedal that he can often make it sound like he has 10 guys up on that stage and be playing all by himself.

If I'm honest, it would have been nice at times to hear a female voice -- it doesn't have to be Lisa Hannigan, but he did seem to write a lot of parts for her. Most of the time, though, he did just fine on his own.

Overall, a great show and not to be missed. Played all his hits, and provided backstories for most of them which was quite enjoyable. He asks a lot from his audience as far as attention span goes, which I loved, but meant that at times the place got very loud as others seemed to get bored and talkative. He did a lot of looping as well, which was a little bit of a disappointment as this is not his strong suit, but it certainly wasn't bad. Again, overall a great show and I would strongly encourage anyone to see it!

I've seen Damien before, the previous concert at friedrichstadtpalast was good but this one at Tempodrom was a total blast, better sound, he tried more new things with old tunes and engaged into long conversations with the public. The lightning was also better than other times. The addition of an actual drum set instead of pre-recorded sounds was also very welcome. All in all it felt like one the best concerts of the year.

This concert was so much more than I'd expected. Damien appeared completely honest and deeply present throughout the whole show. His personal anecdotes between the songs gave the experience yet a deeper layer and humor. His performance was utterly professional and he really had the audience in the palm of his hand. I would love to see him on stage again and now his music is constantly playing in my ears

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DAMIEN RICE RETURNS TO AUSTRALIA

AUSTRALIAN HEADLINE TOUR

Legendary Irish troubadour Damien Rice returns to Australia to play theatre dates around the country this May.

The beloved singer-songwriter, whose emotionally wrought songs defined a generation of 21st-century heartache, is riding high on a sold-out international tour and will make his Sydney Opera House debut on Friday 12 May. Rice then takes his sublime solo performance through Melbourne’s Hamer Hall, Geelong’s Costa Hall, Hobart’s Odeon Theatre, QPAC Concert Hall in Brisbane, and winding up at HOTA Theatre on the Gold Coast.

Having the unconventional tendency to prefer walking on stage with no setlist, Damien Rice commands complete attention as soon as he enters the room. A favourite of fans, critics and artists alike, Rice has garnered a reputation for his powerful live shows – tough and tender performances that have seen him develop an intimate rapport with fans.

“When I saw Damien play… that night literally changed my life.” –  Ed Sheeran

“When he wasn’t impressing with his stage presence and wit, Rice captivated through song.” –  Consequence

“Still has the power to stun a room into silent awe with his emotionally wrought songs.”–  ABC (Double J)

Rocketing to stardom on the strength of his 2002 debut O, and its enduring favourites ‘The Blower’s Daughter’, ‘Volcano’ and ‘Cannonball’, the Dublin-born multi-instrumentalist quickly cracked Top Ten in the UK, collecting multi-platinum status and earning him the Shortlist Music Prize.

Rice’s follow-up, 2006’s 9, yielded the global smash ‘9 Crimes’ while his self-imposed absence following 2014’s No.1 Rick Rubin-produced My Favourite Faded Fantasy – his most recent album to date – only added to the anticipation among fans for his return. As his recent performances in the UK attest, Rice has lost none of his cathartic power or stage presence. If anything, his combination of raw melodrama and masterful dynamics has grown more accomplished, sprinkled with a newfound sense of personal zen and laced, as ever, with Rice’s wonderfully self-deprecating sense of humour. There is new music, and this may lead to new releases. Time will tell.

For now, there are new tour dates.

AUSTRALIA TOUR MAY 2023 Presented by Chugg Entertainment, Gaynor Crawford & Frontier Touring

FRIDAY 12 MAY Sydney Opera House Concert Hall | Sydney NSW (Lic. All Ages) sydneyoperahouse.com

SATURDAY 13 MAY Sydney Opera House Concert Hall | Sydney NSW (Lic. All Ages) sydneyoperahouse.com

TUESDAY 16 MAY Hamer Hall | Melbourne VIC (Lic. All Ages) artscentremelbourne.com.au

THURSDAY 18 MAY Costa Hall | Geelong VIC (Lic. All Ages) geelongartscentre.org.au

SATURDAY 20 MAY Odeon Theatre | Hobart TAS (18+) oztix.com.au

MONDAY 22 MAY Concert Hall QPAC | Brisbane QLD (Lic. All Ages) qpac.com.au

WEDNESDAY 24 MAY HOTA Theatre | Gold Coast QLD (Lic. All Ages) hota.com.au

Patrons are advised to purchase tickets only through authorised ticket sellers. We cannot guarantee any ticket purchase made through any means other than the

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Live Review: Damien Rice stuns us into silence at the Sydney Opera House (11.05.23)

• May 14, 2023
• Live Reviews
• Damien Rice
• Sydney Opera House

Five songs into his spellbinding set, Irish singer-songwriter Damien Rice genuinely lets the crowd decide what he’s going to play next. There are screams. Many. And just about every single one of them are shouting out a different song title (the winner was “Woman Like A Man”)

Such is how highly regarded Rice is amongst his fans. If you love Damien Rice then you love him. If you don’t, then you just haven’t really listened to him.

And look, I wouldn’t blame anyone in the latter camp. Damien Rice sings love songs. But these are love songs from a man who has a deep and unfortunate understanding of love in the 21st century. And how love is not love, but pain, jealousy, obsession, mental illness, codependence and alcoholism. Love songs are not happy songs.

There are many themes strung throughout Rice’s songs, and almost none of them are uplifting. Rather, Rice is more concerned with the kind of art that helps you speak to your own pain and make sense of it, to label it and give it anthems. Listening to Damien Rice is both painful and absolutely beautiful. Like true art.

And that’s what was on display as the singer, evidently in high spirits and awkwardly charming throughout, fell into the crowd and encouraged us to fall back into him. Early stunners like “Old Chest” and “Delicate” showed this early on. It primed us for the emotional gut-punch Rice was about to deliver with songs like “9 Crimes” and “Cannonball”.

I must give a special nod to just how rare this moment was. Damien Rice rarely tours. He is like a highly sought, incredibly rare Irish whisky that’s only released in limited batches every few years. To get your senses around what Rice is offering feels special. It was special.

Rice’s set was special until the very closing moments of “The Blower’s Daughter,” treated with complete sensitivity to the beloved recorded version. Yet, the singer’s charming interludes and on-stage changes were always the highlights, whether he was engulfed by a tempestuous rock breakdown set against storm-like strobes as if we were witnessing a King Lear production, or working beautifully with a violinist (whose name escapes me) who complemented his music so well.

The Irish troubadour is perfect in the sense that his caustic lyrics cut so deeply for so many. Made even more perfect by his intensely relatable demeanor on stage, equal parts aloof and cocksure.

It’s rare that I’d see a concert and walk away thinking “yeah, there’s nothing I would have changed about that, if I could.” I thought that about Damien Rice. I thought it a few times and I’m thinking it now. It was perfect.

FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)

Feature image by Mikki Gomez .

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Chris Singh is an Editor-At-Large at the AU review, loves writing about travel and hospitality, and is partial to a perfectly textured octopus. You can reach him on Instagram: @chrisdsingh.

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Damien Rice - Australia 2023

Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) , Melbourne Street, South Brisbane, Brisbane

• Mon 22 May 2023, 7:00pm

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• www.qpac.com.au/event/damienrice_23

Frontier Touring

Damien RiceAustralia 2023 Legendary Irish troubadour Damien Rice returns to Australia to play theatre dates around the country this May.

The beloved singer-songwriter, whose emotionally wrought songs defined a generation of 21st-century heartache, is riding high on a sold-out international tour and will make his Sydney Opera House debut on Friday 12 May. Rice then takes his sublime solo performance through Melbourne’s Hamer Hall, Geelong’s Costa Hall, Hobart’s Odeon Theatre, QPAC Concert Hall in Brisbane, and winding up at HOTA Theatre on the Gold Coast.

Having the unconventional tendency to prefer walking on stage with no setlist, Damien Rice commands complete attention as soon as he enters the room. A favourite of fans, critics and artists alike, Rice has garnered a reputation for his powerful live shows – tough and tender performances that have seen him develop an intimate rapport with fans

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