CityLife

Damien's a writer with a rare talent

BUSKING your waythrough Europe seems an unlikely route to becoming an award winner. But that's exactly how folk singer Damien Rice was able to cram his head full of enough ideas to write a platinum-selling album and become an Irish singing sensation.

In 2001, Damien crooned his way into the public consciousness with the infectious Blower's Daughter, his tender message 'I can't take my eyes of you' making it a 'first dance' favourite for newlyweds, and the track was picked up and used commercially in a number of films and TV programmes.

He followed it was 2002 hit Cannonball, proving himself a rare musician in the industry - a writer able to churn out raw lyrics about real events and people, and take his soulful tunes to huge commerical success in the UK and overseas.

Dedicated

The news that this week Damien Rice and long-term collaborator Lisa Hannigan have decided to part company won't cause his dedicated fans to turn their backs on Rice. But if the crowd needs an incentive to get down to the show early, it's certainly the inclusion of fellow Irishman Fionn Regan to the bill as tonight's support act.

Born in Dublin, Fionn has an incredibly impressive debut album, The End of History, under his belt and a wealth of critical acclaim to boast about. Drawing, like Damien, on folklore and simple aesthetics, Fionn's acoustic melodies are not to be missed.

The show is sold out tonight, but for those of you who were too late, fear not, Damien will be back in October playing at the M.E.N. Arena.

Damien Rice plays the Manchester Apollo tonight (March 30). Fionn Regan supports. Tickets are sold out. He returns to play the M.E.N. Arena on Thursday, October 11. £23.50. Call the Box Office on 0870 060 1768 to book or click here .