Blair Dunlop begins the campaign for his 5th studio album announcing 25 UK tour dates in April and May 2024. Let’s Get Out of the Rain will be Blair’s first Studio album since 2018 (Notes from and Island). Where ‘Notes’ was an introspective analysis of Brexit Britain, the new collection is a celebration of spring, newness and freedom. Songs of metamorphosis and wide screen road trips prevail.
‘Blair is a true artist in his prime, as is wholly evident on this beautiful record. He has it all; a wry turn of phrase in his words, barbed & moving within a second, seriously demonic guitar skills that belie his youthful looks (curses under breath) & a voice like some sort of melancholy angel. But most of all you will hear just great songs. It’s been my honour to help him realise these sonic diamonds; I believe the world is his for the plundering!’
Ed Harcourt (Producer of ‘Notes From an Island’)
Blair has been hailed as one of the UK’s most accomplished songwriters since he burst into the folk scene with his debut Blight & Blossom (2012). BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards followed along with critical acclaim. In 2016 Blair released on his own label (Gilded Wings) and received wider acclaim and BBC Radio 2 playlisting for singled ‘The Egoist’ and ‘356’. Appearances at Glastonbury and the major Folk Festivals followed, along with breakthrough tours of Australia; and Blair is now firmly established as a household name amongst respected British songwriters.
On the new collection of songs and the album Blair says:
“It’s been 5 years since my last record, comfortably my longest gap between releases, so it feels really good to be able to put this out in the world. Jim Moray is producing, and that’s very exciting as he’s someone I’ve admired for many years. He was one of the reasons I first got into traditional music in my teens. Since then, my personal style has evolved, but there are aspects of traditional storytelling that seep into my original works. I would say that Midday Mass is a reflection of that. It’s a song about a café back in my hometown of Chesterfield, but I guess that it’s a vehicle for a social commentary as much as anything else.
Overall, I would say the sound of the record is more positive than my previous work. That’s due, in part, to the world opening up post-pandemic, and is ultimately born from a will to connect with people and get out into the world again. The industry hasn’t fully recovered yet, but it is a blessing to be able to tour in any capacity again. Freedom is a theme that runs throughout (unintentionally), and I reckon that’s reflected musically as well as lyrically. I’ve reached a point in my career where I just want to make the music I want to make, and give less consideration to where it may sit in terms of stylings and genre. That’s an empowering place to be and it opens up a world of sonic possibilities.”
Blair will tour 25 UK shows from 11th April to 18th May 2024. Shows will be solo unless stated and he will announce tour support later this year.
Tour Dates as follows:
11/04/2024 Durham. The Old Cinema Launderette
12/04/2024 Glasgow. The Hug and Pint
13/04/2024 Cottingham. The Back Room
14/04/2024 Robin Hood’s Bay. The Old School House
17/04/2024 Bristol. The Jam Jar
18/04/2024 Cricklade. The Old Stables
19/04/2024 Brighton. The Folklore Rooms
25/04/2024 Leamington. Temperance
26/04/2024 Bury. The Met
27/04/2024 Kendal. The Roundhouse Theatre
28/04/2024 Leeds. Hyde Park Folk Club
01/05/2024 Birmingham. Kitchen Garden Cafe
02/05/2024 Sheffield. The Greystones
03/05/2024 Chesham. The Drawingroom
05/05/2024 Shrewsbury. The Hive
07/05/2024 Cambridge. The Junction
09/05/2024 London. The Camden Club
10/05/2024 Guildford. The Star Inn
11/05/2024 Milton Keynes. The Stables
12/05/2024 Cromer. Folk on the Pier *Full Band Show
15/05/2024 Liverpool. The Philharmonic Music Room
16/05/2024 Cardiff. Acapela
17/05/2024 Truro. The Old Bakery Studios
18/05/2024 Bournemouth. St Andrew’s church
Ticket Link here: lets-get-out-of-the-rain-uk-album-tour-24
For further information please visit: https://blairdunlop.com/
