Van To Appear At Ireland's Folk, Root & Indie Festival

Knocknarena, Sligo, Ireland

Sunday October 28, 2012

LYRICS AND POETRY: EMPHASIS ON WORDS

VAN MORRISON will premiere new show at SLIGO LIVE

Legendary Irish artist VAN MORRISON will premiere an exciting new show when SLIGO LIVE, Ireland ’s folk, roots and indie music festival returns for its eighth year this October. In what promises to be a really special evening, Van will present a show entitled “LYRICS AND POETRY: EMPHASIS ON WORDS”.

This intimate and unique performance on Sunday 28th October at IT Sligo's Knocknarea Arena will see Van Morrison accompanied by his rhythm section performing songs with a strong emphasis on words, together with readings from his poetry. Audiences will also be treated to previously unseen work by the creative genius. Songs from his albums, “Astral Weeks”, No Guru, No Method, No Teacher” and “Hymns to the Silence” will feature in this very special show. Tickets go on sale on Friday June 29th.

At their best Van Morrison’s live performances are regarded as transcendental and inspired and over the years many of his recordings have been widely viewed among the greatest ever made, with several included in ‘best album lists’. Since his international breakthrough with Them in 1964, Van the Man has been carving out a career as one of the most respected and influential artists in popular music. Van Morrison has been awarded many prestigious accolades over the years which include Grammys and Brit Awards; being inducted into the Hall of Fame; An OBE; French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres - the list is endless. Perhaps the ultimate achievement for a Northern Irish East Belfast boy, was the selection of his song ‘Days Like This’ as the anthem of the Northern Irish Peace Process.

Having been greatly influenced by his father’s eclectic record collection which incorporated blues, folk, country, soul jazz and R’n B Van Morrison fused them into his own unique style –as he was always noted for his tremendous musicality within his work. His compositions also have strong lyrical component with many songs showing the influence of the visionary poets, W.B.Yeats and William Blake.
The choice of Sligo , the spiritual home of Yeats, to launch this new show placing the emphasis on poetry and lyrics is no coincidence. Morrison shares many of Yeats’ touches including the references to their iconic youthful haunts, Morrison’s use of Cyprus Avenue and Orangefield in his Belfast homeland for Yeats’ and Sligo place names Hazelwood or Knocknarea.

Van Morrison is playing a very special intimate show and Sligo Live is a unique opportunity for music lovers to enjoy a magical musical experience with a genuine legend. Tickets to this one off concert go on sale from this website on Friday June 29th at 9pm (€47.50 plus €1 Service charge). Numbers are strictly limited so don’t wait around. Limit of 8 tickets per order.

A limited number of weekend tickets at €112 will enable music lovers to enjoy all of Sligo Live including Van Morrison and Joan Armatrading.