Damien Rice is playing four gigs in Iceland on November 4 and 5, which will be recorded for possible use on his new album, which has an environmental theme.
“Damien has been here often, both to play and relax,” promoter Kári Sturluson tells the country’s Morgunbladid newspaper. “He likes it here where he seeks energy and artistic inspiration. Therefore, he wants to record both audio and video with an Icelandic audience, hoping that some of the songs will be of good enough quality to be included on his next album. So he will perform some songs for the first time.
“Once he has finished playing,” Sturluson continues, “he’s going to give the audience a chance to chat and ask questions. So it will be a cosy and personal experience.”
The capacity for each show is just 90 people, with the location being kept secret until a few hours beforehand. More details will be released soon on damienrice.com.
Prior to nipping off to Reykjavik, Damien joins Gary Barlow, Rob Brydon, Jimmy Carr, Dara O Briain and David Walliams on November 2 for a CARE International fundraiser in the London Brixton Academy, which is being organised by his second cousin David Arnold.
“I have wanted to do this concert from the day I met a 20-year-old woman in Rwanda who was orphaned at 14, is HIV positive and has to look after her two younger brothers,” Arnold says. “Without CARE’s support she would be unable to keep them in school, feed them or keep a roof over their heads. I have asked my colleagues from the music and comedy world to get together to help raise money and awareness of the amazing work CARE does all over the world.”
Tickets priced £30 are available from ticketmaster.co.uk.