‘Following rave reviews, standing ovations and an IFTA nomination for Best Documentary Break Out Pictures are delighted to announce the on-demand release of Ross Killeen’s debut film Love Yourself Today.
‘The film will be released on March 14th to stream or download-to-own on various platforms including Google Play, Virgin Media, IFI @Home, Volta, Amazon Prime, Apple TV/iTunes, Microsoft Films & TV and Vimeo.
‘Love Yourself Today centres around the music of Irish singer songwriter Damien Dempsey but also turns the lens onto his fans. Every Christmas in Dublin, the crowds gather for Damo’s Christmas gig at Vicar Street. Through the prism of the concert, we meet Dempsey and three members of the audience. We hear their stories, unravel their grief and find the light in the darkness through communal art. For them,these shows have become a cathartic ritual, a safe space where emotions can be laid bare.’
Last night,Damien Dempsey played the Iveagh Gardens, Dublin 2.
So how did it go?
Damo fan Johnny Keenan (him off the telly) went along.
Johnny (top, outside the Iveagh Gardens) writes:
Damien Dempsey brought his Soulsun and it did shine in the centre of the capital last night.
He carped the fupp out of the diem from the get-go with ‘Seize The Day’, and for at least another 20 songs ( I lost count because I was in the moments man) he had the capacity crowd singing all their cares away.
Everything the Donaghmede native poured from his being came from his heart mind and soul. He left it all on the stage. It was soaked up by an upbeat well-oiled collective that came from all over the island and beyond in anticipation of some spiritual fulfillment and a good ole sing song.
From a culchie viewpoint on looking at the 2 sides of Dublin it was abundantly clear that a diverse divided city never seemed so united.
The power of music, man.
Patience, sorrow, loss, heartbreak, understanding ,respect, rebellion and love evoked the emotion from the front of stage to the eyes of the onlooking public. This punter was almost carried away on a flood of thy tears.
All the classics got an airing as well as a careful selection off the latest album, ‘Soulsun’.
In a time where soundbites platitudes and fake news are the views of the mainstream it is so refreshing to see hear and feel one of Ireland’s own still shining bright with the art of story through song, while galvanising the downtrodden via the process we know best. Folk songs for the Folks!
Nothing too fancy but still keeping it reel with 6 tremendous musicians behind him. The beautiful backing vocals & harmonies of Pauline Scanlon were gorgeous.
Stand out tune was ‘Soft Rain’. A shout out to our brothers and sisters abroad akin (imo) to Oró Sé Do Bheath Abhaile. “When Ya Coming Home, My Friend ?”.
Keeping our proud tradition alive while letting ourselves and the world know that when it comes to song and true troubadours the Irish aspire and inspire greatly.
We have to look past the bullshite to see the soul in ourselves and each other. That’s what a Damien Dempsey gig essentially is all about. Last night was special though. Dublin expect and respect The Tribal Warrior.
All in all it would be fair to say, twas All Good!
Yeats’ Cottage (the poet’s childhood home), Howth, Co Dublin.
Damien Dempsey recording a video [to be set in various Dublin locations including the Martello Tower, Sandycove, Co Dublin] for a new song promoting Dublin’s bid to become the European Capital of Culture in 2010.
The song, which features lines from W.B. Yeats’ poem The Death of Cúchulainn, will be released on Saturday June 13 to coincide with Yeats’ 150th birthday.
Damien is kindly playing a fundraiser for The London Irish Centre’s welfare work on St. Patrick’s Night. Each day we work with a cross-section of the entire community, assisting those who are experiencing crises in housing, debt, employment or health concerns, as well as providing necessary support for both older Irish emigrants, and new arrivals to the city…
Damien Dempsey at Shepherds Bush Empire tickets here
