Sandwick date lined up for classy O’Rourke

He has twice wowed Shetland audiences previously and contemporary singer-songwriter Declan O’Rourke is returning to the isles for a solo show at Sandwick’s Carnegie Hall.

The classy vocalist will be back in June having previously graced the Clickimin stage as part of Transatlantic Sessions in 2012 and then appearing at Mareel for his own headline show in the summer of 2014.

The 39-year-old, who lives in Dublin, has seen his work covered by a host of big name acts including Paul Weller – who described the song Galileo (Someone Like You) as “possibly the greatest song written in the last 30 years”.

O’Rourke will play at Carnegie Hall on Friday 17th June with support from singer-songwriters including Adam Guest.

His fourth album Gold Bars in the Sun, released last year, features the legendary John Prine, while he’ll also be drawing on songs from his earlier albums Since Kyabram (his enduring debut release which went double platinum in Ireland), Big Bad Beautiful World and Mag Pai Zai.

The show at Carnegie Hall, which is growing into one of the islands’ most popular venues, comes on the back of major dates including a headline show at London’s prestigious Bush Hall and a performance with a full orchestra at Dublin’s 1,500-capacity Vicar Street venue in May.

O’Rourke’s solo career has seen him share bills with names including Bob Dylan and Transatlantic Session performers including Raul Malo, Alison Krauss and Tim O’Brien.

He has also toured Europe in support of acts including Paulo Nutini, Snow Patrol, Teddy Thompson, The Cardigans, The Divine Comedy and Badly Drawn Boy.

Neil Riddell of promoters Ragged Wood said it would be “a great opportunity to enjoy Declan’s beautifully crafted songs and easy stage presence”.