Reviews

Giving serious thought to his set because of the size, and with plenty of candles and joss sticks wafting the stage front, he beefed-up things when it mattered, shifting from his mellow ballads, on both piano and guitar, to rock excursions that recalled his early rock days, it was a triumphant night.

Damien Rice (c) Elly Roberts

Just like his albums, it was a slow start – Rice, guitar and not much more for the first few songs, including the excellent Then Go, before his band increased to four on the divine Older Chests and What I Am To You, with the sublime cello hitting the heart strings, as it does on many of his sad songs.

Gradually his confidence grew. He engaged more and more, showing a sharp wit, in contrast with his melancholic musical template, drawing roars of laughter to the very end, which was, by any standard, unusually spectacular.

He teased us, building his set to many highs and lows. Dipping into 9, he played the uplifting last single, Dogs. The sombre but achingly beautiful Amie drew us in, as the sweeping cello rang around the cavernous arena, before he moved onto the piano for, well, Unplayed Piano, which included a tear-jerking tribute to Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Damien Rice (c) Elly Roberts

Midway through, he asked if we wanted a fast song for a change. Somebody, as they do, shouted "La Bamba!" Brilliantly, that’s what we got, sung in Spanish, to roars of laughter and cheers, followed by the statement, "a few years ago I’d have done your wedding do for £300. Missed out there, didn’t yah ?"

Then came the masterstroke. Moving away from the mic, and another step forward, he sang Cannonball front stage in palpable silence under the spotlight. We soon twigged: we were to join in, and we did - a stunning move.

Running out of time, fears grew that he might not give us what we all wanted, the biggie – The Blower’s Daughter... predictably, it was a joyous experience for us all, and a kind of relief of sorts, when it came.

With band gone for the finale, Rice turned storyteller and comedian, with an acted out lead-in for Cheers Darling, throwing himself completely into the roll of a drunk, sinking four glasses of red. A standing ovation resulted in a wave, a bow, a goodbye and he was gone.