Gavin James to play Galway International Arts Festival in 2017

The ‘Bitter Pill', 'Nervous', 'Say Hello’ and ‘Book of Love’ sensation, who has amassed an army of fans around the globe with his ‘once in a generation’ voice and emotionally-charged live performances, will play the Absolut Big Top on Thursday 20 July in what is sure to be the gig of the summer. Ticktets for Gavin James are now on sale.

James has had a massive 2016, culminating in the biggest headline gig of his career at the 3Arena on Friday night, where he played to a maxed out 9,000-strong audience.

While it was, no doubt, the pinnacle of the last 12 months, it was just another milestone in a stellar year for the Dublin native, which has seen him play on BBC radio and France 5, named as a ‘Spotify Spotlight Artist of 2016’, and included in Buzzfeed’s ‘Artists to Look Out For in 2016’ list.

He also completed a major European headline tour, which started with three sold-out dates at the Olympia Theatre, supported Ed Sheeran, Kodaline and Sam Smith and performed at RTÉ’s Centenary Concert to mark the 100-year anniversary of the Easter Rising.

In the past, James has also supported Taylor Swift and, in November 2015, appeared on James Corden’s Late Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live and the US version of Dancing with the Stars.

James’ first release, the EP Say Hello, was a huge internet hit in 2012, and the title track won the Choice Music Prize Irish Song of the Year, while 2014 saw the release of the live album Live at Whelans.

James released his debut studio album Bitter Pill to rave reviews in 2015. The Irish Times described the album as being ‘rammed to the rafters with hooks and melody lines’, while Hot Press lauded his ‘once-in-a-generation voice’, announcing the arrival of ‘major new voice’

Recorded in LA, James worked with mega-producers Fraser T. Smith (Adele/Lily Allen/Britney Spears) and Cam Blackwood (Florence & the Machine). The album, which subsequently went platinum in Ireland, includes hits Say Hello, The Book of Love, For You and his current single, Bitter Pill. The title track, Bitter Pill also won the Choice Music Prize for Best Single released in 2015.

Commenting on the first announcement from the Festival, which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2017, Galway International Arts Festival CEO John Crumlish said: "The festival is delighted that Gavin James is the first announcement of the 2017 programme. We celebrate our 40th birthday next year and this will be the first of a series of announcements celebrating the best of Irish and international talent."

Gavin James will play the Absolut Big Top on Thursday 20 July 2017. Tickets priced at €35 are on sale now on giaf.ie and roisindubh.net.