Galway International Arts Festival and Róisín Dubh are delighted to announce that Irish singer songwriter Gavin James will return to the Festival Big Top at Galway International Arts Festival in 2018.
Gavin James has established himself as one of Ireland’s leading artists. Since the release of his debut album Bitter Pill, he has sold over 2 million singles worldwide, amassed ½ billion streams on Spotify alone and performed over 500 shows to over 3.2 million people at festivals and sold out tours across US, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Australia.
The Bitter Pill, Say Hello, Nervous, and For You creator has amassed an army of fans around the globe with his ‘once in a generation’ voice and emotionally-charged live performances.
He has also found fans in many of his fellow musical peers, supporting Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Kodaline and Sam Smith and collaborating with Alan Walker (on the summer smash Tired) and Australian Hip Hop act Bliss n Eso (on the Aria Award nominated Moments). He also performed at RTÉ’s Centenary Concert to mark the 100-year anniversary of the Easter Rising.
The Dublin native has appeared on James Corden’s Late Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live and the US version of Dancing with the Stars and played on BBC radio and France 5. He was named as a ‘Spotify Spotlight Artist of 2016’, and included in Buzzfeed’s ‘Artists to Look Out For in 2016’ list.
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 Bitter Pill. The title track, Bitter Pill also won the Choice Music Prize for Best Single released in 2015.
James has had a massive 2017, culminating in the release of his new single Hearts On Fire, the first track to be lifted off his second album, due in the spring.
Produced with Steve Robson (One Direction, John Legend, James Bay) and co-written with Sam Romans (Little Mix, Mary J Blige, Rag n Bone Man) the song, complete with its infectious chants and hooky chorus, is already a fan favourite.
Gavin James sold out the Festival Big Top in 2017 and his 2018 gig is sure to be just as popular. He will play the Festival Big Top on Friday 20 July 2018. Tickets priced at €35 will go on sale on Wednesday 07 February at 9am on giaf.ie and roisindubh.net.
Galway International Arts Festival’s Festival Big Top 2018 line-up is set to be the biggest in the festival’s 41-year history, with acts already announced, including English ska band Madness (on sale this morning at 9am), alternative rock band Walking on Cars, the hugely popular Kodaline (sold out), and indie sensation Caribou.
Galway International Arts Festival would like to acknowledge the support of its principal funding agencies the Arts Council and Fáilte Ireland and Festival Partners Ulster Bank and NUI Galway.
Photo credit: Ryan Jafarzadeh
