Blair Dunlop, described in these pages as ‘one of our foremost singer-songwriters’, has announced his long-awaited 5th studio album, to be supported by a 25-date UK tour in April and May 2024. Produced by Jim Moray, Let’s Get Out of the Rain will be Blair’s first Studio album since 2018’s Notes from an Island. Where ‘Notes’ was an introspective analysis of Brexit Britain, the new collection is a celebration of spring, newness and freedom. Songs of metamorphosis and wide-screen road trips prevail.
Recorded live at Factory Studios, Bristol, in October 2023, we are given our first taster with Midday Mass, on which Blair shared the following:
“It’s been five years since my last record, comfortably my longest gap between releases, so it feels really good to be able to put this out in the world. Jim Moray is producing, and that’s very exciting as he’s someone I’ve admired for many years. He was one of the reasons I first got into traditional music in my teens. Since then, my personal style has evolved, but there are aspects of traditional storytelling that seep into my original works. I would say that Midday Mass is a reflection of that. It’s a song about a café back in my hometown of Chesterfield, but I guess that it’s a vehicle for a social commentary as much as anything else.
Overall, I would say the sound of the record is more positive than my previous work. That’s due, in part, to the world opening up post-pandemic, and is ultimately born from a will to connect with people and get out into the world again. The industry hasn’t fully recovered yet, but it is a blessing to be able to tour in any capacity again. Freedom is a theme that runs throughout (unintentionally), and I reckon that’s reflected musically as well as lyrically. I’ve reached a point in my career where I just want to make the music I want to make, and give less consideration to where it may sit in terms of stylings and genre. That’s an empowering place to be and it opens up a world of sonic possibilities.”
It’s only after hearing Midday Mass that I realised how much I’ve missed hearing Blair’s music. His songwriting is second to none, and the social commentary that he mentions above is very present throughout, his words lingering in your mind long after the final notes. Vocally, he delivers his words with utmost sincerity while the arrangements, joined here by Holly Brandon on backing vocals and violin and Archie Churchill-Moss on Button Accordion, are spot on; Midday Mass is also our Song of the Day.
Blair has been hailed as one of the UK’s most engaging songwriters since he burst into the folk scene with his debut Blight and Blossom (2012) BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards followed along with critical acclaim. In 2016 Blair self-released Gilded Wings and received wider acclaim and BBC Radio 2 playlisting for singles ‘The Egoist’ and ‘356’. Breakthrough tours of Australia followed, and he is now firmly established as a household name amongst respected British songwriters.
UK Album Tour 2024
Blair will tour 25 UK shows from 11th April to 18th May 2024. Shows will be solo unless stated, and he will announce tour support later this year.
11/04/2024 Durham. The Old Cinema Launderette
12/04/2024 Glasgow. The Hug and Pint
13/04/2024 Cottingham. The Back Room
14/04/2024 Robin Hood’s Bay. The Old School House
17/04/2024 Bristol. The Jam Jar
18/04/2024 Cricklade. The Old Stables
19/04/2024 Brighton. The Folklore Rooms
25/04/2024 Leamington. Temperance
26/04/2024 Bury. The Met
27/04/2024 Kendal. The Roundhouse Theatre
28/04/2024 Leeds. Hyde Park Folk Club
01/05/2024 Birmingham. Kitchen Garden Cafe
02/05/2024 Sheffield. The Greystones
03/05/2024 Chesham. The Drawingroom
05/05/2024 Shrewsbury. The Hive
07/05/2024 Cambridge. The Junction
09/05/2024 London. The Camden Club
10/05/2024 Guildford. The Star Inn
11/05/2024 Milton Keynes. The Stables
12/05/2024 Cromer. Folk on the Pier *Full Band Show
15/05/2024 Liverpool. The Philharmonic Music Room
16/05/2024 Cardiff. Acapela
17/05/2024 Truro. The Old Bakery Studios
18/05/2024 Bournemouth. St Andrew’s church
Tickets: https://blairdunlop.com/event-category/lets-get-out-of-the-rain-uk-album-tour-24/