Villagers to celebrate Darling Arithmetic anniversary with special acoustic shows in Europe

In celebration of a decade since the release of their critically acclaimed third album, Darling Arithmetic, Villagers, led by Conor O’Brien, are scheduled to perform a series of special acoustic shows. The performances are planned for late May in three major European cities: London, Dublin and Paris.

Darling Arithmetic, which debuted in April 2015, quickly climbed to the top of the charts in Ireland and was later honoured with the Ivor Novello Award for Best Album. The album, known for its exploration of themes such as love, relationships, obsession and loneliness, followed the band’s Mercury Prize-shortlisted album Awayland.

O’Brien, who single-handedly wrote, recorded, produced and mixed the album in Malahide, crafted songs that resonate deeply on personal levels. The album’s minimalist instrumentation accentuates the emotional weight of the lyrics, allowing listeners to fully engage with the music’s intimate nuances.

The lead single from the album, Courage, delves into the theme of self-love with poignant lyrics: “It took a little time to get where I wanted / It took a little time to get free / It took a little time to be honest / It took a little time to be me.” Another track, Hot Scary Summer, reflects on the aftermath of a troubled relationship amidst societal challenges, mentioning “all the pretty young homophobes looking out for a fight”. The song Everything I Am Is Yours stands out as a tender expression of devotion and has recently gained further attention through its feature in the film We Live In Time, starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield.

The upcoming acoustic shows are expected to provide an intimate setting for fans to reconnect with these songs. The tour dates are as follows: 23^rd May at the Philharmonic in Paris, which is already sold out; 27^th May at Cadogan Hall in London; and 29^th May at The Helix in Dublin. Tickets for the London and Dublin shows will go on sale on 24^th January.

These performances offer an opportunity for both new listeners and long-time fans to experience Villagers’s music in a unique and personal setting and are likely to be a poignant celebration of an album that has left a lasting impact on its audience.

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Image: Andrew Whitton

For further information, visit Villagers’s website here.

Watch the video for the single Everything I Am Is Yours here: