Damien Rice's modesty and emotions

Positivus 2012
Salacgrīva, Latvia
June 21st 

Photo by Margarita Ogoļceva

The fact that Damien Rice’s performance has been long awaited is shown by the tightly compressed crowd shortly before his show as there seems to be no free place left and for sure, no chance to take the front row. No wonder, his concerts in America and Europe have been sold out. The Irish folk-musician who is not giving live performances that often is thus exceptionally welcomed on Positivus stage with his first ever concert in Latvia.  

No posh introductions and backgrounds, no luxury, it’s just Damien Rice with his guitar arriving on a stage in his humbleness and starting on with the first song The Professor. It’s followed by Delicate, Volcano, Elephant, Cannonball, Fool almost without any breaks between the songs except for Damien’s thankful smile from time to time. One song ends and the next one starts as if telling a story where each song would be a chapter that naturally leads to some continuation. 

For a moment, it feels this could happen anywhere; be it a large, crowded festival or an intimate evening among friends. The setting doesn’t matter as long as it’s Damien Rice who is unique, genuine and authentic making the atmosphere so special. He hardly speaks a word on a stage leaving an impression that he has the secondary role while his songs live their separate distinct life. It’s just like he has said in one of the interviews comparing his as creator’s role to the situation of parents when they have children. He is transmitting his music to others. His music that cries, laughs, screams, yells, feels. That all performed and felt by Damien Rice with his emotions for loneliness, sorrow, anger, love. 

Song by song we get to hear Cold Water, Hallelujah, I remember, Woman Like A Man and then it’s time to ‘close the curtains’ with The Blower’s Daughter. The last song is perceived with exaltation and cheering from the audience. The evening is over. Everyone is clapping hands and smiling including Damien Rice himself as if thanking to his own creativity and his songs that have made the evening unforgettable and immensely emotional.