ALTHOUGH HE is no stranger to Galway, having played the city many times over the past four decades, Luka Bloom has never played The Crane Bar.
That is all set to change when the Co Kildare troubadour plays the Sea Road venue on Friday January 14 at 9pm, and as The Beatles said: “A splendid time is guaranteed for all”.
“Every gig is precious,” says Luka, “whether the Spa in Lisdoonvarna, Carre in Amsterdam, or the Melbourne Concert Hall, the privilege is the same, as is the commitment to the gig.”
The Galway show is part of Luka’s current Irish tour where he will be performing songs from his back catalogue, as well as from his most recent album Dreams in America, which features re-recorded versions of some of his best known songs. However he’s not planning to confine himself to any ‘greatest hits’ type circuit yet.
“I’m allergic to nostalgia,” he says. “Long nights reminiscing about the good old days are a bit of a yawn to me. I’m much more excited by the good now days, the next song, the next gig, the seed of the next record....and yet, perhaps it’s OK to press the pause button for a moment, and reflect a tiny bit on experiences over a period of time. Not dwell too long; just feel it again, pay respect to the places and the people.”
Many agree. As The Irish Times’ Siobhán Long said, Luke is “someone whose quest is far from over, but whose comfort in his own skin bears testament to a road well travelled.”
Tickets are €18/15 from The Crane on 091 - 587419 or www.thecranebar.com
