The Frames will play a series of intimate shows across Ireland this February to highlight the importance of grassroots music venues and how they helped shape the band's early career.
The band, fronted by Glen Hansard, will play the Spirit Store in Dundalk on 4 February, followed by Dolan’s Warehouse in Limerick on 8 February, DeBarra’s in Clonakilty on 9 February and Cleere’s in Kilkenny on 11 February.
Tickets go on sale 11am this Friday 16 January via the individual venues.
The tour aims to shine a spotlight on the small and medium-sized venues that form the foundation of Ireland’s live music ecosystem and comes as smaller venues are under increasing threat from a multitude of factors, including rising costs and reduced touring circuits.
A different local upcoming artist will be offered to support The Frames on each of the nights in each respective venue.
This rare national tour by the band, who have released albums such as Fitzcarraldo, Dance the Devil, For The Birds, and Burn The Maps over their three-decade career, has been organised by the venues and band "to act as a wake-up call" and to open up "a wider ongoing conversation about the real hurdles these venues face to keep delivering quality shows".
"These are the rooms where we learn to tell stories and learn the magic of the intimate spaces," Hansard said. "Only from there can we take it to a bigger stage with any confidence."
Those running Ireland’s grassroots venues say the tour arrives at a critical moment.
"Small and mid-sized venues have played a crucial role in nurturing Irish talent for decades, often without the recognition they deserve," said Ray Blackwell of DeBarra’s.
"Today, many of these venues are struggling to survive. If they close their doors, they won't reopen, taking with them the vital pathways for future artists, crews, and entire communities.
"We are thrilled to welcome back The Frames to DeBarras, almost 30 years since their first performance here. The return of an established artist is profoundly meaningful for a small venue, as it reciprocates the belief and support that independent spaces provide to emerging talent at the beginning of their careers."
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan said, "I understand the vital role that grassroots venues play in Ireland’s cultural, creative and music ecosystem.
"In recognition of their importance, I launched the Grassroots Music Venue Support Scheme last year to help protect and sustain these venues. I am committed to supporting this important network and a second scheme is due to operate in 2026 which again will be open to independent venues nationwide to support their vital cultural activity."
The Frames and the venues hope the new tour will help build momentum around practical solutions, including:
Cultural status protection for our established grassroots venues.,
A levy on large-scale and stadium tickets to support grassroots venues: Following the Music Venue Trust (UK) example, the venues propose that from all ticket sales on every large-scale and stadium ticket in Ireland a €1 levy should be donated towards a grassroots venue fund, ring-fenced to support grassroots venues.
VAT Abolition: removing VAT on tickets for small independent grassroots venues, in line with existing exemptions for many arts venues in Ireland
Business Rates Reform: revising business rates to better reflect the cultural, economic and community value grassroots venues provide.
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