Kilkenny musical treasure included as The Frames announce venues for intimate national tour

One of Ireland’s most beloved bands, The Frames, are returning to Kilkenny to pay tribute to a local venue that played a vital role in shaping their early career.

The band will play Cleere’s on February 11 as part of a series of intimate shows in local venues. Other shows will be played in the Spirit Store, Dundalk; Dolan’s Warehouse, Limerick and DeBarras, Clonakilty.

At a time when Irish artists continue to excel on the world stage, these shows shine a spotlight on the small and medium-sized venues that form the foundation of Ireland’s live music ecosystem, and which are now under increasing threat.

These grassroots venues are the training grounds for artists, technicians, promoters, and crews. They are cultural hubs, employers, tourism drivers, and community spaces. Yet across Ireland - as across the UK, Europe and the US - many are operating on unsustainable margins, facing rising costs, reduced touring circuits, and mounting financial pressure.

This Frames tour has been organised by the venues and band to act as a wake-up call. It aims to be part of a wider ongoing conversation about the real hurdles these venues face to keep delivering quality shows. For The Frames, these shows are an opportunity to give something back to the venues that helped shape their journey.

“These are the rooms where we learn to tell stories and learn the magic of the intimate spaces,” said Glen Hansard. “Only from there can we take it to a bigger stage with any confidence.”

The Frames’ live line-up includes Glen Hansard (vocals, guitar), Colm Mac Con Iomaire (violin), Joseph Doyle (bass), Robert Bochnik (guitar) and Graham Hopkins (drums). 

In the spirit of the tour, a different local upcoming artist will be offered to support The Frames on each of the nights in each respective venue.

With strictly limited capacity, these shows offer fans a rare opportunity to see The Frames up close, while underscoring the role small to medium sized venues play in Ireland’s rich cultural life.

Tickets from www.cleeres.com