The Delines are set to make a return to Kilkenny Roots Festival

Another successful summer festival season is coming to a close in Kilkenny, but already organisers are planning their programmes for 2025.

The Smithwick’s Kilkenny Roots Festival runs May 2 to 5 next year and a series of shows will go on sale in good time for the Christmas present market.

The festival will again feature many acts new to Kilkenny as well as some old favourites.

The Delines will make a welcome return on May 4th 2025 in support of their 4th album, out February 2025. This will be The Delines only Irish date next year.

Willy Vlautin has been a regular visitor to Kilkenny since his first visit in 2004 with his band, Richmond Fontaine. In recent years he has played here with his new project, The Delines, featuring the exquisite vocals of Amy Boone.

Their debut record, COLFAX, appeared in 2014 and surprised fans and critics alike. Evoking a beat-up Dusty Springfield or weary Rickie Lee Jones, COLFAX made over a dozen top ten year end lists. It was a four-year wait until their sophomore effort, THE IMPERIAL was released. Singer, Amy Boone spent much of that time in hospital beds recovering from
serious injuries sustained in a car accident in Austin, Texas. When she was just strong enough to stand she finished THE IMPERIAL, a record that spent two weeks on top of the UK official Americana charts with the band playing sold out shows across the UK and Europe. The band returned with their cinematic third album THE SEA DRIFT which Americana UK and BBC6 Gideon Coe both made their ‘Album of the Year’.

Willy Vlautin is no stranger to critical acclaim, enjoying cult success and rave reviews from the likes of the New York Times, Washington Post, Uncut, Rolling Stone and Mojo, both as a novelist with seven books under his belt. Two of his books have become major films with another currently in production with Netflix for release in 2025.

“It may seem strange that we are already announcing a gig for next May, but the band’s management are announcing next year’s tour this week,” said Festival Director, Gary Kehoe.

“Willy Vlautin and Richmond Fontaine was originally brought to Kilkenny by Tom Stapleton, the first Festival Director. John Cleere then booked both Richmond Fontaine/The Delines over the years and I’m delighted to bring them back in my first year as Festival Director.”

“The band has a huge following in Ireland and around Europe” said Gary.

“The fact that this will be their only Irish date in 2025 makes the show extra special and means it is bound to
attract huge interest from fans in Ireland and around Europe. We will have the tickets on sale shortly, along with some other exciting acts. Keep an eye on our website and social media for more details!”

kilkennyroots.com