The Galway International Arts Festival has announced that Robert Plant and his new acoustic band, Saving Grace, will perform in the intimate setting of St. Nicholas' Church on July 18, as part of this summer's festival programme.

Saving Grace performed publicly for the first time earlier this year, and have since been performing for small, intimate audiences at theatres and festivals around the UK.

The group features Suzi Dian (vocals), Oli Jefferson (percussion), Tony Kelsey (mandolin, baritone and acoustic guitars), Robert Plant (vocals) and Matt Worley (banjo, acoustic and baritone guitars, and cuatro). With an approach that’s been described as bluesy and folk-inspired, Saving Grace have quickly gained a reputation for their expressive sound.

Special guests The 4 of Us will provide support. The rock band from Co. Down are best known for chart-topping albums in the late 1980s and early 1990s with songs like ‘Mary’ and ‘She Hits Me’.

Tickets priced at €34.50 will go on sale at 9am on Friday, 3 May, and can be purchased here.

First announcements for this year's festival have included the likes of Burt Bacharach, Macy Gray, ORBITAL, Villagers, John Grant, The Academic, The Coronas, Two Door Cinema Club and Bell X1, who will all play the Heineken Big Top.

Very special music event for #GIAF19 🎉

Saving Grace, the newest project from @RobertPlant, will perform in St. Nicholas’ Church on Thursday 18 July. Tickets on sale Fri 3 May: https://t.co/E6Vksk0ttM @nuigalway @wildatlanticway @GalwayCityCo @galway2020

— Galway International Arts Festival (@GalwayIntArts) April 29, 2019