Van Morrison will return to Belfast's Europa for two Christmas shows

Blues musician Van Morrison has announced a return to Belfast’s Europa Hotel for two Christmas shows in his hometown, over a year after Covid restrictions led to a gig in the legendary hotel being cancelled.

The Christmas performances, titled 'Life Ain’t No Dress Rehearsal', will take place over two nights on December 4 and 5 at the world-famous hotel, which is part of the Hastings Hotels group.

The intimate ‘jazz club’ cabaret-style shows will see the iconic singer-songwriter perform a back catalogue of past hits like 'Brown Eyed Girl' and 'Days Like This' as well as songs from his later albums and collaborations.

Tickets go on sale today on ticketmaster.ie starting from £175 (€200), which includes a champagne drinks reception and dinner.

The Europa Hotel has hosted many prestigious events and international celebrities including musicians Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello and Lionel Richie as well as President Bill Clinton when he stayed there in 1995 and 1998.

Van Morrison recently announced two intimate Belfast gigs to celebrate the forthcoming release of his new album, Moving On Skiffle (out March 10th, 2023), inspired by his love for the genre dating back to childhood.

Special intimate album launch shows will take place at The Stables, Milton Keynes (March 13th, 14th and 15th) and Whitla Hall, Belfast (April 6th and 7th).

Moving On Skiffle finds Morrison taking a homemade style that exploded across Britain in the mid-1950s and infusing it with sophistication. The 23-track album goes to the heart of the music Van Morrison has inhabited ever since he was six years old, containing songs that underline the importance of freedom and living on your own terms.

Van Morrison says, “I was still in school when I performed with a skiffle band – a couple of guitars, washboard, tea-chest bass. I was already familiar with Lead Belly’s recordings so when I heard Lonnie Donegan’s version of ‘Rock Island Line’ I intuitively understood what he was creating, I knew that it was what I wanted to do. It was like an explosion. This record retranslates songs from that era.

"Chas McDevitt’s book is where to start when it comes to the history of skiffle. From the very beginning with Lead Belly and the jug bands laying the foundations through to Lonnie Donegan’s influence, and Chas McDevitt’s skiffle group, it’s all in there.”