Singer embarking on first trip outside his native country set to perform in popular Mayo town

For American singer-songwriter Marc Delgado, music has always been about connection, to stories, to strangers, to survival.

This August, that connection takes him across the Atlantic for the very first time, as he embarks on a serendipitous debut tour of Ireland, starting in The Clock Tavern in Westport on August 9 and culminating in a support slot for the iconic Hothouse Flowers at Connolly’s of Leap on August 16. Delgado will also be performing in Howth and Kenmare while also playing at Little Whelan’s in Dublin. You can find more information about Marc’s upcoming gigs here while access to tickets for the Westport show can be got by clicking here. 

“Music and Stories have always been my lifeline”, says Delgado. “Even at my lowest I was connected to some book or song in a way that kept me from sinking into the abyss. Being on stage and performing has been an extension of that. It’s a way for me to connect and feel something real. It has given me a sense of purpose.”

The invitation to tour Ireland came unexpectedly, in what Delgado describes as a “chance encounter in a New Jersey Brewery car park” with Irish musician Declan O’Brien who will also play on the night in Westport. That moment sparked a series of events that now sees Delgado crossing the Atlantic for the first time to share his music with Irish audiences.

READ MORE: French musicians enjoy a warm west Mayo welcome

“Music has saved my life many times over. Every good thing that’s happened to me has come from it and from the people I’ve met because of it,” he reflects.

The American singer’s live sets are a tapestry of music and storytelling. Described as part folkie, part poet, raconteur, and stand-up comic, Delgado blends stark acoustic arrangements with deeply personal songwriting to offer up cinematic, psychedelic snapshots of his life, weaving tales of loss, survival, redemption, and love.

His recent studio album, Wildwood Road, a unique blend of noirish folk songcraft and spoken word, delves into his days of addiction and violence, living out of motels up and down California’s San Joaquin Valley. Having performed extensively across the US, these Irish shows mark the beginning of a new chapter for the songwriter.

“I've never left North America,” Delgado admits. “So this is huge. It’s wild. I have no idea what to expect and that’s the best part.” Marc's latest single 'Stuck on the Radio' is set to be released on all streaming platforms on tomorrow, July 11.

For more information, visit marcxdelgado.com.