Kevin Bronson on April 26th, 2015

0

Damien Rice needed only his voice, guitar and storytelling abilities to hold rapt a sold-out, season-opening crowd at the Greek Theatre on Friday night. Rice, who returned in November with the Rick Rubin-produced “My Favourite Faded Fantasy,” his first album in eight years, performed two hours, telling stories about his native Ireland and inspiring many a sing-along, including dividing the crowd into three parts during “Volcano” and singing the fourth part himself. The 41-year-old played six songs off his new album, and five from his 2002 solo debut “O,” including “Delicate” and “Amie” in the middle of the set preceding “Volcano.” The highlight came at the end, when a spectator who was singing along loudly to “Long Long Way” was invited onstage to join in. He finally did, with Rice and singer-songwriter Markéta Irglová (one-half of Swell Season, who opened the night) joining in.

Photos by David Benjamin