Blair Dunlop begins the campaign for his 5th studio album announcing 25 UK tour dates in April and May 2024. Let’s Get Out of the Rain will be Blair’s first Studio album since 2018 (Notes from and Island). Where ‘Notes’ was an introspective analysis of Brexit Britain, the new collection is a celebration of spring, newness and freedom. Songs of metamorphosis and wide screen road trips prevail.

Blair has been hailed as one of the UK’s most accomplished songwriters since he burst into the folk scene with his debut Blight & Blossom (2012). BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards followed along with critical acclaim. In 2016 Blair released on his own label (Gilded Wings) and received wider acclaim and BBC Radio 2 playlisting for singled ‘The Egoist’ and ‘356’. Appearances at Glastonbury and the major Folk Festivals followed, along with breakthrough tours of Australia; and Blair is now firmly established as a household name amongst respected British songwriters.

On the new collection of songs and the album Blair says:

“It’s been 5 years since my last record, comfortably my longest gap between releases, so it feels really good to be able to put this out in the world. Jim Moray is producing, and that’s very exciting as he’s someone I’ve admired for many years. He was one of the reasons I first got into traditional music in my teens. Since then, my personal style has evolved, but there are aspects of traditional storytelling that seep into my original works. I would say that Midday Mass is a reflection of that. It’s a song about a café back in my hometown of Chesterfield, but I guess that it’s a vehicle for a social commentary as much as anything else.

Overall, I would say the sound of the record is more positive than my previous work. That’s due, in part, to the world opening up post-pandemic, and is ultimately born from a will to connect with people and get out into the world again. The industry hasn’t fully recovered yet, but it is a blessing to be able to tour in any capacity again. Freedom is a theme that runs throughout (unintentionally), and I reckon that’s reflected musically as well as lyrically. I’ve reached a point in my career where I just want to make the music I want to make, and give less consideration to where it may sit in terms of stylings and genre. That’s an empowering place to be and it opens up a world of sonic possibilities.”

Blair will tour 25 UK shows from 11^th April to 18^th May 2024.  Shows will be solo unless stated and he will announce tour support later this year.

“Dunlop is an adept guitarist whose epic songwriting instincts prevail ….” MOJO

“a vital bridge between Brit folk’s first and latest flowerings” Q Magazine

“a massively impressive collection of songs from a young man with talent to burn” Daily Telegraph . Australia.

‘Blair is a true artist in his prime, as is wholly evident on this beautiful record. He has it all; a wry turn of phrase in his words, barbed & moving within a second, seriously demonic guitar skills that belie his youthful looks (curses under breath) & a voice like some sort of melancholy angel. But most of all you will hear just great songs. It’s been my honour to help him realise these sonic diamonds; I believe the world is his for the plundering!’ Ed Harcourt (Producer of ‘Notes From an Island’)

photo credit: Ania Shrimpton

Presented in partnership with Cambridge Folk Festival