The Divine Comedy are frankly a sensation. Their new album 'Office Politics' was released in early June and we were delighted to invite the band in for a McLoone Session.
It’s the follow-up to the acclaimed top ten 2016 album ‘Foreverland’. Neil will play four UK and Ireland instores this June as well as 11 dates this October, including a show at Dublin's Bord Gais Energy Theatre on 6th October.
Listen to the podcast of the session by just pressing play!
The McLoone Sessions every Wednesday 9pm
Neil expertly narrates the quirky and alliterative story of ‘Norman and Norma’, a heroically normal couple from Norfolk to a typically sophisticated and emotive 80’s influenced soundscape. “I didn't want my couple to go quietly into that goodnight, and I wanted to have some reason behind why I chose their names.” Neil reflects. “Then it occurred to me that they might find new life and vigour in joining one of those historical re-enactment societies. The idea of Norman and Norma donning helmets and chainmail and hurling themselves into bloodthirsty medieval combat brought a smile to my face.”
Office Politics is a 16 track tour de force full of inventive, timeless music peopled with a typically irreverent cast of characters. “It has synthesizers. And songs about synthesizers,” Neil says. “But don’t panic. It also has guitars, orchestras, accordions, and songs about love and greed.” But Office Politics central characters are the machines. Or ‘Infernal Machines’ as one track rages.
“I do try to make normal records,” Neil says with a smile. ”But it always seems to wander off into odd territories.”
And for that we should be thankful.
Neil Hannon and co also recorded a special version of 'Becoming More Like Alfie' from 1996 'Casanova'.
The Divine Comedy will play the following UK and Ireland headline tour dates.
Ticket links can be found at www.thedivinecomedy.com
October 2019
Sun 6th - Dublin, Bord Gais Energy Theatre
Mon 7th - Belfast, Ulster Hall
Tue 8th - Cork, Opera House
Thu 10th - Glasgow, Old Fruitmarket
Fri 11th - Birmingham, O2 Institute
Sat 12th - Oxford, O2 Academy 1
Mon 14th - Bristol, O2 Academy
Tue 15th - Leeds, Metropolitan University (Leeds Beckett University)
Wed 16th - Brighton, Dome
Thu 17th - London, Eventim Apollo
Fri 18th - Manchester, Albert Hall
