40 years after the release of debut album Rave on, Irish songwriter Andy White is touring the UK over the New Year in support of new live album The night is approaching though some would say it was morning (Floating World Records). Starting in Bangor, Northern Ireland, White makes his way across the water and back again, ending up with a special music and conversation event at the cross-community Four Corners Festival in his hometown of Belfast on February 6th.
On the way, White picks up copies of the reissue of 1994 classic album Destination Beautiful, to be issued for the first time on LP by Glasgow label Last Night From Glasgow, March 2026.
Andy and John met at Abbey Road. John got his first job there in 1970. The day of his interview the Beatles were wearing suits, getting ready to cross the road. Andy had listened to albums recorded there and looked at photos taken there since Revolver played at school parties. Giles Martin was driving out as they drove in. Andy brought three guitars and an amp. John organised everything, and when he took Andy down the stairs into Studio Two, told him to stop and smell the room. Nothing had changed since those great records had been recorded. You could feel it in the equipment, the fabric, the floorboards.
John had asked Andy to write his best set list. In the afternoon they recorded the first half, in the evening a small group of friends and family arrived, and they recorded the second. You can see what it looked like on the album sleeve, you can hear the room on the record.
Dedicated to Janice Long and Joanna Beckitt, the double-CD set has both evening and afternoon sessions, one on each disc, and includes songs from throughout Andy’s songwriting career including ‘Religious Persuasion’, ’James Joyce’s Grave’, ‘If You Want It’ and ‘Italian Girls on Mopeds’. ‘Theresa Theresa’ is new.
’Street Scenes From My Heart’, opening track on the live album, also kicks off the first vinyl edition of White’s 1994 album Destination Beautiful. Written when living in Dublin around the time he became a Dad, recorded with Rod McVey and the County Antrim crew who brought you all White’s early records from Rave on to Out There, the album remains a bright explosion of positivity. Now in a gatefold sleeve, a limited number will come with a 5-track EP.
You can hear all of these and selections from his recent spoken word album Good Luck I Hope You Make It on tour. Andy’s last UK appearance was at Glastonbury Festival with Billy Bragg. Be sure to catch him in the new year, it is a rare treat.
14 December BANGOR The Court House
18 January HIGH WYCOMBE Kingsmead
6 February BELFAST Four Corners Festival *
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