Somebody call Barry Egan in the Sindo!!!!


From the NME website:

Damien Rice has split with long-time vocalist Lisa Hannigan.

The news ends a musical partnership which lasted six years, and will come as a shock to Rice's legion of fans, as Hannigan had long been an integral part of Rice's backing band, particularly in his live performances.

Hannigan supplied vocals to both of Rice's two albums - 2001's 'O' and last year's '9'.

An official statement read "After much thought and discussion Damien has decided that his professional relationship with Lisa Hannigan has run its creative course. As a result Lisa will not be appearing at any of the upcoming live shows. Lisa is embarking on her own artistic endeavours and there are no plans for them to work together in the foreseeable future. The current band on tour at the moment are Damien Rice, Joel Shearer, Shane Fitzsimons, Tom Osander and Vyvienne Long."

Rice, meanwhile, begins his first UK tour without Hannigan at London's Carling Hammersmith Apollo tomorrow night (March 27). The show is sold out.

Big row before a gig in Germany last week apparently. They soundchecked with her and she didn't appear atthe gig nor at any of the concerts since.

What a bummer. She was the best thing about Damien Rice.

I'll tell ya: the Dutch are weeping in six languages at least.

She was on the view on rte with some solo stuff not that long ago so sure she was planning on going out on her own anyway - hes so feckin dreary, draggin her down

And we are upset at this why ?

I would have said that were a good match in this regard. Then again I haven't seen them live. Maybe she smiles or something?

Who cares?