02Sep
Conway Savage in Ireland: a tribute to a cult Aussie music legend
When people think of Conway Savage, they remember his years as the piano player and backing vocalist with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
From 1990 until his passing in 2018, he was part of their unforgettable live sound, blending bar-room piano with a voice Nick Cave once described as “high and sweet and drenched in soul.”What fewer people know is how deeply Ireland touched him, and how Dundalk in particular became part of his story.
The First Irish Shows
Savage first played Ireland in the late 1990s. One of those early shows was at the newly opened Spirit Store in Dundalk, alongside a night in Whelan’s Dublin.
For many artists these might have been just another stop on tour, but for Savage the Spirit Store marked the beginning of something lasting.
He would return again and again, building friendships, sharing music, and discovering an audience that gave him what he valued most: silence and attention.
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Why Ireland Was Different
Conway often said that Irish audiences were special because they listened. He did not trade in empty compliments, so when he said this, it mattered. He noticed how rooms here seemed to hold still when a song required it.
That quiet respect meant more to him than loud praise.It is no coincidence that his only live album was recorded here. Live in Ireland captured the intimacy of venues like The Glens Centre in Manorhamilton and The Stables in Mullingar.
These spaces, away from the big-city spotlight, allowed him to play with the kind of direct honesty he believed in.
Dundalk’s Role in His Journey
The Spirit Store was not just one of his first Irish stages. It was also where he forged lasting connections with people who went on to organise his tours and release his albums in Ireland. Years later it became the place where his final recording, the Pussy’s Bow EP, was completed.
That link between Savage and Dundalk runs deep. When he played there, he wasn’t just passing through. He was home.
Celebrating His Legacy
This September, Dundalk will once again host his music.
These Are the Waves: Celebrating the Music of Conway Savage
will bring together friends and collaborators, including Mick Harvey and Suzie Higgie, to honour him in the town where his Irish journey began.A special pamphlet of writings about him, with contributions from admirers such as Nick Cave, will also be published.
Why It Matters for Dundalk
For us at Astory Media, events like this show what makes Dundalk unique.
It is strengthening the town’s identity today, reminding people that Dundalk is a place where world-class music and local audiences meet.
Savage once said of his songs, “They’re not songs, they’re more kind of eternal truths if you like.” Those truths will be heard again in Dundalk this September.
And for the town, they are a reminder that culture is part of growth, connection, and community.
Festival in honour of musician Conway Savage to take place in Dundalk
These Are The Waves
Friday 12 September 2025 | Doors 8:00PM
Tickets: €28.00 + €2.00 booking fee
https://spiritstore.ie/event.php?eventID=ConwayS
Mick Harvey: In Conversation
Saturday 13 September 2025 | 1:00PM
Tickets: €5.00 + €1.50 booking fee
https://www.antain.ie/event/mick-harvey-in-conversation/
Suzie Higgie: Soon Will Be Tomorrow
Saturday 13 September 2025 | 7:30PM | Roe River Books
Tickets: €15.00 + €1.50 booking fee
https://www.antain.ie/event/suzie-higgie-soon-will-be-tomorrow/
Mick Harvey & Amanda Acevedo
Sunday 14 September 2025 | Doors 7:30PM
Tickets: €25.00 + €2.00 booking fee
https://spiritstore.ie/event.php?eventID=MHAA925
👉 At Astory Media, we believe marketing and culture go hand in hand. If you’d like to connect your business with the audiences that make Dundalk thrive, book a free strategy consultation.
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