Daniel O’Donnell talks about his new album and his love for Derry ahead of live stream show in the Forum

Daniel will have the stage set up by his crew, and then perform with his band, who have all been out of work since the pandemic hit in March.

Speaking to the ‘Journal’ ahead of this new type of show, Daniel said that the show is “for the band and crew.”

“The whole purpose of the show is for the band and crew. I’m very aware that they’ve had no work.

“Like everybody else they got whatever payments were given, but that’s just enough to get by, or maybe not enough to get by in some ways.

 “This is just for them, they will divide the profit from the show between themselves,” he said.

Daniel’s self titled new album has already hit number two in the midweek UK charts, and the Donegal singer admitted he was surprised by its success.

“I am delighted about that, it’s amazing.

“I was wondering would it get in the charts at all, with people not being able to go out.

“They must be downloading or ordering it in some way, because a lot of my audience would be people who would go and buy it in the shops when they’re out,” he said.

Throughout the first lockdown period, from March right through until the summer time, Daniel kept spirits high all over the country and beyond by performing over Facebook, and also touring around Donegal and performing outside care homes.

He even made his way to the Nazareth House in Fahan and Buncrana Community Hospital, putting on a show in the car park for the residents who were inside.

“I did bits and pieces on Facebook, and I was out singing at the nursing homes around Donegal. 

“I’m happy singing any way at all really. Although I wasn’t out doing shows, I did a lot of that. I just enjoy singing.

“It’s not about where you are or how many people you have, its the actual thing of singing that I get a kick out of. 

“For the patients in the homes, they relate to the music. They might not know who I am, but they would know the songs.

“The memory for the song is with them. So that’s a great thing,” he said.  

Reflecting on his past shows in Derry, Daniel revealed he has been performing here for nearly 40 years.

“I go back as far as the Rialto and St. Columb’s Hall,” he said.

He also has strong ties to Derry, with family from Magilligan and friends in the city.

“My great grandmother came from Magilligan, Julia McLaughlin from Bellarena. We have relations there still, and around Limavady.

“My mother worked in Derry when she was young, and had loads of friends, so we used to go on our holidays there, and we stayed just off the Lecky Road with Lesley McClintock.

“Kathleen, her daughter, is still living in the house. We have great memories of Derry. As a wee boy, even before the troubles. I know a lot of people in Derry,” he added.

Looking forward to the live streaming show, Daniel said he is particularly keen to get back to doing a “proper concert with the band.”

“It will be all the songs that we normally do, and also a few from the new album. Hopefully people will enjoy it.

“The whole purpose of it for me is to get a bit of money for the band and crew.

“When I was performing on Facebook there were so many tuned in, so I hope they will all still want to buy a ticket,” he said.

To purchase a ticket for the live stream, visit www.danielodonnell.org

“Tickets are €20, and you can watch it at 7pm on the night, or at any time through the next week, as many times as you like.

“It’s like watching the television for a few hours, and if there’s three or four in the house, sure it’s not that much. Hopefully we will get back to Derry again to do a show for an audience.

“We’re hoping to start next August but it’s just fingers crossed at this stage,” he added.  

The two-hour live stream concert will take place on Sunday, November 1 at 7pm in the Millennium Forum.

Fans can access the concert from the Kincasslagh singer’s website www.danielodonnell.org for €20, and the concert will be available to view for seven days after the show.