James Vincent McMorrow is set to make a long-awaited return to Australia this June, announcing three intimate and acoustic headline shows—his first in the country since 2017.
The Irish singer-songwriter will celebrate the 15th anniversary of his beloved debut album, Early in the Morning, by performing it in its entirety—solo, with just a guitar—offering fans a rare and intimate experience of the record that launched his career.
The ‘Early in the Morning’ 15th Anniversary Tour kicks off at Sydney’s Metro Theatre on June 3rd, before heading to Melbourne’s Northcote Theatre on June 5th and wrapping up in Brisbane at The Princess Theatre on June 7th.
Along with performing the album front to back, McMorrow will also treat audiences to a mix of new material and handpicked covers.
Reflecting on the decision to revisit Early in the Morning, McMorrow initially resisted the idea, hesitant to look back at the past. “Honestly, when the idea of these shows was pitched to me I wasn’t really into it,” he admits. “I make music to push myself forward—the idea of looking backwards at something I made at the very beginning felt a bit odd.”
However, a late-night studio session changed his perspective. “I found myself playing songs off Early in the Morning, ones I hadn’t touched in over 10 years. I sat in front of the mic and recorded the entire album from memory, just to see how it felt. I’d forgotten how much I loved that record.”
Released in 2010, Early in the Morning quickly established McMorrow as a standout voice in indie-folk, drawing comparisons to Bon Iver and Iron & Wine.
Songs like “If I Had a Boat” and “We Don’t Eat” became cult favorites, resonating with listeners worldwide.
The album’s quiet intensity and raw vulnerability set the stage for his evolution into a genre-blurring artist, unafraid of reinvention.
While McMorrow acknowledges that stepping back into the world of his debut album feels surreal, he also sees it as an opportunity to rediscover the joy of those songs and share that experience with fans.
“That album changed my life,” he says. “When it came out, I felt like a whole person for the first time, even when I was driving around playing for 30 people a night. The bigger it got, the less I got to appreciate it in the moment. I realised I wanted some new moments centred around it—ones I could truly enjoy.”
This tour promises to be just that: a celebration, a reflection, and a chance for both McMorrow and his fans to reconnect with the music that shaped his career.
“The show will be split into two halves,” he explains. “The first half will be Early in the Morning, front to back. Then after an interval, I’ll come back and play songs from across my other records, some covers, and new songs. It’s just gonna be me on stage—see you there.”
James Vincent McMorrow
‘Early in the Morning’ 15th Anniversary Tour – Australia 2025
Tickets on sale 11AM (Local) Friday, March 21st
Secret Sounds & Handsome Tours Presale: Thursday, March 20th, 11AM (Local) – Friday, March 21st, 10AM (Local)
Tuesday, June 3rd
Metro Theatre, Sydney
Thursday, June 5th
Northcote Theatre, Melbourne
Saturday, June 7th
The Princess Theatre, Brisbane
