Alongside the release of two new songs, ‘The Nerd Reich’ and ‘Whirlwind’; American singer-songwriter Jesse Welles has announced a series of shows in Europe next year as part of The Kingdom is Within You tour. The tour concludes with a show in the National Stadium, Dublin on 23rd February 2027.
Recently, Jesse Welles released his sixth studio album, Masks Off, a culmination of his work since he came to prominence by performing songs in the Arkansas wilderness where he was raised and currently resides. “These songs were highlights of the past year, and they sort of speak to the moment we’re at,” he states. “I’m not trying to tell folks how to think or get a reaction. All I do is write my lyrics, make my records, and cross my fingers,” Jesse shares. The album includes songs that show the introspective and personal side of his songwriting like, “Siddhartha,” “This and Not Some Other Way,” and “Won’t You Come Out Tonight,” as well as studio versions of fan- favorite protest songs that have become staples of Welles’s set, including “Join Ice,” “Red,” and “Domestic Error.”.
Welles has had a whirlwind year, including receiving four GRAMMY® Award nominations, performing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and garnering praise from Vulture, Rolling Stone, NPR, Billboard, and CBS News, who urged, “If you’re wondering whether folk music is still relevant today, take a listen to Jesse Welles.” Releasing eight full-length albums and dozens of songs within the span of two years, Welles has attracted millions of followers, generated over 1 billion total views and streams, and collaborated with everyone from Joan Baez and Billy Strings to Mt. Joy, Margo Price, and Sierra Ferrell.
Welles has gone viral by performing stripped-down, acoustic songs often played to a smartphone camera in the Arkansas wilderness. Tracks like “War Isn’t Murder,” “United Health,” which The New Yorker says “takes John Prine’s craggy empathy and adds a tincture of Brian Jones’s sinister charisma,” and “Walmart” have earned him tens of millions of streams, over 4 million followers on social media, and a groundswell of acclaim. While
Welles may have recently come to the attention of many due to the popularity of his videos across social media, he has been writing and performing since the age of 12, when he finally scrounged up enough money for a $56 first act guitar from Walmart. Bringing the guitar everywhere, he played along to the radio and gleaned wisdom from local old-timers. He fed his obsession by checking CDs out of his hometown’s public library and burning them to the family computer, embracing classics from Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, and Woody Guthrie.
Jesse Welles
The Kingdom is Within You EU/UK Tour
National Stadium, Dublin
23rd February 2027
Tickets €39.20/€41.20 (Incl booking fees) on sale Friday 6th November at 10AM from Ticketmaster.ie. Bookings Subject To 12.5% Service Charge Per Ticket (Max €10.50).