Backstage Pass

Damien Rice says he has some apprehension about his upcoming tour.

“I realized I write a lot of depressing songs… it’s hard to sing a depressing song if you’re not depressed,” he told the capacity crowd at Hiro Ballroom. “I don’t want to be depressed for the next year. I’ll have to record a happy album and get it out in January.”

Considering how well Rice rolled out songs from his new album “9” (Heffa/Warner Bros.) on this acoustic sneak preview of his upcoming tour, though, he must be a little depressed these days. His delivery was gorgeously poignant as usual, enhanced by Lisa Hannigan’s hauntingly beautiful harmonies, and the spare acoustic backing on songs like “9 Crimes” and “Delicate.” On “Me, My Yoke and I,” Rice’s vocals grew increasingly unhinged, as they do on the album version, showing how he taps into the emotions that led to writing the song initially.

As strong as his performance was, cellist Vyvienne Long nearly stole the show, as she did her hilarious impersonation of Rice telling the story of how “Cheers Darlin’” was written, complete with his idiosyncratic pauses and timing, all while downing glasses of wine as is the band’s custom.

SETLIST: Grey Room / Cannonball / Me, My Yoke and I / Woman like a Man / Sand / Untitled / Delicate / 9 Crimes / Dogs / Rootless Tree / The Animals Were Gone / Cheers Darlin’ // ENCORES: Random Man on the Motorway (by Vyv & Lisa) / Untitled (by Lisa) / Elephant / Volcano / The Blower’s Daughter

Rice returns to New York on Dec. 12 and 13 at the Beacon Theater.