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Morrison caught one more time up on Cyprus Avenue

Two live concerts by east Belfast's own Van Morrison will take place at at Cyprus Avenue on Monday
Two live concerts by east Belfast's own Van Morrison will take place at at Cyprus Avenue on Monday Two live concerts by east Belfast's own Van Morrison will take place at at Cyprus Avenue on Monday

CONSTRUCTING a stage in a leafy suburban street is 'so complicated' but at least the weatherman said it is to be good for Van Morrison's birthday homecoming gig on Monday.

The troubadour, who is celebrating turning 70 on the same day, performs for the first time at 3pm - just hours after the stage itself will be constructed by a team of roadies on Cyprus Avenue.

He will give two concerts to bring the metaphorical curtain down on this year's successful EastSide Arts Festival.

That stage may be a bit damp, with rain scheduled for shortly before Morrison makes his debut, but the weather is to clear for both the early show and the 6pm performance.

The gig is set to be an iconic one for the soul singer's legion of fans, as it will take place in one of the Belfast landmarks made famous across the world through his legendary songbook.

'Cyprus Avenue' itself is included on Morrison's 1968 album `Astral Weeks' and was for years a concert highlight and closer ending with the singer's famous declaration: "It's too late to stop now!" (itself a quotation from `Into the Mystic') as he stalked from the stage.

The home crowd will wait with bated breath to see how it features in the bank holiday set.

To minimise disruption to residents, organisers will only begin constructing the stage on Monday morning and the last chord is likely to be strummed shortly before 8pm.

A police spokesman confirmed that several streets will be closed.

"Due to the Van Morrison concert in Cyprus Avenue, East Belfast, on Monday 31 August, motorists are advised to expect delays in and around this part of the city, especially between the approximate times of 2pm and 9pm," he said.

"Cyprus Avenue, Sunbury Avenue, Martinez Avenue, Sandford Avenue, Kirkliston Drive and Beersbridge Road, between Bloomfield Road and the Upper Newtownards Road, will be closed to general traffic throughout the day."

The 6pm show was added to the festival programme after overwhelming demand saw the first performance sell out.

It is the culmination of of a week and a half urban festival featuring 77 literary, artistic and musical events across the east of the city, which is part funded by the Arts Council and Belfast City Council.