John Grant in New Zealand for the first time

John Grant

USA/Iceland

Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

Friday 18 March 2016

Acclaimed American singer-songwriter John Grant will perform for the first time in New Zealand at Auckland Arts Festival in March 2016.

The much-lauded former Czars frontman, renowned for his sumptuous voice and incredible, confessional ballads, will make his NZ debut on the back of a new album release in October and a major US and European tour.

Described as having ‘one of the most beautiful voices of the 21st century’, John Grant has attracted a fervent following since his 2010 solo debut Queen of Denmark. That album was named Mojo magazine’s Album of the Year, and was followed by Pale Green Ghosts, described by the BBC’s Jude Clarke as ‘stunning’ and voted Rough Trade’s Best Album of 2013.

It’s been quite the journey for Grant, from a place in time when he feared he’d never make music again, to winning awards, accolades and Top 20 chart positions, collaborating with the likes of Sinead O’Connor, Goldfrapp and Elton John, as well as a Best International Male Solo Artist nomination at the 2014 BRITS Awards.

Growing up gay in a religious family in the American Midwest was a traumatic and defining experience for the sensitive, insecure Grant. His rebirth as a solo artist in 2010 after years of addiction, depression and toxic relationships also dovetailed with sobriety and being diagnosed with HIV.

Tapping into that residue, Grant creates bleakly beautiful lyrics set to utterly gorgeous melodies against musical styles ranging from Seventies troubadour to vintage synth pop to electronica to funk.

Bearded, brooding, impossible to pigeonhole - and all the while singing like an angel.

‘Self-obsessed but completely compelling, profoundly discomforting but beautiful, lost in its own fathomless personal misery, but warm, funny and wise. It shouldn't work, but it does’ ***** - The Guardian

‘One of the most brutally honest, self aware and distinctive song writing voices of his generation’ – Time Out

‘Exquisite’ - Rolling Stone Australia

‘John Grant exists very much on a planet of his own, simply unrivalled’ - Bristol Live

www.aaf.co.nz

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