British folk singer Beth Orton returns to New Zealand this May for shows in two of New Zealand’s most beautiful churches, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Auckland and Old St Paul’s, Wellington.
Beth Orton’s delicate folk songs will be the perfect match for such intimate and special venues. The award winning singer-songwriter was at the forefront of the “folktronica” scene during the 1990s, with her collaborations with The Chemical Brothers and William Orbit and her critically acclaimed albums Trailer Park and Central Reservation.
Both albums were nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and Beth won “Best Female Artist” at the 2000 BRIT Awards. 2002’s Daybreaker was her most commercially successful album, reaching the UK Top 10. Hit songs like “She Cries Your Name”, “I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine”, “Stolen Car” and “Anywhere” are folk pop classics.
Comfort of Strangers from 2006 saw Beth moving away to a more traditional folk approach, which she’s continued with her new album Sugaring Season. Recorded and produced in Portland by Tucker Martine (My Morning Jacket, The Decemberists, Spoon), the album is another bold departure for Orton, who takes traditional folk instrumentation into some unfamiliar territory.
While Orton has shifted away from the electronic textures that dominated her early work, her music is still built upon an implicit groove, even if it emanates from her acoustic guitar rather than from a sequencer. “It may not be a ‘dance’ groove,” she says, “but it’s definitely there and it’s earthed and primal and insistent.”
Beth Orton is a world class performer who has collaborated with Bert Jansch, Emmylou Harris, Beck, Johnny Marr, Annie Lennox, Terry Callier, and Ryan Adams among others. These concerts will be a one of a kind experience and the perfect way to experience Beth Orton’s gorgeous voice and brilliant songs.
BETH ORTON
2013 NZ Church Tour
Friday 17 May Old St Paul’s, Wellington
Saturday 18 May Holy Trinity Cathedral, Auckland
General on sale Monday 4 March 9am
Tickets from Ticketmaster 0800 111 999 www.ticketmaster.co.nz and NZ Tix www.nztix.co.nz
Sugaring Season is out now!
