January 17, 2017

Xylouris White Live at The Great South Pacific Tuning Fork

“A heavenly union of Greek lute and Australian post rock” – ***** The Guardian

Xylouris White, the duo of Dirty Three drummer Jim White and Cretan lute player George Xylouris will make their debut New Zealand performance with a show at Auckland’s, Great South Pacific Tuning Fork on Wednesday 8 March 2017.

With a personal and musical history going back 25 years they formed four years ago, and have released two albums; Goats (2014) and Black Peak (2016). Both records were recorded predominately in New York and Crete with Guy Picciotto of Fugazi producing. Goats topped the Billboard World Music Chart, and Black Peak has been celebrated worldwide as a triumphant album.

“More and more, it seems the duo are inventing a new musical language, one based on deeply telepathic interplay and pure, transcendent abandon… some of the heaviest music you’ll hear in 2016.” – Aquarium Drunkard

Xylouris White have toured the world many times in their short history, and been hand selected to tour with Swans, Kurt Vile, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, PJ Harvey and Jonathan Richman, amongst others.

If the talents of singer and lute player George Xylouris seem otherworldly, even God-given, it is hardly surprising. To hear Xylouris play his long-necked laouto and sing songs of love and liberty in his passionate, distinctive voice, is to experience heritage at its finest; a tradition that hails from Crete, where Xylouris is a member of a clan long-regarded throughout Greece as musical royalty.

Xylouris’ sound has taken him around the world to festivals and concerts throughout Europe, North America and Australia. He splits his time between Melbourne, absorbing influences from the city’s thriving live rock scene, and in Crete, where he spends time teaching, playing in village communities continuing his family’s heritage.

Jim White first commanded international attention in the mid-1990s with the acclaimed Australian instrumental trio Dirty Three. Now the New York-based virtuoso is the go-to guy for alt-A-list vocalists with collaboration in mind. Those who’ve worked with him – and all those he’s mesmerised as he plays – testify to his deft way with a rhythm, a downbeat, a jazz-fuelled wig out. White formed a post-punk band Venom P. Stinger and has worked with artists such as Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, PJ Harvey, Nina Nastasia, Cat Power, Smog and Nick Cave.

White’s intuitive beats and singular approach have created sparks in his collaborations with George Xylouris thus forming Xylouris White. When White is playing, he is right there, present in the most inspirational sense. Together and individually they are unique.

Don’t miss the power and glory of Xylouris White live this summer.

” ‘Both Born to the Form, a Couple of Continents and Major Traditions Apart’ …It’s good they’ve ended up together. Both are extraordinary musicians…It’s intense. joyous, rugged music.” – New York Time (Live Review)

“This transcendental folk, deconstructed by the volatile rhythms of rock demands to be danced to, and when the music hit the loud and fast end of the spectrum – an all out head-banging mosh” – Sydney Festival / The Guardian

VECTOR ARENA PRESENTS

XYLOURIS WHITE

AT THE GREAT SOUTH PACIFIC TUNING FORK

WEDNESDAY 8 MARCH 2017

Tickets on sale 9am, January 19 from Ticketmaster.co.nz, 0800 111 999

MyTicketmaster presale from 9am, January 18.

Tickets in advance $39 + booking fees.