April 29, 2021

Kane Strang Announces Nationwide Happy To Perform Tour

Kane Strang has announced a seven-date tour of Aotearoa, in support of his new album Happy to Perform.

The announcement comes just one month after the Auckland-based musician surprised fans with the eight-track record.

After playing to a packed out room of eager fans at Auckland’s Mermgrown festival on March 20, the countrywide tour will now see Kane and his band bring the album to life for fans in Aoteatora’s other main centres, with shows happening throughout July in Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Leigh, Wellington and Napier, before wrapping up back in Auckland on August 6.

The epic tour will see Kane performing with a stellar band comprised of Peter Ruddell (Wax Chattels, Sulfate), Leith Towers (Marlin’s Dreaming), Mitchell Innes and Gussie Larkin (Mermaidens, Earth Tongue).

When speaking on the upcoming shows, Kane said he’s “really looking forward to bringing the new songs into a live setting, reworking some of the older stuff and also visiting some places I’ve never played before like Leigh, Hamilton and Napier.”<
Cover art: Loulou Callister-Baker

He added that he’ll be “loaded up with merch and perhaps even have some kind of physical version of Happy to Perform”.

The phenomenal album was produced and engineered by Steven John Marr and recorded at Auckland’s legendary Roundhead Studios. The record also features esteemed local musicians Peter Ruddell, Jonty O’Connor (Zane 2000) and saxophonist Tim Copland.

Happy to Perform comes in the wake of Kane’s first two records – both of which earned him international acclaim. In just five short years the Dunedin-born artist has released three albums – Blue Cheese (Flying Nun/Ba Da Bing!, Two Hearts and No Brain (Dead Oceans) and now Happy to Perform.

His meticulous work ethic when it comes to writing and record has been noted by fans, promoters and culture writers the world over, something that led to him earning a place as a finalist for the prestigious Taite Music Prize in 2018. Somewhere in between nationwide tours, writing and recording, Kane has also found time to tour Europe, the United States and Australia, and make appearances at major international festivals such as The Great Escape, Treefort Festival and the world’s premier industry festival, SXSW.

The Happy to Perform tour marks Kane’s first nationwide run of shows in more than two years, so demand will be high (you don’t want to sleep on this one!).

Tickets for all seven shows are available now via Banished Music.

Happy to Perform tour dates

Friday 2 July – Christchurch, Blue Smoke
Saturday 3 July – Dunedin, Dive
Friday 9 July – Hamilton, Never Project Space (ALL AGES)
Saturday 10 July – Leigh, Sawmill Cafe
Friday 16 July – Wellington, Meow
Saturday 17 July – Napier, Paisley Stage
Friday August 6 – Auckland, Whammy