Announcing a rare musical double bill...the return to New Zealand of the wonderfully talented JOSS STONE and for her first ever visit to our shores, the sensational INDIA.ARIE. TWO global 'soul-stresses' sharing one very special night, coming to New Zealand to perform shows at Auckland's Vector Arena on Friday April 25th and Wellington's Michael Fowler Centre on Sunday April 27th.
INDIA.ARIE
Denver-born India.Arie has been nominated for a massive 21 Grammy Awards, won four and has sold over 10 million albums. After a self-imposed four-year hiatus she returns with a new album 'SongVersation'. The album, like the three before it, debuted in the Top Ten on the Billboard Album Chart and is a compelling snapshot of her hard-won breakthrough to simultaneous personal and artistic growth. Highly-acclaimed, 'SongVersation' reached #5 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart, almost copying her previous release which held down the coveted #1 spot and gave Motown it's first #1 album in 33 years!
Grammy Award-Winning India.Arie weights in what may be one of the best releases of her career. - BILLBOARD
The minute India.Arie comes on stage she owns it with her spiritual and empowering presence, heartfelt and engaging lyrics and smooth as silk voice. It doesn't take more than one song to become an instant fan. Reviews of her current tour are overwhelming in their praise: Amazing experience; Beautiful experience...A MUST SEE!; India speaks to my heart; Spiritually moving...I cried a lot; Amazing power from India.Arie and Best concert I have EVER been to.
From the moment that her very first single 'Video' and her multi-platinum debut album 'Acoustic Soul' were released in 2001, India's music established an extraordinary bond of trust, affection and communication with lovers of music throughout the world.
JOSS STONE
I knew her voice rocked, but to see her live was phenomenal; Amazing show; Unbelievable!
The fan reviews are 100% conclusive - and no wonder! Joss Stone has won a Grammy Award and two BRIT Awards and her anthemic hit songs like 'Super Duper Love'; 'You Had Me'; 'Dirty Man'; 'Fell In Love With A Boy'; 'Don't Cha Wanna Ride'; 'Right To Be Wrong'; and 'Tell Me 'Bout It' have elevated Joss Stone to global stardom - and she is still only 26 years old.
Her six best-selling albums (the first 'The Soul Sessions', released when she was just 16) have notched up over 11 million album sales - and titles like 'Mind, Body & Soul'; 'Introducing Joss Stone'; 'Colour Me Free!'; 'LP1'; and most recently 'The Soul Sessions Vol II' have become 'staples' in record collections the world over.
In turn Joss Stone's enthusiasm and obsession (almost) with music, has led her on to collaborations with industry heavyweights such as James Brown, Gladys Knight, Solomon Burke, Blondie, Smokey Robinson, John Legend, Melissa Etheridge, Lauryn Hill, Raphael Saadiq and the rapper Common, among many others.
She's contributed to albums by Jeff Beck and Ringo Starr and collaborated on two stunning albums; one with Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart and one with Superheavy (the supergroup put together by Mick Jagger and featuring Damian Marley, A.R.Rahman and Dave Stewart).
The exeptional, rebellious, captivating JOSS STONE unites with the reborn, revitalised and inspirational INDIA.ARIE for what will be two incredibly special Bluesfest sideshows in Auckland and Wellington this Easter.
Tickets go on sale TUESDAY 21st JANUARY at 9am.
