Musical goddess and one of my personal heroes, PJ Harvey has announced her first Australian tour dates in a really long time – four years, in fact. This is bloody fantastic news.
Harvey is actually in Australia right now for a one-off appearance at the Melbourne Writers Festival, at which she’ll be talking about, and reciting poetry written to accompany the photography of Seamus Murphy, in their collaborative work The Hollow of the Hand. The book documents the pair’s journey through Kosovo, Afghanistan and Washington DC, a journey which also laid foundation for her recent album The Hope Six Demolition Project. The album, which has continued her trajectory toward music with a socio-political conscience, was recorded as part of a public art installation. Harvey recorded the record in what was essentially a big glass see-through box in the middle of London’s Somerset House, meaning that people could literally peer in to the process (for forty-five minutes at a time).
While this marks her only Australian appearance this year, Harvey has also now announced a full musical tour across the country as well as New Zealand, including a full ten-piece band, set to take place in January 2017, with her Sydney appearance set to be a part of the Sydney Festival. She last toured in 2012 with her then-recent album Let England Shake.
Having been a fan of PJ Harvey since first hearing Dry and To Bring You My Love probably 13 years ago now, I can personally guarantee that this show is going to be a brilliant way to kick off a new year of live music. Tickets go on sale tomorrow and I HIGHLY recommend picking some up.
PJ Harvey Tour Dates
Tuesday January 17: Fremantle Arts Centre, Perth WA
Tickets
Thursday January 19: Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide SA
Tickets
Saturday January 21: Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne VIC
Tickets
Sunday January 22: ICC Sydney Theatre, Sydney NSW
Tickets
Tuesday January 24: Logan Campbell Centre, Auckland NZ
Tickets
Wednesday January 25: Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington NZ
Tickets
Friday January 27: Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane QLD
Tickets
Image:Maria Mochnacz