English singer/songwriter/guitarist Lianne La Havas's Grammy Award–nominated second album, Blood, was released last summer by Nonesuch Records in the US to critical acclaim; Pitchfork called it "dynamic and poignantly self-assured in its introspection … an almost seamless album." On the heels of an intimate solo tour, which wraps up this week in California, Nonesuch releases Blood Solo—a collection of five tracks and an interlude from the original Blood album plus a new song, "Fairytale"—on February 12, 2016. In celebration of the EP's release, La Havas performs two of the solo songs on Conan and The Late Late Show with James Corden in the coming week.
Additionally, Grammy Award–nominated R&B artist and singer, songwriter Leon Bridges has announced that La Havas will open for him during his autumn US tour. See dates below. As always, the Texas native's seven-piece band will join him for the fall dates, which follow his widely lauded 2015 debut album, Coming Home. Tickets go on sale this Friday, February 12. "I'm so excited to go on the road with Leon because I am a fan! It will also be a great chance to see many parts of the USA that I've not yet had the pleasure of visiting," she says.
La Havas' 2012 debut album Is Your Love Big Enough? won Album of the Year at iTunes UK as well as Barclaycard Mercury Prize and Ivor Novello Best Album nominations, along with tremendous critical acclaim. When touring for Is Your Love Big Enough? came to a close, La Havas headed to Jamaica with her mother for a long-awaited holiday that evolved into an experience of self-discovery. She enjoyed emotional reunions with long-lost relatives; embraced Kingston's clubs; and even jammed in front of her family for the first time during a session with legendary dancehall/reggae producer Stephen McGregor.
Exploring her roots inspired La Havas' writing. Lyrically, she says, the songs she wrote are almost all related to "the feeling of who you are and where you come from." And musically, La Havas took inspiration from Jamaica's love of grooves, rhythms, and syncopation. McGregor ultimately joined in the making of Blood along with a rich collection of others including Adele/FKA twigs collaborator Paul Epworth, who produced the album's first single, "Unstoppable," which is built upon an instrumental recording by Ninja Tunes trio The Invisible. Blood has been nominated for a Best Urban Contemporary Album Grammy Award.
LIANNE LA HAVAS ON TOUR
| Feb 8 |
Swedish American Hall - SOLD OUT |
San Francisco, CA |
| Feb 9 |
The New Parish - SOLD OUT |
Oakland, CA |
| Feb 11 |
Largo - SOLD OUT |
Los Angeles, CA |
| Sep 8 |
Flynn Center for the Performing Arts* |
Burlington, VT |
| Sep 9 |
State Theatre* |
Portland, ME |
| Sep 13 |
Fillmore Miami Beach* |
Miami, FL |
| Sep 14 |
Ruth Eckerd Hall* |
Tampa, FL |
| Sep 18 |
Music Hall at Fair Park* |
Dallas, TX |
| Sep 20 |
Mesa Performing Arts Center* |
Mesa, AZ |
| Sep 21 |
Humphreys Concerts By the Bay* |
San Diego, CA |
| Sep 23 |
Greek Theatre* |
Berkeley, CA |
| Sep 26 |
Fillmore Auditorium* |
Denver, CO |
| Sep 27 |
Uptown Theatre* |
Kansas City, MO |
| Sep 28 |
Orpheum Theatre* |
Minneapolis, MN |
| Sep 30 |
Fillmore Detroit* |
Detroit, MI |
| Oct 1 |
Masonic Temple* |
Cleveland, OH |
| Oct 2 |
The National* |
Richmond, VA |
*supporting Leon Bridges
