Hollie Smith announces Long Player anniversary tour

New Zealand’s first lady of jazz and soul, Hollie Smith, is celebrating the 10th anniversary of her iconic debut album LONG PLAYER with a nationwide tour. LONG PLAYER firmly established Smith’s solo career and earned her a reputation as one of New Zealand’s most recognisable voices. It also earned her ‘Best Female Solo Artist’, ’Breakthrough Artist of the Year’ and ‘Best Producer’ at the 2007 New Zealand Music Awards.

Coinciding with the tour and to mark the anniversary, Soundsmith/Warner Music NZ will release LONG PLAYER on vinyl for the first time. Released as a double LP, the set will have five bonus songs of her retrospective singles, including her famed ‘Bathe In The River’. It goes on sale on September 8.

Playing at well-known venues across New Zealand, carefully handpicked to fit the vibe of the critically-acclaimed record, the LONG PLAYER 10th ANNIVERSARY TOUR kicks off at San Fran in Wellington on September 14, before moving on to the Mayfair in New Plymouth on September 15. The tour picks up in the South Island again on September 29 at the Christchurch Arts Centre.

Kiwi singer-songwriter Mark Vanilau will open for Smith at all of these above shows. A multi-instrumentalist with a smooth velvetine voice, Vanilau wowed critics with his debut EP, DARK HORIZON, and won ‘Best Song’ at the 2014 Pacific Music Awards. He also lends his talents to a wide range of well-known Kiwi acts, from Ladi6 to Dave Dobbyn.

Smith then plays the Port Chalmers Seafood Festival near Dunedin on September 30. She wraps up the tour in Auckland at Crystal Palace on October 6 with support from emerging Kiwi soul sensation TEEKS.

The young artist, who hails from Northland, has taken the Kiwi music scene by storm with his debut EP, THE GRAPEFRUIT SKIES. A mesmerising live performer, with a voice that’ll stop you in your tracks, TEEKS’ debut single ‘If Only’ has topped charts making the up-and-comer a must see.