Solid Entertainment and Banished Music are thrilled to announce the return of Sharon Van Etten and her full band to New Zealand. The Darkness Fades tour arrives in support of her brilliant brand new sixth album, We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong. “Stunning” is the word most used to describe Sharon Van Etten’s concerts. She’s one of the century’s great songwriters, a truly exceptional lyricist, and as for that voice…
Solid Entertainment & Banished Music present
SHARON VAN ETTEN
The Darkness Fades Tour
Mon 12th Dec | Civic Theatre | Auckland
Tue 13th Dec | Opera House | Wellington
Tickets on sale 10am, Thursday 21st July from Ticketmaster.
Press Release:
Last in Auckland in 2019, playing a sold-out Powerstation show in support of Remind Me Tomorrow, Sharon Van Etten was a musician at the peak of her powers. The album went on to become one of the year’s most universally praised Albums of the Year and cemented Van Etten as one of the most influential artists of her generation. Her accompanying concerts were breathtaking, her performances a visceral connection with her audiences.
“Horrifically good…..anyone who saw Sharon Van Etten last night at Auckland’s Powerstation will be convinced. The woman is a rock star…..she’s bloody magnificent” – stuff.co.nz
“A stunning show from an artist at the top of her game.” – 13th Floor
“Live, her voice is flawless – rich, velvety and expressive, it is capable of imparting a great deal of emotional heft.” – NME
Returning for her third tour of New Zealand, Sharon Van Etten holds a strong connection with her fans and a storied history that rippled around the world from previous visits. Her first tour in 2015 travelled to the four major centres, leaving audiences spell-bound with her sublime performances. A surprise live TV cross from soundcheck into Campbell Live resulted in the host being moved to tears and the clip making headlines on music news feeds worldwide.
Fast forward to May 2022 and the release of the album We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong, Pitchfork elevate Van Etten to rock royalty declaring, “Sharon Van Etten Is An Institution Now”. Rolling Stone describe Van Etten as “one of the most fearless, soul-shredding songwriters on the planet.”
In this time, epic Ten has been released – an album of artists covering Van Etten’s songs, including Fiona Apple, Lucinda Williams, Big Red Machine and Idles. There was also work with artists ranging from Josh Homme and Courtney Barnett to Norah Jones, with whom she reimagined ‘Seventeen’, a drop-dead killer and a song of the year in 2020. Three more instant classics followed; ‘Like I Used To’ is a stunning collaboration with Angel Olsen, a heart-stopping anthemic song featuring on many best of the year 2021 lists. ‘Porta’ and ‘Used To It’ are single releases from this year; both are sublime and neither feature on the new album. We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong intentionally has no pre album release singles on it and is a record to be listened to fresh and in its entirety.
Sharon Van Etten is an artist who touches people with her raw honesty, free-flowing emotional richness, and openness. She has a voice and delivery that slays; there is an emotional depth and intensity that stir passionate devotion and a near-spiritual connection to her words and music.
These shows will be a rare treat for music fans taking place in two magnificent venues perfectly suited to Sharon Van Etten’s deeply compelling performances. Auckland’s majestic Civic Theatre, seldom even available for concerts, has probably the best acoustics and sightlines of any venue in NZ. Alongside Wellington’s Opera House, with its lavish interior and original features – both are remarkable settings providing a sense of occasion in which magic will happen.
Sharon Van Etten is a legend being written in real time. Calling these shows ‘must-see’ would be the understatement of the year!