Graeme James

Kiwi folk sensation Graeme James is back with his first original body of work in two years, ‘Luminous Times’. After a mammoth year touring Europe, playing festivals in South Africa and the USA, Graeme is delighted to bring the collection of songs home to Aotearoa over the months of June and July.

Following a year of releasing adventurous covers of such diverse songs as ‘Harvest Moon’ by Neil Young and ‘You Only Live Once’ by The Strokes, James is excited to bring some fresh perspective and life to his own new and unheard material. ‘Luminous Times’ is an exploration of the stories we tell ourselves and the power they have to shape our experience for better or worse.

With a history of selling out concerts all around the world, and captivating audiences with tall tales and a dynamic performance, James layers electric violin, mandolin, banjo, guitar, bass, ukulele, percussion, synthesizer and soaring vocals to create his unique indie folk sound.
His tunes have been streamed over 50 million times on Spotify alone, have appeared on film and television and seen him featured in Rolling Stone.

Indie folk is having its renaissance once again and James is riding the wave, so be sure to check out his vibrant live show all around Aotearoa. In all main centres he is joined by compelling live drummer Ben Dixon, who will also open the evening with his own set of beautiful and haunting songs inspired by the likes of The National and Neil Young.

…grin-inducing, chipper pop folk sounds…a positively masterful array of instrumental expertise coupled with knee-weakening velveteen vocals…”
Indie Shuffle

...one of the most interesting songwriters on the current scene...
Il Fatto Quotidiano (Italy)

“Recalling the work of fellow modern balladeers like Nathaniel Rateliff (during his unplugged moments) and Phoebe Bridgers”- Rolling Stone