After a the summer release of his debut record, 'Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm', and around 30, mostly sold-out, gigs in October and November, York singer-songwriter Benjamin Francis Leftwich will again be taking his new songs on a UK tour early next year.

Having released just the single 'Box of Stones' (watch the video, on the right) and a lone EP earlier in the year, Leftwich had been the subject of heavy expectation thanks to some excellent exposure from, among others, Radio 1's Huw Stephens. The record did not disappoint, making the UK Top 40 and being a warmly received throughout the songwriter's busy summer of festivals which included Glastonbury, Camp Bestival and Lounge on the Farm.

The critical response was also good, with The Sunday Times calling Leftwich "a serious new talent", while others made favourable comparisons with the indie folk of Damien Rice and José González. The new tour represents a step up for Leftwich, taking in a smaller number of larger venues including the Manchester Academy and even a headline show at the Shepherds Bush Empire - the mark of an artist in the ascendency.

One suspects that the mouthful that is Benjamin Francis Leftwich will trip off the tongue ever more easily as his stock continues to rise and 'Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm' continues to burn brightly. Expect big things.

Benjamin Francis Leftwich begins his February tour in Cardiff on 20th February, followed by gigs in Bath, London (Shepherds Bush Empire) and at the Manchester Academy before the final date (currently) at the ABC2 in Glasgow on 24th February 2012.

We have tickets available now for the London and Manchester gigs, priced £14 and £12 respectively. We'll have tickets for the remaining dates when they go on sale at 9AM on Thursday 24th November 2011, priced £12.