Greater Manchester has a population of around 2.5 million and, contrary to popular belief, not all of them are dedicated to the nostalgia of summers past and not all worship at the altars of the recently revived Inspiral Carpets, the Stone Roses, Happy Mondays and New Order.

To widespread incredulity, despite its towering musical heritage, a large chunk of the region's cultural community continues to dedicate itself to new and exciting things. After the Doves and Elbow, came The Ting Tings and the Courteeners, Delphic and Wu Lyf. And lots more, some better than others of course.

And, despite a name more befitting the Champs-Élysées than Eccles New Road, from Salford comes Ren Harvieu. She was recently shortlisted for the BBC's just slightly overexposed Sound of 2012 poll and, at 21, is already making good on all that promise. Ren has toured with Glasvegas and James Morrison (either side of a freak accident that nearly left her paralysed) and released her debut single 'Through the Night', which has earned exposure on Xfm, 6 Music and Radio 2. The single showcases Ren Harvieu's extraordinary vocal talents and her ear for catchy pop hooks. A debut album is expected 'soon' and it promises much.

The tour begins at Manchester's Ruby Lounge on 1st April, followed by Glasgow, Birmingham and Brighton, before the final date announced so far at London's Bush Hall on 11th April 2012.

Ahead of the tour, Ren is playing a Next Big Thing 2012 gig at the Manchester Ritz on 8th February and at The Lexington in London on 15th February.

We have tickets for all of these dates available now; all priced a tenner or less. Go. Everyone will be talking about Ren soon and you can just shrug and say "Yeah, I seen her. What of it?"