Eddi Reader announces autumn 2012 UK dates

Eddi Reader

Eddi Reader seems a very reasonable, generous sort but it's still likely that even she may be tiring of all introductions and profiles of the singer and songwriter being prefaced with the cautionary tale of Fairground Attraction.

After all, it was a quarter of a century ago that we first heard the Scot's crisp vocal over the strains of that band's debut single, Perfect. It was a hip-swinging toe-tapping sing-along of a hit that sailed to No 1 and picked up a BRIT for Best Single. The title of the debut album, The First of a Million Kisses, hinted at a long career of funky, folky pop from Fairground Attraction and the album won a BRIT and turned Platinum. A handful of singles later, the band broke up amid rumours of bitter arguments.

But you can't keep a talent like Reader down. Fairground Attraction may have folded, but the Glaswegian still had tales to tell. Following a period as an actress, Reader returned to music older and wiser, and a mother, with many a tale to tell. The result has been a two-decade career making folk with a strong Scottish accent, not least on her 2003 album Sings the Songs of Robert Burns (re-issued in 2009).

A frequent collaborator with songwriter Boo Hewerdine, Reader has become something of a quiet national treasure, for Scotland at least. Her thoughtful folk, delicate musicianship and exquisite voice continues to resonate and find new audiences and there will be another chance to fall under Eddi's spell with her autumn 2012 tour.

The extensive tour kicks off in mid-October, taking in Exeter, Cardiff, Salford, Hebden Bridge, London (Union Chapel on 4th November), Glasgow, Perth and many more.

We have some tickets on sale now and will have more available from 9am on Friday 16th March, all priced around £20.

Stewart Darkin