John Metcalfe (Durutti Column, Duke String Quartet, producer and arranger for Peter Gabriel, Blur) brings a rare live performance of his latest album ‘Tree’, out on Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records. Coupled with gorgeous visuals from Jony Easterby, the music reflects an imagined 24-hour cycle in the life of a tree experienced by observing the ever-shifing interplay of light, colour and sound whilst exploring the intense and mystifying effect trees have on us all; our relaatonship with their physicality, their essence, and their importance to the future of our planet.
Joining John on stage are some of the UK’s finest string players who have played on countless Hollywood film scores and with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé and Coldplay.
JOHN METCALFE... Born in New Zealand but made in Manchester, John was a member of cult post-punk band Durutti Column and alongside Tony Wilson launched the pioneering Factory Classical on Manchester’s legendary Factory label whilst simultaneously cutting his clubbing teeth at the great city’s Hacienda.
Alongside his solo output he has collaborated with a huge range of artists from the worlds of music, dance and film including artists such as U2 and George Michael. He has also performed and recorded with the Max Richter Ensemble. A classically trained violist, John has toured worldwide and recorded with his own Duke String Quartet. With his band, he has performed at major festivals and released 6 solo albums on labels such as Real World.
‘The Appearance of Colour’, (described as “effervescent, divinely beautiful” by Clash magazine) is an exemplar of Metcalfe’s style, beautifully uniting the disparate strands of his kaleidoscopic musical world.
"Bold. Sweeping. Majestic. Wonderous." Higher Plain Music
"staggeringly beautiful" Mary Anne Hobbs - BBC 6 Music
“Stunning..one of the UK's best, most consistently brilliant artists” - Drowned In Sound
