Universal Music New Zealand have revealed that English songstress and pianist, Frances, will be making her New Zealand debut next month, performing an exclusive showcase for select media and invited guests on June 21st.
 
Having been tipped as the next breakout star of 2016 – and after already gaining associations with the likes of Sam Smith and Disclosure– this very special one-off showcase will be a part of a short promotional tour to the country.
 
Frances burst on to the UK music scene with her piano ballad ‘Grow’, which quickly became one of the most cherished slow burners of 2015 with 1.5 million streams across SoundCloud, YouTube and Spotify.
 
Now, with two EPs, an acclaimed Coachella set, an unforgettable Radio 1 Live Lounge performance of Justin Bieber’s ‘What Do You Mean?’, 20 million streams and counting, and a debut album in the works, the future looks bright for one of the UK’s most gifted young singer-songwriters.
 
The official first single for New Zealand audiences, ‘Don’t Worry About Me’ was chosen as BBC Radio 1 Annie Mac’s ‘Hottest Record in the World’ and is complemented by an equally incredibly moving video, watch it here.
 
Though barely in her twenties, Frances’ soul-bearing vocals and youthful whimsy have already earned her nominations for the BRIT Awards Critics’ Choice Award and BBC Sound of 2016.
 
While many of Frances’ songs are dreamt up on the piano, her versatility has seen her collaborate with Canadian producer Pomo for the neo-jazz track ‘I Care’, and write alongside Disclosure’s Howard Lawrence on the funky, soul-tinged ‘Borrowed Time’.
 
In her short time in London since moving from her Berkshire home in England’s south-east, Frances has found herself in sessions with acclaimed pop songwriters including Grammy and Oscar winner Jimmy Napes (Sam Smith, Disclosure, Mary J. Blige), Greg Kurstin (Adele’s ‘Hello’, Beck, Sia) and Jonny Latimer (Ellie Goulding, James Bay).
 
The experience of writing with these acclaimed songwriters blended with Frances’ own blossoming talents are set to create a debut album filled with heartfelt lyrics and unforgettable melodies, set for release later this year.