On the week of the release of his new album Rainbow Valley, Australian musician Matt Corby announces his biggest New Zealand headline concerts yet, at Auckland’s Civic Theatre on April 18, and Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington on April 20.

Matt and his band will play songs from the new album to New Zealand audiences for the first time, playing his first headline shows since the Telluric Tour in 2016. Set to start in January, the upcoming UK and European Rainbow Valley Tour has already sold in Oslo and Stockholm, with a second date added at London’s iconic Forum.

For a decade, the multi-platinum-selling musician has been pushing his own boundaries, embracing a journey of self-discovery that’s seen him wrestle a few pre-conceptions and stare down his share of demons. With two ARIA Song of the Year awards and a #1 debut album behind him, Corby can genuinely lay claim to some hard-earned perspective.

Now we see a new chapter in Corby’s life with the release of his much anticipated second album. Recorded in the idyllic surroundings of Byron Bay’s Music Farm studios, Rainbow Valley will be released this Friday November 2.

Lush, multi-textured and sparked by hints of both old soul and futuristic psychedelia, Rainbow Valley is, in Corby’s words “joyous music”, but it also has the depth and perspective of an artist who understands you can’t just take the good times for granted, you have to earn them. The sparkling first single No Ordinary Life, the bare-bones ballad All Fired Up and current single All That I See have received widespread acclaim and give fans a taste of what to expect on Corby’s stunning new album.

MATT CORBY