Nearly a year ago now, Grace Petrie delivered her eighth studio album, Queer as Folk which was chosen by Mojo as a Top 10 album of the year. The album opened with a brave show of strength to a reworking of Ian Campbell’s Old Man’s Tale which she titled ‘A Young Woman’s Tale’. Singing unaccompanied, she references the Miners’ Strike, Thatcher and Blair, the Iraq war, tax relief for the rich in the face of mass austerity, and the collapse of the NHS. In his review of the album, Mike Davies concluded that it was “An album of personal and political power, passion and perception”. He adds that “it is hugely persuasive proof that Petrie most deservedly earns her place at the table.” Since that album release, she’s done exactly that.
She has continued to build a solid following built on potent lyrics and powerful live performances – The New Yorker called her “an effervescent charm-bomb of a performer”. Meanwhile, hearing the term “the place erupted” is becoming something of a norm when she takes to the stage:
“Hello,” said Grace Petrie sweetly. “I’m a protest singer.” Murmurs of approval. “Actually I’m a socialist, feminist, lesbian, left-wing protest singer…” The place erupted.’ The first lines of The Guardian review of the Cambridge Folk Festival.
That solid reputation led to a UK arena tour supporting Frank Turner. She has slogged her way through to get where she is today. Hailing from Leicester, UK, Grace has been writing, recording and touring relentlessly for ten years. Her unique take on life, love and politics, and the warmth and with which they are delivered, have won over audiences wherever she performs. If you’ve yet to see her live, then now’s your chance as she announces a headline tour which kicks off next month.
GRACE PETRIE UK HEADLINE TOUR DATES 2019
Monday 30th September – The Place, Bedford
Wednesday 2nd October – West End Centre, Aldershot
Thursday 3rd October – Quay Arts, Newport, Isle Of Wight
Friday 4th October – Dingwalls, London
Saturday 5th October – St. John The Evangelist, Oxford
Wednesday 9th October – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
Thursday 10th October – Pocklington Arts Centre
Friday 11th October – The Brudenell, Leeds
Saturday 12th October – The Leadmill, Sheffield
Thursday 17th October – Manchester Folk Festival
Friday 18th October – The Harris, Preston
Saturday 19th October – Hartlepool Folk Festival
Sunday 20th October – Kitchen Garden Café, Birmingham
Monday 21st October – The Railway Inn, Winchester
Tuesday 22nd October – The Komedia, Brighton
Thursday 24th – The Pound, Corsham
Friday 25th October – The Thekla, Bristol
Saturday 26th October – The Moon, Cardiff
Sunday 27th October – The Plough, Great Torrington
Monday 28th October – Exeter Phoenix
More details and ticket links: http://gracepetrie.com/gigs/