Producer and arranger to the likes of U2, Coldplay, Peter Gabriel and Blur, New Zealander John Metcalfe is one of the most sought after musicians in the business. In addition to collaborations with a huge range of artists from Morrissey to George Michael and his work in radio/TV, he tours and records as violist with the renown classical Duke String Quartet. He was a member of cult band Durutti Column and, alongside Tony Wilson, launched the pioneering Factory Classical on Manchester’s legendary Factory label. He also performs and records with the Max Richter Ensembl
Metcalfe’s gorgeous fourth solo album, 2015’s The Appearance of Colour – described as ‘effervescent, divinely beautiful’ by Clash magazine and ‘staggeringly beautiful’ by Mary Anne Hobbs on BBC 6 Music – beautifully unites the disparate strands of his kaleidoscopic musical world. Within the album are powerful rhythmic strings evoking the world of systems music, moments of transcendent solo piano, shimmering electronics and guitar, elements of drum and bass, and of chamber music.
For his live shows Metcalfe has assembled an incredible line-up of musicians from the worlds of post-classical, electronica and folk: the crisp, jazz-influenced beats from master drummer Richard Spaven (Cinematic Orchestra, Flying Lotus), deeply felt groove from Red Snapper’s bassist Ali Friend and the exquisite voice of Rosie Doonan.
