PJ Harvey, Brixton Academy

Eek, arg, oh dear. England is limping a little of late. Since he hasn't emerged, resplendent, we think it's safe to inform you that King Arthur is a fraud.

But fear not, we have a new saviour. Our very own PJ Harvey, in all her bizarre magnificence, is coming to lead her country. ^{When times get tough, we Brits get tougher.}

PJ Harvey is the coolest woman in England. She recently made headlines reciting John Donne's meditation 'No Man is an Island' on the day Britain voted to leave the EU. Now, on the back of her overtly political album The Hope Six Demolition Project, PJ Harvey has announced a world tour.



The Mercury Prize Winner can play the accordion, the autoharp, the organ, the saxophone, the piano and the guitar. She is also Nick Cave's ex (The Boatman's Call was written about her), and has been made an MBE.

Harvey is pure theatre: each album is accompanied by a fully conceived character. First there was the stompy Doc Martens and black polo-neck, then the ballgown and wig, then drag-queen splendour.

And yet there seemed to be a time when the vocalist and multi-instrumentalist was gently settling, jettisoning the wild blues of her earlier work for well-made but unexciting indie rock.

Thankfully, that time now feels long past. First came White Chalk (2007), a bewitching set of piano-led folk that saw her voice soar like never before. And then there was Let England Shake (2011), her genre-hopping, Mercury Award-winning exploration of war. One of the defining artists of the 1990s is now a definite artists of the 21st century.

The Hope Six Demolition Project is her most political album yet - the first since the Mercury Award. The album was created in sessions open to the public as part of a Somerset House art installation. It's not as accessible as Let England Shake, but it sure is timely. Don't miss the rare chance to see one of our finest musicians - book now.




Tickets for London on sale Wednesday 13 July at 9am BST