Singular Voices: Beth Orton

Well known for her mesmerising onstage presence and powerfully emotive vocals, English singer-songwriter Beth Orton performs Weather Alive, one of the most critically acclaimed records released in 2022, at City Recital Hall as part of its Singular Voices series. Performing with her full band, this will be Orton’s first Sydney show in six years and will feature songs from across her storied career.

Across almost 30 years, Orton’s sound has shapeshifted from her output with The Chemical Brothers, Andrew Weatherall and William Orbit, to a pioneer of an electronic, woozy brand of trip-hop. Over the course of seven albums, Orton has resolutely refuted categorisation, weaving from a hushed, folk-informed storytelling to dark, brooding esoteric experimentalism.

‘The eighth album from the English songwriter is the best work of her career. Soothing, immersive, and self-produced, it conjures a dreamlike atmosphere with songs that spiral out into the ether.’ – Best New Music, Pitchfork

‘This is as moving and real as Orton has ever been … Nestles somewhere between Talk Talk’s final years and Bill Fay’s late beauties, between Alice Coltrane’s intimate hymns and Fiona Apple’s softest moments... the musical richness only mirrors Orton’s astounding writing’ – ★★★★ MOJO

‘Orton’s best record in more than 20 years’ – ★★★★ Classic Pop

‘Orton’s hits, such as She Cries Your Name, Central Reservation abide in her set list… Weather Alive is an enormously exciting record’ – ★★★★ The Guardian