John Metcalfe

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. His output spans many genres. 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 Ensemble. In 2017 he conducted and arranged the orchestra for U2’s BBC special, recorded at the legendary Abbey Road studios.

Metcalfe’s gorgeous latest solo album,‘The Appearance of Colour’, (described as “effervescent, divinely beautiful” by Clash magazine and "staggeringly beautiful" by Mary Anne Hobbs on BBC 6Music) 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’s has assembled an incredible line up of musicians from the worlds of post-classical, electronica and pop: 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, fresh back from touring with Birdy.

Metcalfe’s 5th studio album ‘Absence’ is out now on Berlin’s Neue Meister label.

"One of the UK's best, most consistently brilliant artists." - Drowned In Sound