A SINGER who has been building up critical acclaim is starting her first ever tour in the North West.

Harriet is hitting the road after winning critical acclaim following the release of her self-titled debut album in October.

Frequently championed by Radio 2’s Graham Norton and Paul O’Grady, the London based singer-songwriter has been causing quite a stir in the UK with her voice and music; recently described by BBC Radio London’s Gaby Roslin as “extraordinary”.

She said: “I’m looking forward to performing the album live in front of a wider audience.

“I live in London and have been performing for audiences in my own city so I can’t wait to get out and meet fans across the country.

“I know they are out there because I get some lovely messages from people asking when I’m going to come a perform up North.

“There has been some wonderful feedback from performing songs live, that’s when the song really comes alive when you feel the audience reaction.”

The string of live dates will see Harriet performing with a six-piece band and will coincide with the official release of her new single, ‘Whoever You Are’ off her album.

Recorded at Angel Studios with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the album combines a contemporary production with ethereal strings. The tour’s first stop will be The Met in Bury on February 15.

Harriet added: “For me it is so nice to start somewhere so far away from London.

“Everything is kicking off at The Met which is brilliant as I have never been to Bury before. I’ve been to Manchester before and know what a buzzing musical scene there is.

“The Met has a pretty jam-packed programme so it is wonderful to be part of it!”

While Graham Norton has claimed the discovery of Harriet on his BBC Radio 2 show, describing her as a “lovely girl with a gorgeous, gorgeous voice”, she is keen to get out on her first UK tour.

She explains: “The national radio support has been absolutely phenomenal, if it wasn’t for the exposure, people in Bury and Bolton would never have heard me.

“I was working full-time and didn’t start making music until about four years ago, and wrote half the album two to three years ago.

“I never wanted to put out an album of three good

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songs and the rest filler. Each of the 12 songs have their own mood and are great songs in their own right.

“It will be wonderful to explore new places and I can’t wait to bring the songs to life in front of a new audience with a live band, it’s going to be really special.”

Harriet will be performing at the Derby Hall from 8pm, tickets available from themet.biz and www.harrietsmusic.com.

The tour will then take her to Selby Town Hall, Gateshead The Sage, Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham, Pizza Express Live Birmingham and finishes in London on February 28.