Joanna Newsom Chooses Folk Legend for London Gigs

Harp-playing singer/songwriter Joanna Newsom has personally invited Britfolk veteran Roy Harper as her support act for two London dates this spring. Newsom plays the Royal Festival Hall on May 11-12, after gracing the All Tomorrow Parties (ATP) weekend curated by Simpsons creator Matt Groening.

Harper previously supported the Californian artist at another London venue, the Royal Albert Hall, three years ago.

Newsom revealed then that the 68-year-old's classic album 'Stormcock' had served as an inspiration for her own acclaimed sophomore effort 'Ys,' and on the night Harper played the 1971 record in its entirety.

Afterwards, Harper announced he was retiring from live performance, dashing any hopes he would enjoy a renaissance similar to that of Vashti Bunyan, herself feted by high-profile US fans, notably Animal Collective and Devendra Banhart.

Tickets are now selling fast for these two rarely seen artists, ahead of the release of Newsom's third album 'Have One On Me.' A triple-disc set, the highly-anticipated follow-up to 2006's 'Ys' has been kept under careful wraps by her label Drag City before its Mar. 1 release. ATP, meanwhile, takes place May 7--9 at Butlins in Minehead, Somerset, where Newsom joins Iggy and the Stooges, Spiritualized and the Residents.