Last year, breakout star Rina Sawayama drew effusive praise from Elton John for her excellent debut album, SAWAYAMA. After getting to know each other over on the phone, they convened at a London studio in December to record a new version of her song, “Chosen Family”, which you can stream via the performance video below.
“The song means so much to both of us, and recording it together was such a special experience I will never forget,” Sawayama said in a statement. “I got shivers when I heard his voice through the monitor and became emotional when he added the piano parts. Elton has been such a huge supporter from before the album, and when we finally met to record this song we clicked from the get go. I hope people can hear the magic!”
Despite releasing one of the best albums of 2020, Sawayama found herself ineligible to win a Mercury Prize or BRIT Award due to an archaic nationality requirement. In February, the Japanese-British singer revealed the rules would be changing starting this year, allowing artists who have lived in the UK for over five years to be nominated.
In addition to the new version of “Chosen Family”, Sawayama joining the growing ranks of artists returning to the road. All original tickets are being honored, but there are still plenty available on StubHub.
The 15-date North American leg begins on September 28th at San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall, after which she will play a second show at the venue before continuing on to cities including Seattle, Chicago, Toronto, Boston, and New York City. She will perform a pair of shows at Brooklyn Steel on October 24th and 25th.
In November, Sawayama will cross over to the UK, where she will play a total of six dates in Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Birmingham, and London — the latter city will close out the tour on November 17th with a show at Roundhouse. Check out the full schedule below.
“Chosen Family” Artwork:
Rina Sawayama 2021 Tour Dates:
09/28 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
09/29 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
10/05 – Portland, OR @ Holocene
10/06 – Seattle, WA @ Washington Hall
10/12 – Denver, CO @ Globe Hall
10/13 – Denver, CO @ Globe Hall
10/15 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line
10/16 – Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
10/18 – Toronto, ON @ Mod Club
10/19 – Montreal, QC @ Corona
10/20 – Boston, MA @ Royale
10/22 – Washington, DC @ Union Stage
10/23 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Foundry at The Fillmore
10/24 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel
10/25 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel
11/09 – Manchester, UK @ Albert Hall
11/11 – Leeds, UK @ Beckett Students’ Union
11/13 – Glasgow, Scotland @ SWG3 TV Studio
11/15 – Birmingham, UK @ Institute
11/16 – London, UK @ Electric Brixton
11/17 – London, UK @ Roundhouse
