ben-watt-postpone

Ben Watt's U.S. dates with Bernard Butler postponed due to visa issues (but listen to a new track from his solo LP)

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Everything But the Girl’s Ben Watt was to play his first-ever U.S. solo shows (with onetime Suede guitarist Bernard Butler backing him) this coming week — including two in NYC — in support of his new solo album, Hendra. Unfortunately…

I am beyond disappointed. In spite of punctually jumping through every hoop, and getting our work visas approved by the US Embassy in London, it seems both Bernard and I are now stuck in a bureaucratic bottleneck, and the US authorities will, for whatever reason, not be able to deliver our passports – containing the visas – back to us on time. We will not be able to come to the US next week. We are utterly powerless. I still can’t believe we are being forced to postpone. For what it’s worth, I gather we are not the only artists being forced into this invidious position. I will re-schedule at the earliest opportunity. Sorry to let everyone down. Ticket-holders should contact local venue.

Ben Watt

NYC shows were to have been Joe’s Pub on April 1 and Rough Trade on April 2. Let’s hope they get rescheduled soon. In the meantime, you can hear a new track from Hendra (out 4/29) — the surprisingly rocking “Nathaniel” — below.