Loudon Wainwright III with Lucy Roche Wainwright

Candid, humorous and emotionally powerful songwriter Loudon Wainwright III is coming to New Zealand for a concert tour in February 2008.It's certainly been too long for New Zealand audiences to have been able to experience this unique and influential performer in person.

Loudon is heading to New Zealand in support of his acclaimed new album, Strange Weirdos: Music from and Inspired by the Film Knocked Up. The record was produced by Joe Henry (Solomon Burke, Aimee Mann), who described the result as the "best Loudon Wainwright album in 15 years."

Loudon Wainwright III began his career as a folk singer/songwriter in the late '60s, singing funny and nakedly honest autobiographical songs. Signed to Atlantic Records, he recorded Album I (1970) and Album II (1971), accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, before switching to Columbia Records, for which he made the folk-rock Album III (1972), which featured the Top 40 novelty hit "Dead Skunk."

Wainwright has built a cult following with funny, biting, and incisive songs about virtually any subject. He is, according to Tom Surowicz of the Twin Cities Reader, "a thoroughly compelling master of irony" and in Rolling Stone contributor David Browne's words, "our greatest pop satirist."

Ultimately, his humor and engaging stage persona have made him a cult figure and a concert favorite. Don't miss this one of a kind artist on his upcoming New Zealand tour.