- Video
- Image
Original Facebook release of Riptide 2:53
- Play video
Vance Joy purportedly shared a mobile phone recording of his song Riptide before it's offical release on Facebook.
- news.com.au
- 29 Jan 2014
- Lifestyle
Creeping up ... Vance Joy is at No. 47 in the US this week with Riptide. Pic: Jono Searle Source: News Corp Australia
MELBOURNE singer Vance Joy has been hand-picked by Taylor Swift to join her US tour next year.
Joy will open for Swift in stadiums across the US and Canada from May to October next year.
“It’s so generous of her to give me that opportunity,” 26-year-old Joy said. “I get the chance to play stadiums around America. As soon as I knew it was a possibility I couldn’t in my wildest dreams imagine not doing it. These will be the most people I’ve ever played to. The opportunity to connect with that many people is a once in a lifetime thing.”
The move follows Swift’s piano cover of his global hit Riptide on UK radio earlier this year.
“She nailed it, it’s such a good cover,” Joy said.
DOWN UNDER: Taylor Swift to tour Australia in 2015
SWIFT RISE: Taylor’s album 1989 is Australia’s fastest-selling album of 2014
CREEPING UP: Vance Joy cracks the American chart with Riptide
Taylor Swift - Riptide cover
“When I started writing Riptide I was briefly toying with playing it on the piano not ukulele, so it was cool seeing her do it on piano. It adds a bit more gravity and emotion.
“And when she did that song I realised that she knew who I was. Sometimes you never know if the headliner has chosen the support act. But she’s so involved in every level and takes an interest in every aspect of her show. It’s so flattering she chose me.
“I’m gong to have to raise my game to perform in that size of venues. There’ll be a lot to learn from this tour which is awesome.”
Riptide continues to creep up the American chart, breaking the Top 50 at No. 47 this week.
Joy’s debut album Dream Your Life Away entered the Australian chart at No. 1, No. 2 in Canada and Top 20 in both the US and UK.
The Melbourne musician has been promoting Riptide in America for over 18 months, with the song slowly crossing from alternative radio to mainstream radio.
“I’m heading to every radio station that exists, there’s so many hands to be shaken and people to be met,” Joy said. “But you can see the work paying off.”
Support ... Taylor Swift has hand-picked Vance Joy to open for her across the US and Canada. Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Source: Getty Images
Supporting Swift’s stadium tour helped break her mate Ed Sheeran in the US two years ago.
Michael Gudinski, who signed Joy three years ago, gave Swift’s manager a copy of Riptide last year.
“What supporting Taylor did for Ed Sheeran in America was phenomenal,” Gudinski said.
“Something like that can make all the difference. Lots of artists have the right music, but it’s about getting the right exposure at the right time. I’m very proud.”
Meanwhile Joy’s travels across the world have seen him bump into another famous fan — Daniel Radcliffe.
IT'S VANCE JOY WITH DANIEL RADCLIFFE! pic.twitter.com/5sVABAdX0q
— Ashley Kay (@This_Ash_Hole) October 29, 2014
“He was such a lovely guy, and he knew my music,” Joy said. “That photo of us is the best performing photo I’ve ever put on any social media. It’s was like ‘Here’s a photo with Daniel Radcliffe’ and, it went absolutely crazy. Then you’ll go ‘Here’s a live version of my song’, and it’s silence! I need to get a photo of me and Taylor, that’ll destroy the record.”
Joy returns to Australia to play Falls Festivals around the New Year’s period.
He’ll then enjoy a holiday before a headline Australian tour in March — with new shows added in Perth and Melbourne and on sale this Friday from vancejoy.com
