John Grant & Richard Hawley in Sunderland

John Grant is an American singer-songwriter, born in Buchanan, Michigan, in 1968. He first recorded as the frontman of the Denver alternative-rock band the Czars, then began a solo career with the album Queen of Denmark. His catalogue includes Pale Green Ghosts, Grey Tickles, Black Pressure and the songs “GMF” and “Glacier,” moving between piano-led songwriting and electronic pop. John Grant’s collaboration with the BBC Philharmonic was released in 2014 as John Grant and the BBC Philharmonic: Live in Concert. He has also performed at Glastonbury Festival and presented his solo catalogue in British theatres and concert halls, including a headline concert at the Royal Albert Hall.

Richard Hawley is an English singer, songwriter and guitarist born in Sheffield in 1967. A former member of Longpigs, he built his solo catalogue around baritone vocals, guitar-led rock and orchestral pop. His best-known records include Coles Corner, Lady’s Bridge, Truelove’s Gutter and Standing at the Sky’s Edge, alongside songs such as “Tonight the Streets Are Ours” and “The Ocean.” Richard Hawley toured as an additional guitarist with Pulp during the periods around This Is Hardcore and We Love Life. His own concerts are performed with a full band, and one notable engagement was issued as Live at the Devil’s Arse, recorded at Peak Cavern in Castleton. Outside his home city, he has performed at London’s Royal Albert Hall and at Glastonbury Festival.