Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory Announce Wellington and Christchurch Headline Shows with Shannon Lay

Following the recent news that Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory will headline The Others Way Festival this November, Banished Music and Strange News announce two exclusive Aotearoa headline shows — Wellington Opera House on Tuesday 25 November and Christchurch’s Isaac Theatre Royal on Thursday 27 November.

Joining the tour is special guest Shannon Lay, the acclaimed Los Angeles songwriter whose solo sets have been hailed as quietly devastating and sonically rich — a perfect match for Van Etten’s emotionally charged new direction.

These headline dates come hot on the heels of the release of The Attachment Theory’s self-titled debut album — an electrifying new chapter in Sharon Van Etten’s already iconic career. Sixteen years since her solo debut, Van Etten is now fronting what The Independent calls an “early Album of the Year contender,” backed by a powerhouse band: Devra Hoff (bass/backing vocals), Teeny Lieberson (keys/guitar/backing vocals), and Jorge Balbi (drums).

“The Attachment Theory are a tight unit, woven together by Devra Hoff’s inventive, intelligent bass lines... this show was less about [Sharon’s] past and more about her future, which appears to lie with The Attachment Theory – a band who, on this evidence, are bringing the very best out of her.” – Manchester Evening News

Both standalone shows serve as a prelude to their highly anticipated appearance at The Others Way Festival — and mark Sharon’s first full-band shows in Aotearoa since her 2019 Remind Me Tomorrow tour.

Opening act Shannon Lay has earned accolades for her genre-defying songwriting and ability to walk the line between punk grit and folk grace. Known for her work with Ty Segall’s Freedom Band and a solo discography that’s drawn comparisons to Nick Drake and Vashti Bunyan, The Guardian dubbed her “no mere indie-folk musician,” while Pitchfork praised her most recent record as “a quiet, lovely, undramatic rendering of the dramatic.”

This is more than a return — it’s a full-blown reinvention. Don’t miss Sharon Van Etten, her formidable new band, and the raw beauty of Shannon Lay, live in Wellington and Christchurch this November.

Tickets on sale Friday 10am via Banished Music