Producer and arranger to the likes of U2, Coldplay, Peter Gabriel and Blur, New Zealander John Metcalfe is one of the most sought after musicians in the business. In addition to collaborations with a huge range of artists from Morrissey to George Michael and his work in radio/tv he tours and records as violist with the renown classical Duke String Quartet. He was a member of cult band Durutti Column and alongside Tony Wilson launched the pioneering Factory Classical on Manchester’s legendary Factory label. He also performs and records with the Max Richter Ensemble. More recently he conducted and arranged the orchestra for U2’s BBC special, recorded at Abbey Road studios. Metcalfe’s album,‘The Appearance of Colour’, (“divinely beautiful” - Clash, "staggeringly beautiful"- Mary Anne Hobbs) beautifully unites the disparate strands of his kaleidoscopic musical world. Within the album are powerful rhythmic strings evoking the world of systems music, moments of transcendent solo piano, shimmering electronics and guitar, elements of drum and bass, and of chamber music. His shows feature an incredible line up of musicians from the worlds of post-classical, electronica and pop: crisp, jazz-influenced beats from master drummer Richard Spaven (Flying Lotus), deeply felt groove from Red Snapper's bassist Ali Friend and the exquisite voice of Rosie Doonan, fresh back from touring with Birdy. Metcalfe's new album 'Tree' is out on 28.09.23 on Real World Records.