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Jordan Rakei
Photo: Universal Music
New Zealand-born Jordan Rakei admits he is “feeling the pressure” ahead of his appearance at one of the country’s biggest music festivals.
The London-based singer-songwriter has spent the last decade establishing himself as an industrious and multi-talented performer.
After moving to the UK from Australia in 2015, the 32-year-old has built quite the resume; big collaborations, marquee live appearances and also five studio albums to boot.
Rakei has played the hallowed turf of Glastonbury, alongside appearances on NPR’s popular Tiny Desk Concert showcase and longrunning music TV show Later…with Jools Holland.
On Friday he will play a late-afternoon slot inside “the Hangar” of Christchurch’s Electric Avenue.
With a return to the big stage in his homeland, there was a mix of excitement and pre-event tension, Rakei said.
“In a way it’s a massive opportunity for me and the band to get a vibe of what a New Zealand festival is like because we’ve never really played one.
“I do actually feel quite nervous, because I know what to expect with a European crowd, but I don’t know if the Kiwis will want more vibe, or dance, or party, or more sing-songs.”
Jordan Rakei
Photo: Universal Music
A deep and varied back catalogue should help Rakei tailor his set list as he sees fit.
Although his vocal delivery is strongly rooted in classic soul and R&B, musically he has mined many styles including jazz, funk and electronica.
On his latest album The Loop he tries his hand at expansively arranged grandiosity, loaded with strings, horns and choirs against some candid lyrical themes.
“Every time I make an album I want to change the process so that I’m coming at it with a fresh perspective.
“With the new album I read a book by Nick Cave and he was talking about if you feel a lyric physiologically then you’re heading in the right direction.
“I read that as soon as I started writing my album and I was like every single song I have to feel, otherwise, it’s just filler.
“Being uncomfortable makes me perform better.”
Rakei has crammed plenty into his ten years since he departed the comforts of Brisbane.
He signed to esteemed electronic independent Ninja Tune in 2017, where he subsequently released three albums.
The Loop is his first full-length album with a major label.
Beyond his own material, Rakei has proven to be a sought-after guest vocalist over the years, with collaborations with Disclosure, Nightmares on Wax and Bonobo.
His guest spot on Disclosure’s Grammy-nominated second album Caracal in 2015 occurred the same year he arrived in the UK.
Rakei also released Small Moments under his Dan Kye moniker in 2020, proving that the tender vocalist also had production chops conducive to the dance floor.
Although heading into somewhat uncharted waters, Rakei said playing Electric Avenue was an “exciting” prospect.
He was planning on getting to the festival early in order to get a gauge on the atmosphere, before he hits the stage at 4pm.
“If people are going crazy I’ll just bring out all the bangers.”
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