Photo: WENN
Enigmatic pop megastar, Sia, has been announced for an incredibly rare live performance at Way Out West Festival in Sweden. Since making her breakthrough with 2014 monster hit, ‘Chandelier’, the Australian singer-songwriter has kept an anonymous profile – obscuring her face when appearing in the public eye.
The wig-donning artist has earnt acclaim as one of the best pop acts in the world, creating poignant and nuanced soundscapes that are a far cry from her chart dominating counter-parts. Her appearance at the Gothenburg event in August will be her first ever at a European festival.
Also announced for Way Out West are acclaimed French producer M83, electro-pop group Chvrches, Swedish folk star Anna Von Hauswolff, UK grime sensation Stormzy and ubiquitous producer Jamie XX. Many more artists are still to be revealed.
Ola Broqvist, Way Out West Festival Organiser, commented on the forthcoming edition of the Swedish event. He said: "It’s with great pleasure and honour that we announce Sia to join our programme for 2016. Our ambitions are to continuously programme a line up that presents the most exciting acts of the moment alongside heritage artists who have made history over the years. With our tenth birthday in our midst we will continue to push the boundaries across the music and film programme, whilst also taking positive steps to preserve the world that we live in."
Way Out West will be returning to its original venue in Slottskogen Park, Gothenburg from 11-13 August.
It will be fascinating to see how the mysterious Sia will fare in what is billed to be a rare live performance. The mononymous artist insists on masking her identity by sporting wigs, though that may be difficult to incorporate into a full live set.
It’s also believed that this announcement may set the wheels in motion for further festival appearances, with a heavily rumoured slot at Glastonbury currently doing the rounds.
Sia recently appeared on US chat show Ellen and explained her reasoning for wearing face-obscuring headpieces – claiming they allowed her some much-needed privacy during her ascent to stardom.
The popstar has also released a new track from her forthcoming solo album, This Is Acting. ‘Cheap Thrills’, a track originally written for Rihanna, will appear on the record which is said to be made up entirely of rejected tracks Sia had written for other artists.
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