Aqualung & Georgia Lines

Let’s start by going back to the beginning. Early in 2002, Matt Hales was a self-proclaimed “failed indie musician” who would spend his days writing beautifully intimate songs on a piano located within the hallway of his equally intimate (but infinitely less beautiful) London flat. He felt there was a sense of opportunity on the horizon, which fortuitously presented itself when his song ‘Strange and Beautiful’ was chosen to soundtrack a Volkswagen advert. Its beguiling, meditative charm won over fans in theUK, who catapulted the song into the Top 10.

And so, Hales’ Aqualung artist project was born. The debut self-titled Aqualung album reached Gold status in recognition of over 100,000 domestic sales, while the symphonic scope of his second album, ‘Still Life’, led to a US hit with ‘Brighter Than Sunshine’. By the time Aqualung’s third album, ‘Memory Man’ emerged, glowing comparisons had been made with everyone from Bacharach to Radiohead via The Beach Boys, while his music has featured in ‘Twilight’, ‘Gossip Girl’ and ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.

In tandem, Hales found himself in growing demand as producer and songwriter. Collaborating with all kinds of artists – including Olivia Dean, Lianne La Havas, Bat For Lashes, Mika, Tom Chaplin, Disclosure, For King & Country and many others – his hectic yet immensely rewarding schedule resulted in huge acclaim, including both an Ivor Novello and a Grammy Award. It was no wonder, then, that aside from occasionally resurfacing, Aqualung remained in hibernation.

2022’s masterful ‘Dead Letters’ led to a joyously received UK tour (Matt’s first in nearly 20 years!) which leads us to October 26th 2024 and an exceedingly rare opportunity to see Aqualung live in Los Angeles. Back at Hotel Cafe, 2 decades since his debut US show at the same venue, it’s not to be missed.

Georgia Lines has garnered acclaim for her exceptional songwriting prowess, making her a standout artist in the Aotearoa music scene and beyond. Georgia Lines won Best Pop Artist at the 2024 Aotearoa Music Awards, highlighting her talent and impact. Her debut album, “The Rose Of Jericho,” released on June 7th, 2024, hit #1 in New Zealand, showcasing her skill in crafting compelling songs. Her EP “HUMAN” topped the Official Top 20 NZ Album charts and amassed over 7 million streams, with the lead single ‘Faith’ holding the #1 NZ Airplay for four consecutive weeks. Georgia’s songwriting has been celebrated for its emotive and relatable themes, as seen in her singles “Monopoly” and “Romeo,” which both achieved significant radio success. Her work has resonated deeply with audiences, leading to multiple sold-out NZ headline tours and standout performances at prestigious events such as SXSW, where she received 5-star reviews. Through her web series, INTROS, Georgia also promotes and showcases the songwriting talents of emerging non-binary and female artists, further cementing her role as a vital force in the music industry.