If you are going to be seeing Taylor Swift’s 1989 tour this summer then you are in for a great show. Not just from Swift but from her opening act Vance Joy as well. I discovered Vance Joy in 2013 while listening to iHeartradio. The first time that I heard “Riptide”, I was hooked. It wasn’t long before I found myself searching for the rest of his music online. I was not disappointed. Everything that Vance Joy sings is full of soul and heart. But who is Vance Joy exactly?
Vance Joy is an Australian born singer/songwriter born James Keogh. He grew up being inspired by musicians like Bob Dylan and George Harrison, which is evident in his sound today. In 2008 he played football for Coburg Football Club in the Victorian Football League where he won awards for his athleticism. He graduated from St Kevin’s College Toorah as well as Monash University with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws. His heart, though, was always in his music. He began his musical career mostly by playing cover songs. He would play Green Day’s “Time of Our Life” over and over while singing his own lyrics.
It wasn’t long before he was discovered. He signed a five album deal with Atlantic Records in 2013. His debut album, “God Loves You When You’re Dancing” , was released in March 2013. His most popular song from that album, “Riptide”, was voted #1 on the 2013 Triple J Hottest 100. It would be the song that would launch his career worldwide.
In Oct. 2014, Swift performed her rendition of “Riptide” for a segment on the BBC’s Live Lounge.
Vance Joy did his own cover of Taylor Swift’s “I Know Places”. Swift herself said that Vance Joy does her songs the best. She tweeted his praises saying, “There have been many amazing covers of 1989 songs. I’m going to be bold enough to say this one is my favorite.”.
Swift wasn’t the only person who took notice of Vance Joy’s version, though. Time called Joy’s version “gorgeous”. Billboard’s Jason Upshutz said, “Joy’s take on the track features just an acoustic guitar, vocals, and a whole lot of yearning.”
Soon after, in November 2014, it was announced that Vance Joy would open for Taylor Swift during her 1989 world tour. I am going on record now as saying that this is only the very beginning of many years of success for Vance Joy. I look forward to enjoying his music for years to come. Feel free to check out a few of my favorites of his below and if you are going to see him this summer – Enjoy the show!
https://youtu.be/kINi_D0SW0Y
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