Philippa Hanna Will Tour with Leona Lewis & Prepares New Album

By Timothy Yap Feb 01, 2016 05:37 AM EST

UK-based Christian music artist and songwriter Philippa Hanna will join X Factor winner Leona Lewis on her UK Tour later this month. Meanwhile, Hanna will release her fifth studio album on 29th April, with the first single, 'Arrow', due for release on 11th March.

"Leona Lewis has invited me to open her nearly-sold-out tour starting next month", confirmed Hanna. "I had the pleasure of saying hello to her last summer on Skype courtesy of a singing lesson with Brett Manning but can't believe this is now happening!"

As for her new single and new album, Philippa Hana says: "We have some exciting ways for you to get involved in this and you can pre-order CD's and some really cool goodies from today at rocketfuelhq.com. The more pre-orders we can get, the more promotion we'll be able to get behind the launch so please don't wait until April to order your copy."

"It saddens me a little but excites me a lot to let you know that me and Joel will be relocating to Nashville this summer. Having gained so much support from the industry in Music City along with the export development grant from UK Trade & Investment it feels like the right time to make the move. We are so grateful for every supporter in the UK and would love to pack in as many acoustic nights, concerts, church visits and social appointments as possible before we leave."

Philippa Hanna is a British singer-songwriter from Sheffield, England. Since the independent release of debut album Watching Me in 2007, Philippa Hanna has grown from her roots in the Gospel scene to be one of the most engaging and inspiring songwriters in the UK.

Since a young age, Philippa knew that making music was all she wanted to do. As a child she would join her Irish folk singer father Pat on stage, and her musical family includes bassist Stuart Zender (Jamiroquai, Mark Ronson). Her songwriting frequently draws on her turbulent youth, and the Christian faith she found in 2004.

A tireless performer, her own tours take in over 150 dates each year. In 2012, she supported Lionel Richie on his UK arena tour, a feat she repeated opening for Wet Wet Wet in December 2013. She toured in 2014 on both her own headline tour and a support slot with X Factor star Rebecca Ferguson.

Her third studio album, the country-influenced Through the Woods was recorded at the legendary Steelworks Studios in Sheffield, and was released in July 2013 to critical acclaim and five-star reviews. She subsequently appeared on Good Morning Sunday with presenter Clare Balding, playing live on air. Tracks from the album have also been championed by BBC heavywieghts Janice Long, Paul O'Grady and Hardeep Singh Kohli.

Songs like "I Am Amazing" and "Raggedy Doll" have seen Philippa campaign for self-esteem in young people, and she is an advocate for children's charity Compassion. Philippa has published two autobiographical books: More (2008) charts her adolescence, and Following the Breadcrumbs (2013) traces the "everyday miracles" of her faith.

Leona Lewis Tour Dates 2016:

21 Feb 2016 - Liverpool Empire

22 Feb 2016 - Sheffield City Hall

24 Feb 2016 - Manchester Bridgewater Hall

25 Feb 2016 - Gateshead Sage

28 Feb 2016 - Birmingham Symphony Hall

01 Mar 2016 - Bristol Colston Hall

02 Mar 2016 - Cardiff St David's Hall

04 Mar 2016 - London Palladium

05 Mar 2016 - London Palladium

07 Mar 2016 - Ipswich Regent Theatre

08 Mar 2016 - Glasgow Clyde Auditorium