Austin City Limits Presents UK Soul with Emeli Sandé & Michael Kiwanuka on Nov. 9th, 2013

Emeli Sandè on Austin City Limits “Next to Me” from Austin City Limits on Vimeo.

Sandé performs hits from her breakthrough album Our Version of Events, while Kiwanuka plays tunes from his debut Home Again. The episode premieres November 9th on PBS Stations. ACL airs weekly on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings for times) and full episodes are made available online at acltv.com immediately following the initial broadcast.

Sandé has achieved breakout success in her native UK and stateside with the striking debut, Our Version of Events, which was the biggest-selling album in 2012 in the UK and toppled The Beatles’ long-standing album chart record for the most consecutive weeks spent in the top 10 (an astounding 66 weeks). Sandé emerged as the big winner at this year’s 2013 Brit Awards, winning a pair of awards, including the coveted Album of the Year prize. The Los Angeles Times raves, “Emeli’s folk-inflected soul/pop is Nina Simone and Bob Dylan all in one.” The New York Times calls her “a redemptive singer,” saying “Ms. Sandé has a perspective-altering voice, clear and brassy and weapons-grade.” Originally starting her music career as a songwriter, Sandé had many stellar credits for other artists (Alicia Keys, Rihanna) to her name when she traded it in for the spotlight. A dynamic performer, Sandé opens her soulful ACL debut with the upbeat anthem “Heaven,” a huge UK hit. She engages the Austin crowd as her backing choir on her current single “My Kind of Love”, and closes out a stunning set with the massive hit “Next to Me”.

Michael Kiwanuka on Austin City Limits “I’m Getting Ready” from Austin City Limits on Vimeo.

“Emeli Sandé should be one of the brightest stars in the musical firmament, but despite her UK success, she’s one of the best-kept secrets here in the U.S.,” says executive producer Terry Lickona. Hopefully her ACL performance will change all that. The best word to describe her many talents is ‘astounding!’”

London native Michael Kiwanuka has been making waves with his debut album, the lush, acoustic-driven Home Again, which reached No. 4 on the British charts, spawned four singles, and went Top 10 around the world, earning the 24-year-old singer, songwriter and musician opening spots for superstar artists including Adele and Mumford & Sons, and a slot at the 2012 ACL Festival. Kiwanuka was announced the winner of the prestigious BBC Sound of 2012 poll, which has also been won by Jessie J, Florence + the Machine, and Ellie Goulding. Kiwanuka connects with the Austin audience with his blues-folk sound and timeless, soulful voice, which has led to comparisons to such artists as Bill Withers, Terry Callier, and John Martyn.

“Sometimes Michael’s singing comes across as very old-school, retro soul,” says Lickona. But he has a very contemporary sensibility. With Michael, it’s all about the voice, and that’s timeless!”

Emeli Sandé Setlist:
Heaven
My Kind of Love
Clown
Wonder
Next to Me

Michael Kiwanuka Setlist:
Tell Me A Tale
Always Waiting
Rest
Bones
I’m Getting Ready

Season 39 Fall Broadcast Schedule (six additional episodes to be announced)

October 5        Juanes | Jesse & Joy
October 12      Phoenix
October 19      The Lumineers | Shovels & Rope
October 26      Vampire Weekend | Grizzly Bear
November 2    Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell
November 9    Emeli Sandé | Michael Kiwanuka
November 16  Jim James | The Black Angels
November 23  ACL Presents: Americana Music Festival 2013

The complete line-up for the full 13-week season, including six new episodes to air beginning January 2014, will be announced at a later date. Check the news section of acltv.com for additional episode updates.

About Austin City Limits
Austin City Limits (ACL) is a television series on PBS that records and broadcasts original musical performances from exciting new talent and legendary artists of all genres.

Austin City Limits is the longest-running music series in American television history and remains the only TV series to ever be awarded the National Medal of Arts. ACL has been designated an official Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Landmark. In 2012, ACL received a rare institutional Peabody Award for excellence and outstanding achievement. In 2011, ACL moved to the new venue ACL Live at The Moody Theater in downtown Austin.