Meet Michael, your new soul mate

FOR a troubadour finding his voice in the unforgiving arena of festivals, Michael Kiwanuka has come a long way to brave the hordes at Splendour in the Grass.

Michael Kiwanuka Hit

FOR a troubadour finding his voice in the unforgiving arena of festivals, Michael Kiwanuka has come a long way to brave the hordes at Splendour in the Grass.

His warm blend of soul and folk, nestled somewhere between Bill Withers and Joni Mitchell, is the type of laidback soundtrack that can drift over the heads of boozy crowds.

The singer-songwriter played his first main-stage festival earlier this month in England and later acknowledged the difficulty in filling an outdoor space.

Now making his Australian debut at shows in Sydney and Melbourne before travelling to Splendour in the Grass this weekend, he is accompanied by three band members, two fewer than his usual set-up.

It's just as well the softly spoken Londoner carries the kind of classic-sounding songs likely to become highlights of the Byron Bay festival - not that Kiwanuka realises the subtle power of his own music.

"It's tough to play a certain type of music outside but you can't try and be anyone but yourself," Kiwanuka says.

"You just have to cater the set a bit differently and try and fill up as much space as you can, but there's only so far you can go with that.

"I just go and play and do the best I can and if people want to listen they do."

People in Britain have been listening intently since the virtual unknown was handpicked to support Adele on tour last year.

After making the leap from tiny gigs to theatres, Kiwanuka won the BBC Sound of 2012 poll, an accolade he plays down, while also acknowledging its importance.

"People read that list a lot so it allowed my music to be heard and allowed me to travel a bit more and get around the country playing my guitar and singing my songs," he says.

Signed to independent folk label Communion, Kiwanuka released his debut album Home Again to critical acclaim in March.

Tours have taken him to Europe and the States and now the 24-year-old Brit is excited at making Australia a regular part of his performing schedule.

"Australia is a cool music place and I like being anywhere that music is loved."

-- HEAR Home Again is out now.

-- SEE Michael Kiwanuka, Splendour in the Grass (sold out) at Byron Bay tomorrow.