Ainslie Allen Announces New Dates For The Betty Tour + Shares Single 'Hoki Mai ki a Au'

Aotearoa songwriter Ainslie Allen (Rongowhakaata) has blazed her own trail since becoming a household name in the late '90s as a participant on McDonald's Young Entertainers at the age of 16. Recipient of the 2018 award for NZ Country Music Entertainer of the Year, Allen's debut album Betty rocketed into the upper echelons of the Official Top 40 NZ Album Charts when it launched in late November. Having to put the record release tour on pause due to Omicron's dreaded emergence earlier this year, Allen today unveils a heaping helping of brand new dates for The Betty Tour — venturing to venues across the nation with band in September and October.

Allen's tour announcement is accompanied by new single ‘Hoki Mai ki a Au’, a te reo rendition of Betty album track ‘Old You'. Recorded at Lyttelton's The Sitting Room and produced / mixed by Ben Edwards, ‘Hoki Mai ki a Au’ is an emotionally powerful waiata about losing loved ones to addiction...

“This is my te reo version of ‘Old You’ from my album Betty... I wanted to dedicate a song to those who have experienced or are experiencing the fight with addiction and battling their demons, and those who are supporting them. I hope my waiata reflects my determination and perseverance, and encouragement to those who are going through similar life situations.

We added Taonga Pūoro by Jake Kīanō Skinner (Ngāti Rangitihi) to the track... I also share many memorable moments with my ‘in studio’ Te Reo Adviser, e kare, Kommi Tamati-Elliffe". — Ainslie Allen

Ainslie Allen - BETTY Tour 2022

Friday 2nd September - Carterton Events Tour, Carterton
Thursday 8th September - Cabana, Napier
Friday 9th September - Smash Palace, Gisborne
Thursday 15th September - Biddys Bar, Hamilton
Friday 16th September - Our Local, Wiri, South Auckland
Saturday 17th September - Cassette Nine, Auckland
Friday 23rd September - St Peters Hall, Paekākāriki
Saturday 24th September - Levin Cossie Club, Levin
Sunday 25th September - Upper Hutt Cossie Club, Upper Hutt
Thursday 6th October - Southland Muso’s Club, Invercargill
Friday 7th October - Sherwood, Queenstown
Saturday 8th October - Wunderbar, Lyttleton
Saturday 29th October - Porirua Club, Porirua

Tickets available HERE via UTR

'Hoki Mai ki a Au' is out today on major streaming services.

Press release:

yeah .. so .. do you remember that tv show?.. way back.. late 90's.. McDonalds Young Entertainers.. .. remember the tall blonde-haired girl on that show.. she released an album called 'Betty' a badass, finger-licking good, country album Nov 19th 2021.. covid stuffed up her plans of taking the world by storm with her debut, so now she's finally able to get on the road for a nationwide tour.

Ainslie says 'I was sick of playing covers, for years I worked for others, singing their songs, now it's my turn, I'm making my dream a reality and I'm gonna play my songs!'

Unbelievably talented, the resilient singer released an album and had a baby in the same year, Ainslie said 'what kind of crazy woman would do that to herself .. yeah.. me.. I'm that crazy woman'.. it makes for good inspiration.. and the lack of sleep helps not to suffer fools.. so, I suppose I win'..

Ainslie's career has seen her sing from ballrooms to warzones. She makes it look easy with her crowd, and can read them like a book, her quick wit and huge vocal range with blow your mind. Ainslie's known for talking to her audience sometimes asking if they have a song request.. she says 'Sometimes asking for requests can bite you in the butt.. but because I know so many songs, and I like all musical genres.. I'm pretty good at that game'.

After two postponed attempts at hitting the road (thanks covid), Ainslie says 'I've been waiting so long to play 'Betty' to a live audience on the release tour with my band.. I have merch to sell.. t-shirt's, CD's, face masks, even pink vinyl for this release.. I need to get rid of them.. the boxes are taking up too much space at home'..

The Betty Tour will take you on a journey, Ainslie's most personal to date. 'Betty is named after my Nan, and I know she's with me on this one'.