ACCLAIMED songwriter behind tracks such as ‘Stay With Me Till Dawn’ and album ‘Sportscar’, Judie Tzuke is heading back to Basingstoke’s Haymarket Theatre this weekend for a “unique” night of music.

Catching up with The Gazette before her show, Judie spoke of talks about her struggles with stage-fright and about what her new shows will include.

It’s not uncommon, stage-fright. One look across the generations and stories of Roy Orbison tackling his crippling fear of performing live by wearing sunglasses, and Andre 3000, one half of hip-hop outfit Outkast, receiving tips on how to battle it from Prince all emerge.

Yet for 60-year-old Judie, her struggles with nerves came to a head after “everything you ever dread as a singer went wrong.”

2014. London.

The moment that changed her life – something happened that even hypnotherapy hadn't managed couldn’t do.

“My throat just went when I was on stage and I couldn’t sing,” Judie said.

“It was like your worst nightmare; the most terrifying experience you could imagine.

"It was in front of a full house, I had a full band ready to play and I couldn’t do anything.

"But I started to hear the audience singing the songs back to me and I couldn’t believe it.

“I woke up the next morning and the nerves were gone because I realised the audience are with me – not against me.

"It was the most emotional gig I have ever done.”

Fast-forward to 2016, and Judie’s transformation is astounding. Gone are the full band for her new tour – just Judie, a guitar and her two daughters on backing her vocals.

The new tour set of shows also sees the singer talk to her audience; something she believes makes for a unique atmosphere at every show.

“I’m finally getting to know my audience,” Judie continued.

“Some nights both the audience and me are shy, but once I get to telling stories of my career, and at there are hundreds considering how long I’ve been around, people then join in.

“Having my daughters, who are both yoga teachers, [with me] has definitely definately made me a lot calmer on the tour.

“These last three years have been really life-affirming for me; going on stage like this, cancer three years ago – I wouldn’t be like this now if I hadn’t gone through this.

“But they have had a positive impact and now I’m ready to sing and talk to my audience.

"I can’t wait to get to know them in Basingstoke.”

Judie Tzuke will be performing at the Haymarket Theatre, Basingstoke on Saturday May 28.

The show will begin at 7.30pm and tickets are £22.

For more information visit anvilarts.org.uk/whats-on/judie-tzuke.