ROSE Redd's youth hostel concerts in York and Helmsley this month will be open to the public.

The flame-haired singer will play the York Youth Hostel, in Water End, on August 22 and Helmsley Youth Hostel, in Carlton Lane, on August 23 as part of a ten-date Youth Hostels Association tour ahead of the August 28 release of her new EP, The Healing. Both free shows will start at 8pm.

Rose Redd is described as a "beautiful contradiction". Only 20 years in age but unfathomably older in soul, she makes music with its roots in darker days, experiences and stories and finds its bloom in both release and connection. Her poignant verses and explosive choruses let you know that she writes songs because she has to.

Born in the sleepy southern seaside town of Eastbourne, Rose moved with her family to the West Midlands at six months old. She was raised on a varied musical diet of everything from Ella Fitzgerald to Iron Maiden to Kate Bush, greedily consuming it all.

At the tender age of 12, she first found a kindred spirit in Depeche Mode's Martin Gore, whose lyrics spoke to her as a troubled girl and gave her the inspiration to pick up a guitar for the first time and explore songwriting as a means of expression.

Rose has come a long way since portraying a singing sunflower in a kindergarten play, and after the past five years of performing across the country, from pub gigs to headlining Birmingham music venues, Rose's hard work and potential is being realised by both fans and industry professionals. Now backed by an equally passionate band, she is ready to take on the world in her powerful concert performances.

As can be heard on the title track on The Healing, her soulful voice is a cross between Essex blues belter Alison Moyet and Evanescence lead singer Amy Lee, ideal for such an emotional song. "The Healing is a realisation of how self- destructive I can be and how, in the past, I've projected my self hate and weaknesses on to others, fooling myself into thinking it's not my fault that my goals haven't been achieved yet," says Rose, who also has made a promotional video for the song.

Rose joins a number of young, unsigned musicians, such as George Ezra, who have used youth hostels to showcase their music to new audiences. Last year, British singer-songwriter Ezra was part of a week-long YHA Road Trip tour that put unsigned bands and singers on the road in a customised VW camper van. He has since had a Top Five hit with this summer's single Budapest.

The YHA’s association with Rose Redd and other young musicians is an exciting development in the youth hostelling charity’s 80-year history. "The YHA is all about creating unique opportunities for young people and music is a great way to raise awareness of its network of properties throughout England and Wales," says a spokesman.

To make a booking at any of the YHAs where Rose Redd is touring, visit yha.org.uk or call 0800 0191 700.