Celia Pavey, known professionally as Vera Blue, is an Australian singer-songwriter known for her novel fusion of folk and synth pop music. She first rose to popularity as a contestant on season 2 of The Voice Australia. Her folk-inspired album This Music, was released under her birth-name and peaked at number 14 on the Australian ARIA Charts in July 2013. After assuming the name Vera Blue, her debut album Perennial achieved Gold certification in Australia in 2017. Two more studio albums have followed, along with collaborations with prominent Australian and USA-based artists and producers such as Flume, Illenium, Louis the Child and the hip hop artist, Illy. Pavey sings, dances and plays the guitar, violin and EWI.
Career 2013–2014: Celia Pavey, The Voice and This Music
During the 2013 season of The Voice Australia, Pavey auditioned while playing the guitar and received acclaim from the judges and audience. Her first audition clip of Simon & Garfunkel's "Scarborough Fair / Canticle" has amassed over 14 million views online. She joined Team Delta and placed third in the competition.
Round Song Original artist Order Result The Blind Auditions "Scarborough Fair" Simon & Garfunkel 4 All judges offered to coachPavey chose to join Team Delta Battle Rounds "A Thousand Years" (vs. Anna Weatherup) Christina Perri 1 Saved by Delta The Showdowns "Woodstock" Joni Mitchell 1 Saved by public Live Finals 1 "Jolene" Dolly Parton 10 Live Finals 2 "Edelweiss" The Sound Of Music 7 Live Finals 3 "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" Carole King 8 Semi-finals "Xanadu" Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra 1 Advanced "Candle in the Night" Celia Pavey 10 Grand Final "You're the Voice" (with Celia Pavey, Danny Ross and Luke Kennedy) John Farnham 1 3rd place "Go Your Own Way" (with Delta Goodrem) Fleetwood Mac 5
Following The Voice, Pavey released her debut studio album This Music in July 2013, which peaked at number 14 in Australia. Her debut EP Bodies followed on 29 August 2014, produced by Eric J. Dubowsky. Pavey toured the east coast of Australia in support of the EP.
2015–2017: Vera Blue, Fingertips and Perennial
In August 2015, Pavey announced that she would be releasing music under the name Vera Blue. Her first EP under her new alias, Fingertips, was released on 13 May 2016. It features five tracks, including the two singles "Hold" and "Settle". In 2016, she was featured on the Australian hip hop artist Illy's song "Papercuts", which peaked at number two on the ARIA singles chart. Her single "Hold" peaked at number 5 on the US Spotify viral top 50 chart and number 1 on the Australian Viral 50 chart. In February 2017, Vera Blue released "Private". In June 2017, Vera Blue announced the release of her second studio album, Perennial. The album was released in July and peaked at number 6 on the ARIA Charts. Her song "Regular Touch" placed at number 15 on triple j's 2017 Hottest 100.
2018–2021: "All the Pretty Girls" and "Like I Remember You" On 26 October 2018, Vera Blue released the single "All The Pretty Girls" after premiering the song a day earlier on the Australian radio station Triple J. She also released the live album Lady Powers Live at the Forum. In February 2019, Vera Blue released "Like I Remember You" in partnership with Greenpeace. Describing her involvement, Celia stated "I'm lending my voice to the campaign to stop oil drilling in the Great Australian Bight – for the love of our oceans... I feel a deep connection to our oceans and I know that the seafloor is no place for risky oil drilling".
2022–present: Mercurial and Modern Rituals
Vera Blue's second album (and Pavey's third overall), Mercurial, was released on 28 October 2022. It was preceded by the single "The Curse".
In May 2025, Vera Blue released "In the Corner", her first single in three years.
In September 2025, Vera Blue performed the national anthem at the AFL Grand Final
In July 2026, Vera Blue performed a sold-out concert with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and conductor Leonard Weiss.
Vera Blue's third studio album Modern Rituals was released on 21 August 2026, preceded by the singles "Parallel Desire", "In the Corner", "Go Lucky" and "Rituals". When interviewed about the album, she listed Madonna, Enya and Bjork as sources of inspiration.
Touring
Vera Blue supported Conrad Sewell on his Australian tour September 2015. In April and May 2016 Vera Blue supported Matt Corby on his Telluric tour. In July 2016 Vera Blue supported Broods on their Australian tour.
Vera Blue's own Australian headline Fingertips tour concluded in May 2016, with all 8 dates around the country sold out. Vera Blue's second headline tour ran August through October 2016, reaching metropolitan and regional cities.
Vera Blue supported Flume at the 2016 Splendour in the Grass Festival, performing his number one hit Never Be Like You.
The 'Private' Tour was announced on 16 February 2017 and toured Australia in support of her released single, "Private". After the rising popularity of March 2018 single "Lady Powers", Vera Blue set off on her biggest Australian tour, titled 'Lady Powers' in March and June 2018.
Vera Blue performed as the headliner at the RMIT Graduation ceremony in 2023 hosted at Marvel Stadium.
She also appeared at the Big Chill Festival in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia, in May 2025.
Discography
This Music (2013) Perennial (2017) Mercurial (2022) Modern Rituals (2026)
Awards and nominations AIR Awards The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.
| 2020 | "Rushing Back" | Best Independent Dance, Electronica or Club Single
APRA Awards The APRA Awards are several award ceremonies run in Australia by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) to recognise composing and song writing skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually.
! |- | 2018 | "Mended" (Andrew Macken, Thomas Macken, Samuel Telford, Celia Pavey, Adam Anders) | Song of the Year
| 2020 | "Rushing Back" (Harley Streten, Celia Pavey, Sophie Cates, Eric Dubowsky) (with Flume) | Song of the Year
| rowspan="2"| 2021 | rowspan="2"| "Rushing Back" (Harley Streten, Celia Pavey, Eric Dubowsky, Sophie Cates) (with Flume) | Most Performed Australian Work | | rowspan="2"| |- | Most Performed Dance Work
ARIA Music Awards The ARIA Music Awards are annual awards, which recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music.
| rowspan="2"| 2020 | rowspan="2"| "Rushing Back" (with Flume) | ARIA Award for Best Dance Release
| Song of the Year
Electronic Dance Music Awards The Electronic Dance Music Awards (also known as the EDMAs) is an annual music award show focusing on electronic dance music. +YearAwardNominee / workCategoryResultRef.2024Electronic Dance Music AwardsHerselfVocalist Of The Year
J Award The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.
| 2017 | Perennial | Australian Album of the Year
MTV Europe Music Awards The MTV Europe Music Awards is an award presented by Viacom International Media Networks to honour artists and music in pop culture.
| 2017 | herself | Best Australian Act
National Live Music Awards The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) commenced in 2016 to recognise contributions to the live music industry in Australia.
! |- | rowspan="3" | 2017 | rowspan="3" | Vera Blue | Live Voice of the Year | | rowspan="3" | |- | Best New Act of the Year
| Best Live Voice of the Year – People's Choice
| rowspan="3" | 2023 | Nathan Dagostino, Nicholas Beachen and Rachael Johnston (Vera Blue) | Best Stage & Light Design | | rowspan="3"| |- | rowspan="2" | Vera Blue | Best Pop Act
| Live Voice in NSW
References
External links