Kesha announces first tour since start of legal battle

'I thrive from making and performing music, and much like a flower with no sun, my soul slowly dies when I don't get to create and perform'

Kesha has made her official return to music, after withdrawing from the scene while engaged in a highly publicised legal battle.

The singer took to Instagram to announce Kesha and the Creepies: The F*ck the World Tour, which will kick off in Las Vegas on 23 July; in a video of her, alongside her horse, asking her fans to "come hang with us this summer".

"This project and upcoming tour comes from my deep eternal love of dirty rock & roll and country music," she wrote on a second post revealing the tour's artwork. "I thrive from making and performing music, and much like a flower with no sun, my soul slowly dies when I don't get to create and perform. So, for a short ride and in mostly small intimate venues, I will be performing a new creepy creation."

"Until I can release my own music I will be reinventing some of my old songs and some of my favorite songs from my musical idols. I've hand picked songs from artists that have helped shape who I am and the music I make today."

The singer has been locked in a legal battle with Dr. Luke, whose real name is Lukasz Gottwald, and his record company Kemosabe records, which are part owned by Sony. In February, a court ruling denied Kesha an injunction in her contract with Gottwald and Kemosabe records. Legal proceedings date back to 2014 where it was alleged the singer is in breach of contract having not recorded music with the label since 2013. She has also filed a lawsuit accusing Gottwald of sexual assault and emotional abuse.

Gottwald has vehemently denied all the allegations and previously said they are part of a “vicious smear campaign to ruin his reputation for financial gain” and so the singer can get out of her five-album contract. In April, a New York judge dismissed several of Kesha’s counter-claims against Gottwald.

The singer previously took to the Billboard awards stage for a beautiful rendition of Bob Dylan's classic "It Ain't Me, Babe", earning her a standing ovation from the crowd in the process.