Tangerine Dream Tickets Competition - Shepherds Bush Empire

Competition - Win a pair of Tangerine Dream Tickets - Shepherds Bush Empire

Fore-fathers of the German synth rock sound and one of the most influential bands in the genre, the seven-times Grammy nominated pioneers of electronic music take their audience on a psychedelic journey through sight and sound. A legendary instrumental prog rock band characterised by the use of high-end modern technology next to a strong rock'n'roll identity and the pioneers of Krautrock, Tangerine Dream are hard to pigeonhole into any music category. Many have unsuccessfully tried to emulate their trademark sound, but no one could quite nail the secret ingredient of their unique recipe; the way musical layers are structured and finely glued together results in an indescribable musical experience which has always kept them one step ahead of any fashionable trend. 

And we are giving you the chance to win a pair of tickets for their Shepherds Bush Empire gig on Sunday 24th June

All you have to is answer the following question.

Can you name one of the PAST members of Tangerine Dream?

Email your answer to us at musicmafiauk@gmail.com

Winners will be chosen at random. Competition closes on 15/6/12

Article posted by Musicmafia

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Tangerine Dream announce one-off UK show

O₂ Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Sunday 24^th June

 The New York Times call them ‘The Worlds’ Leading Synth Band’ and now seven times Grammy nominated Tangerine Dream return British shores for a unique one-off UK show as part of their Electric Mandarine Tour 2012 at the O₂ Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London on Sunday 24^th June.

Edgar Froese says about the London Show: “Playing London is like being back home. Our fans make it possible for us to realise every musician’s dream: making a living out of what you love and do best, playing and composing music.  As a thank you we would like to share Tangerine Dream’s 45^th anniversary (1967 – 2012) with our loyal British fan base.  It will be a great show with lots of songs and sounds that our fans grew up with.“

Month Year City                          Venue                                                      Box Office

Sun 24^th June London  02 Shepherds Bush Empire                     0844 477 2000

Tickets are £45.00 (subject to booking fee) online bookings from www.gigsandtours.com - credit card bookings from 0844 811 0051.

A legendary instrumental prog rock band characterised by the use of high-end modern technology next to a strong rock‘n’roll identity and the pioneers of Krautrock, Tangerine Dream are hard to pigeonhole into any music category.   Many have unsuccessfully tried to emulate their trademark sound, but no one could quite nail the secret ingredient of their unique recipe; the way musical layers are structured and finely glued together results in an indescribable musical experience which has always kept them one step ahead of any fashionable trend.

Tangerine Dream have released over 150 albums to date, they have also written scores for several Award winning Hollywood Movies including the Tom Cruise classic, ‘Risky Business’; Katherine Bigelow’s ‘Near Dark’ and ‘Firestarter’ which debuts Drew Barrymore.

 Edgar Froese founded Tangerine Dream in autumn 1967 – a prolific period for music worldwide – with a vision to discover new sounds and musical techniques. After more than 40 years and several line-up changes, Edgar is still provocative and challenging in his unique philosophical music universe. A man of few words but with a wry sense of humour, he has shown that music can often reach where words don’t.

At a time when electronic instruments were widely misunderstood and an independent music industry was virtually non-existent, Tangerine Dream were the pioneers of a range of new sounds, effects and production techniques. Phaedra, their biggest album, was released in 1974 and went gold in 14 countries, it featured the MOOG modular system as the main sequencing module and is still considered a cornerstone for modern contemporary electronic sounds and sequences.    Tangerine Dream have earned themselves the title ‘The Pioneers of Modern Sound.’

Tangerine Dreams’ reputation, experience and professionalism, together with their record sales, has gained them the freedom to continue challenging traditional platforms and their live shows are unmissable.

Article posted by Musicmafia

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Less Than Jake to Support NOFX

Less Than Jake to Support NOFX at

O₂ Academy Newcastle and O₂ Shepherd’s Bush Empire*

Tuesday 1^st May; Punk rock icons, NOFX are pleased to announce that ska punk heroes, Less Than Jake, will be joining them for two of their UK live shows this June.

Supporting them on their dates at O₂ Academy Newcastle (Jun 13) and their second London show, and final night of the tour, at O₂ Shepherd’s Bush Empire (Jun 17), fans can expect a double-dose of pure punk madness when these two phenomenal live acts join forces.

Vinnie from Less Than Jake commented, "We are stoked to be playing with the most popular spoken word comedy act in the world! No, really NOFX are one of those bands that we love as people and love as a band. We finally get to play a few club shows with them. Pretty great start to the summer right? YES."

Formed in L.A. back in 1983, NOFX has released some 10 studio full lengths, 6 EPs, and a metric ton of 7”s, selling over 6 million records worldwide. Their onstage banter and wild antics are the stuff of legend – a punk rock band with DIY ethics.

It’s been a wild and crazy ride for Gainesville’s Less Than Jake who in 2012, hit the 20 year mark and celebrate the band’s anniversary with these support slots and their own headline tour later in June.  

Other acts appearing on the bill are; Margate (all dates), UK Subs (Bournemouth), Snuff (Newcastle, Leeds, O₂ Shepherd’s Bush Empire – 17 June), Abrasive Wheels (Leeds) and Varukers (O₂ Shepherd’s Bush Empire – 16 June)

* Less Than Jake support NOFX on Sunday 17 June show only

Full NOFX tour dates are as follows:

Tuesday June 5 – Bournemouth O₂ Academy+

Thursday June 7 – Bristol O₂ Academy+

Tuesday June 12 – Manchester HMV Ritz

Wednesday June 13 – Newcastle O₂ Academy+

Thursday June 14 – Leeds O₂ Academy+

Saturday June 16 – London O₂ Shepherds Bush Empire+

Sunday June 17 – London O₂ Shepherds Bush Empire+

+Academy Events presents

Regional dates: £18.50 adv / London £20.00 adv Doors 6pm – 11pm

Tickets available from www.ticketweb.co.uk or 0844 477 2000

Less Than Jake also play the following headline shows this summer with support from The Skints and The Bots:

Monday June 18 – Wrexham Central Station

Tuesday June 19 – Leamington Spa Assembly

Wednesday June 20 – Bournemouth The Old Fire Station+

Thursday June 21 – Brighton Concorde 2

+YDNA & Academy Events presents

Tickets £16.50 adv available from www.ticketweb.co.uk or 0844 477 2000

Article posted by Musicmafia

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The Straits to play Charity Fundraising Show at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

Thursday 21^st June 2012 – 7pm

Tickets £25.00 - £250.00 adv + STBF

Available from ticketweb.co.uk and 0844 477 2000

Monday 30^th April 2012; Fresh from their successful European tour, which included sold out shows in Lisbon and Paris, The Straits are pleased to announce a Charity fundraising show at legendary West London venue, O₂ Shepherd’s Bush Empire. This one-off event on Thursday 21^st June will raise awareness for the Sarah Greene Breakthrough Tribute Fund – part of the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Appeal – with all profits donated to the charity.

The Sarah Greene Breakthrough Tribute Fund was established in 2008, in memory of Sarah who sadly lost her courageous battle with breast cancer in 2006. The fund is raising monies towards further research into the aggressive ‘Triple Negative’ breast cancer suffered by Sarah, which desperately requires newer forms of treatment, and endeavours to find a suitable drug to fight this particular type of cancer.

The Straits are comprised of former Dire Straits members and give fans the chance to experience the band’s music live, performing classic hits; including Sultans of Swing, Romeo And Juliet, Tunnel Of Love, Private Investigations, Money For Nothing, Walk Of Life, and Brothers In Arms.

“Sadly it seems that very few families remain untouched by cancer in some form or other these days, my own included. We are very grateful to have been given the opportunity to play this concert and support the work of the Sarah Greene charity to combat Triple Negative breast cancer. Sarah was a good personal friend and a great mum. I hope we can have a fantastic evening in honour of her memory. That is what she would want." Chris White, The Straits

This very special evening not only gives all who attend the chance to witness a fantastic live band, but at the same time, the opportunity to make a real difference to someone’s life. It promises to be a wonderful event for a really great cause.

For more information on The Sarah Greene Breakthrough Tribute Fund:

www.sarahgreene.org

The Straits are: Alan Clark (keyboards) and Chris White (sax, vocals), plus world-class musicians Steve Ferrone (Tom Petty’s drummer), Terence Reis (lead vocals, guitar), Mike Feat (bass), Adam Phillips (guitar) and Jamie Squire (keyboards, vocals).

www.thestraits.com

Article posted by Musicmafia

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The London International Ska Festival 2012

 Bank Holiday Weekend Thursday 3^rd – Sunday 6^th May

O₂ Academy Islington and O₂ Shepherd’s Empire

In this, the 50th anniversary of Jamaican Independence, The London International Ska Festival returns to the capital from Thursday 3^rd– 6^th May 2012 and promises 40 acts from around the world. From its birth in Jamaica, Ska has come a long way - morphing and inspiring every generation and reaching all corners of the world. In association with Academy Events, the festival line up will showcase all Ska has to offer from its roots in rhythm and blues, mento and calypso, to the Jamaican originators, the progression through rocksteady and reggae, 2 Tone, ska-punk and right up-to-date with 21st century Ska sounds.  

The four days will see some musical legends take to the stage as well as new talent on the Ska scene. Dandy Livingstone will play his world exclusive comeback show and first in 40 years on Friday 4^th May at O₂ Academy Islington. Dandy released some all-time classic reggae songs including the original 'Rudy A Message To You', as well as being Britain's leading reggae producer and instrumental in establishing Trojan Records. Other headliners across the weekend include The Pioneers starring Jackie Robinson and George Dekker ('Let Your Yeah Be Yeah' and 'Long Shot Kick De Bucket'), Dawn Penn ('No, No, No'), the voice of Dave and Ansell Collins - Dave Barker and Rico Rodriguez MBE.

From the 2 Tone era comes the founder, guitarist and songwriter of The Selecter - Neol Davies, the original Hotknives celebrating their 30^th anniversary, California’s Fishbone and multi-award winning Ska Cubano. Contemporary acts The Dualers and Phoenix City All-Stars, will both launch albums at this year’s festival and fresh from supporting The Rifles, London’s very own Buster Shuffle bring piano bashing cockney ska and authentic rock ’n’ roll sound.

The festival also presents a stellar line up of DJs across the four days including Jerry Dammers (The Specials/2Tone Records founder), Grammy winning Don Letts, the king of rocking blues, Gaz Mayall, Andy Smith, Dreadzone Sound System and many more.

Originally launched in 1988, The London International Ska Festival returned to critical acclaim last year, and is delighted to once again be celebrating the wonderful world of Ska in all its irrepressible guises in 2012.

LINE UP

THURSDAY 3^RD MAY – O₂ ACADEMY ISLINGTON

THE PIONEERS (STARRING JACKIE ROBINSON & GEORGE DEKKER) + DAWN PENN + THE MOON INVADERS + KINKY COO COO’S + THE DELEGATORS + DJ ANDY SMITH

FRIDAY 4^TH MAY – O₂ ACADEMY ISLINGTON

DANDY LIVINGSTONE + Dave Barker + Rico Rodriguez + Phoenix City All-stars  + Los Granadians + DJ Gladdy Wax 

SATURDAY 5^TH MAY – O₂ SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE

THE DUALERS & SKA CUBANO + Hotknives (origINAL line up) + Buster Shuffle + Capone & The Bullets + DJs Cello (Coast To Coast) & Count Skylarkin

SUNDAY 6^TH MAY – O₂ ACADEMY ISLINGTON

FISHBONE & NEOL DAVIES aka THE SELECTER + The Skints + Chris Murray + Rebelation + DJ Don Letts

For more information/tickets go to www.londoninternationalskafestival.co.uk

Festival Pass available - £122 adv for all shows

O₂ Academy Islington – o2academyislington.co.uk

O₂ Shepherd’s Bush Empire – o2shepherdsbushempire.co.uk

FESTIVAL OVERVIEW

Day 1 - Thursday 3rd May - 6pm-11pm - O₂ Academy Islington. Tickets £32.50 adv

THE PIONEERS starring Jackie Robinson & George Dekker

plus Dawn Penn  |  The Moon Invaders  |  Kinky Coo Coo's  |  The Delegators  |  DJ Andy Smith

In 1969 the British Pop charts were pummelled by series of Reggae singles. Among those leading this onslaught was one of Jamaica’s finest acts - The Pioneers. Their breakthrough came with ‘Long Shot Kick De Bucket’, which peaked at No.21 on the UK charts (later, in 1980, taken to the No.1 spot by The Specials on their ‘Too Much Too Young’ EP). Further UK chart hits followed including ‘Let Your Yeah Be Yeah’ which reached No.5. Now approaching 50 years since their formation, their hits, including classics such as ‘Jackpot’ (covered by The Beat), ‘Starvation’, Time Hard’ (covered by The Selecter) and ‘Reggae Fever’, still receive global airplay and keep them in-demand the world over.

Dawn Penn was still at school when she recorded her first tracks for Coxsone Dodd’s Studio One in 1967. Amongst those early recordings was ‘No, No, No, (You Don’t Love Me)' backed by Tommy McCook and The Skatalites, which although an island smash, it wasn’t until Steely and Clevie’s 1991 version that the song became a global hit and won Dawn a Grammy nomination.

Support comes from The Moon Invaders, a devastatingly good authentic Ska act from Belgium, Catalonia's Kinky Coo Coo's, UK's rocksteady stars The Delegators and DJ Andy Smith, who is best known for his work with Portishead and The Trojan Document (a best selling compilation for Trojan Records).

Day 2 - Friday 4^th May – 6pm-10pm - O₂ Academy Islington. Tickets £32.50 adv

DANDY LIVINGSTONE

plus Dave Barker  |  Rico Rodriguez  |  Phoenix City All-stars  |  Los Granadians  |  DJ Gladdy Wax 

**After show party - DJ All-nighter at Islington Metalworks, 7 Torrens St, London, EC1V 1NQ.  10pm-6am. Ft. Jerry Dammers (The Specials)  |  Tighten Up v Downbeat Melody  |  Chris Lane  |  Tim Wells | DJ Amma Dreadzone Sound System | 3DJ (Funkdub)

Dandy Livingstone is best known for releasing some all-time classic reggae songs including the original 'Rudy A Message To You' (later to become a phenomenal hit for The Specials), 'Reggae In Your Jeggae', 'People Get Ready' and UK chart hits 'Suzanne Beware of The Devil' and 'Big City'. However, he was also Britain's leading reggae producer and was instrumental in establishing Trojan Records, producing countless acts; Rico Rodriguez, Nicky Thomas and Tony Tribe (including his classic version of 'Red Red Wine'). We are honoured that he has decided to play his world exclusive comeback show (first in 40 years) at The London International Ska Festival 2012.

Dave Barker launched his solo career with Lee Perry producing the best-selling singles 'Shocks Of Mighty', 'Just My Imagination' and debut LP, 'Prisoner Of Love'. In 1971, as the vocal half of Dave and Ansell Collins, he found global success with 'Double Barrel', the second ever reggae No. 1 on the UK charts and first reggae ever Top 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Legendary trombonist Rico Rodriguez started his career in the late 1950's in Jamaica where he worked with all the great producers and artists.  In 1961 he moved to England where he toured with Georgie Fame and worked closely with Dandy Livingstone, playing on both Dandy's original 'Rudy A Message to You' and The Specials remake a decade later.  Honorary membership in The Specials and two solo albums followed for 2 Tone Records. In 2007 he was awarded the MBE and regularly performs with Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra.

Support comes from Phoenix City All-Stars who launch their '2 Tone: Ska & Rocksteady Special' album... a truly unique repatriation of 2 Tone's greatest hits to the 'Sounds of Young Jamaica', plus Spain's biggest reggae act Los Granadians and DJ Gladdy Wax.

Day 3 - Saturday 5 May - 6pm-11pm - O₂ Shepherd’s Bush Empire. Tickets £25 adv

THE DUALERS  &  SKA CUBANO

plus Hotknives (original line up)  |  Buster Shuffle  |  Capone & The Bullets vDJs Cello (Coast To Coast) and Count Skylarkin

One of the UK’s most loved Ska bands, The Dualers have taken their Ska sound to the masses. From busking the streets of London to selling out the Indigo₂ four times! On record they’ve been equally successful entering the UK charts three times and selling over 35,000 albums. They will be using the festival to launch their 'Prince Buster Tribute' album which as the title states sees them paying tribute to the King of Ska.

International stars Ska Cubano cook up an exquisite mix of multi-award winning mambo, calypso, cumbia and reggae into one almighty Ska explosion.  From their bases in Jamaica, Cuba, Japan and England, they've now taken their “Skatalites meet Buena Vista Social Club” hybrid to over 30 countries, triumphing at Glastonbury, Bestival, Womad, Big Day Out and the Noble Peace Prize awards ceremony along the way.  

Support comes from last years festival highlight, the Hotknives who due to huge popular demand are returning to celebrate their 30th anniversary, Buster Shuffle, Capone & The Bullets, DJ Cello (Coast To Coast) and Count Skylarkin (Skylarkin Sound System/Big 10”).

Day 4 - Sunday 6 May - 5pm-10pm - O₂ Academy Islington. Tickets £20 adv

FISHBONE  and  NEOL DAVIES aka THE SELECTER

plus The Skints  |  Chris Murray | Rebelation  |  DJ Don Letts

** Festival Closing Party at Islington Metalworks, 7 Torrens St, London, EC1V 1NQ.  10pm-late - LAUREL AITKEN'S ORIGINAL PRESSURE TENANTS

DJs: Gaz Mayall (Gaz's Rockin Blues), Mark Barrett (Pressure Drop), Dave Walker (Thursday Night Fish Fry), Andy Attic (Club Ska) and more

Californian misfits Fishbone are one of the most original bands of the last 25 years. With a blistering combination of funk-frenzied Ska, punk, soul and more they demolished the walls of genre and challenged the racial stereotypes and political order of the American music industry and nation. Their sound has often been imitated, but never duplicated. They celebrate their 25th year with the 'Everyday Sunshine' documentary and new EP ‘Crazy Glue’.

As the founder, songwriter and guitarist of The Selecter - Neol Davies penned a string of classic hits that resonate as much today as they ever did.  'Too Much Pressure', 'On My Radio', 'Three Minute Hero', 'Missing Words', 'Celebrate The Bullet' and the instrumental that sparked it all, the sublime AA-side to The Specials 'Gangsters', 'The Selecter'. 30 years on Neol returns with classic hits and new songs bringing the 2 Tone style and passion into the 21st century.

Support comes from the much touted new kids The Skints, Canadian ska troubadour Chris Murray and Do The Dog Music's Rebelation. The DJ and host for the evening is Grammy winning filmmaker/musician/DJ that single handedly turned a whole generation of punks onto reggae - Don Letts.

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NOFX announce UK shows for June 2012

*Academy Events presents….

June 5 – Bournemouth O2 Academy*

June 7 – Bristol O2 Academy*

June 12 – Manchester HMV Ritz

June 13 – Newcastle O2 Academy*

June 14 – Leeds O2 Academy*

June 16 – London O2 Shepherds Bush Empire*

Regional dates: £18.50 adv / London £20.00 adv

www.ticketweb.co.uk or 0844 477 2000

Doors 6pm – 11pm

Punk rock icons, NOFX have announced a string of UK shows for June 2012.  

 With a career spanning almost 30 years, the NOFX onslaught continues as they announce a six-date tour of the UK, their first since 2008, culminating in a headline show at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London on June 16.

Formed in L.A. back in 1983, NOFX has released some 10 studio full lengths, 6 EPs, and a metric ton of 7”s, selling over 6 million records worldwide.

Their onstage banter and wild antics are the stuff of legend – a punk rock band, with DIY ethics true to their hearts.

Tickets go on sale Friday 17^th February 2012 at 9am. .

NOFX:

Fat Mike - vocals & bass

Eric Melvin - guitar

El Hefe - guitar

Eric Sandin - drums

For further information, contact:

www.nofxofficialwebsite.com

www.fatwreck.com

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Lightning Seeds announce UK Dates for 2012

 

*Academy Events presents

Wednesday 14th September 2011:Following a summer of festival sets across the UK, the Lightning Seeds announce a UK tour for February 2012, featuring a hometown show at O2 Academy Liverpool, and a Londondate at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

 

Formed by Ian Broudie in 1989, the band has been entertaining audiences for over 20 years, and it’s easy to see why when witnessing their unmissable live performance.

 

Following his involvement with numerous bands in post-punk Liverpool, Broudie conceived the band and penned the majority of the critically acclaimed, debut album, ‘Cloudcuckooland’, which featured the hugely popular single, ‘Pure’. It was the band’s 1994 album, ‘Jolification’, which saw the Lightening Seeds garner the attention they so rightly deserved. Widely regarded as one of the best albums of the 1990s, this seminal release spawned hit singles ‘Lucky You’, ‘Change’, ‘Perfect’ and ‘Marvellous’ and paved the way for the Britpop period.

 

In 2006 they released of ‘The Very Best of the Lightning Seeds’ and in 2009 Ian went on to release his solo album “Tales Told” whilst discovering and producing debut albums for The Coral and The Zutons.

 

The band returned to the live arena playing a full UK tour in 2010. and then rounded off the year as support act for Squeeze, accompanying the band as special guests on their 22 date UK tour.

 

Ian Broudie says; “I had a great time on the Squeeze tour and really looking forward to playing my own shows with an elaborate and eclectic mix of Lightning Seeds songs.”

 

www.lightningseeds.net

February 2012

 

Thursday 9th– Civic Hall, Whitehaven                                £22.50 adv

Friday 10th– City Varieties, Leeds                                                £22.50 adv

Saturday 11th– O2 Academy Liverpool*                                       £22.50 adv

Sunday 12th– The Stables, Milton Keynes                         £25.00 adv

Tuesday 14th– The Sage, Gateshead                                  £22.50 adv

Wednesday 15th– The Assembly, Leamington Spa                   £22.50 adv

Friday 17th– Cheese & Grain, Frome                                  £22.50 adv

Saturday 18th– O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London*      £25.00 adv

Monday 20th– Opera House Festival, Buxton                 £18.00 - £20.00 adv

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Thomas Dolby announces UK tour November 2011

 

 

Thomas Dolby announces UK tour November 2011

+

First studio album in 20 years

‘A Map Of The Floating City’ (released 24.10.11)

 

Monday 15^th August 2011;Thomas Dolby, electronic legend and ground-breaking synth master, will tour his brand new studio album, ‘A Map Of The Floating City’ this November.

 

 

The 11-date tour, starting at London’s O₂ Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Sunday 6^th  November, sees Dolby eagerly back on the road after a number of years away from touring and recording.

 

 

Back in the ’80s, Dolby’s smash hits ‘She Blinded Me With Science’ and ‘Hyperactive!’ helped define the MTV generation and some 20 years since his previous full release, he returns with a new studio album, ‘A Map Of The Floating City’’, featuring appearances by special guest artists Mark Knopfler, Regina Spektor, Natalie MacMaster, Bruce Woolley and Imogen Heap, will be available on Monday 24^th October 2011.

 

 

Thomas Dolby’s impressive recording and production career now stretches a staggering thirty years. He was the producer for seminal rap heroes Whodini, but his commercial breakthrough came with the 1982 release of his very first album, ‘The Golden Age Of Wireless’. Go back a year and Dolby’s innovative synthesiser work was already making its mark – he wrote the mesmeric synth intro to Foreigner’s ‘Waiting for A Girl Like You’.

 

 

In 1983, he appeared on Def Leppard’s ‘Pyromania’ album and in 1984 Dolby’s second album, the expansive masterwork, ‘The Flat Earth’, featured Dolby’s biggest single success - ‘Hyperactive!’ - a fine piece of pop-art funk that was originally written for Michael Jackson. After successfully producing Prefab Sprout's revered 'Steve McQueen' album, Dolby would spend the rest of the decade working with George Clinton, David Bowie, Roger Waters of Pink Floyd, Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock..

 

 

The five-time Grammy®-nominated British artist quit the music business in the early ’90s and spent many years in Silicon Valley, where his tech company Beatnik Inc. created the ringtone synthesizer embedded in more than three billion mobile phones shipped by Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson and others.

 

Of the new album, which is divided into three parts, Dolby says, “The new songs are organic and very personal. ‘A Map Of The Floating City’ is a travelogue across three imaginary continents: In Amerikana I’m reflecting with affection on the years I spent living in the U.S.A., and my fascination with its roots music. Urbanoia is a dark place, a little unsettling…. I’m not a City person. And in Oceanea I return to my natural home on the windswept coastline.”

 

 

“I marvel at the new landscape of the music business - distribution via the Internet and recording technologies I barely dreamed of when I started out,” he continues, “but this album does not sound electronic at all. I have zero desire to add to the myriad of machine-based, synth-driven grooves out there. The Net has made a music career approachable for thousands of bands - but I hear too few single-minded voices among them, so I’m returning to what I do best, which is write songs, tell stories.”

 

 

Thomas Dolby UK Tour Dates

ticketweb.co.uk - 0844 477 2000

 

*Sunday 6^th November        

O₂ Shepherd’s Bush Empire (£25.00 adv)

 

*Monday 7^th November       

The Forum, Hertfordshire (£21.50 adv)

 

*Tuesday 8^th November      

O₂ Academy Bournemouth (£21.50 adv)

 

Wednesday 9^th November

The Assembly, Leamington Spa

 

Friday 11^th November

Gaiety Theatre, Isle of Man (£25.00 adv)

 

*Saturday 12^th November

Stanley Theatre, Liverpool Guild of Students (£21.50 adv)

 

*Sunday 13^th November

O₂ Academy2 Birmingham (£21.50 adv)

 

*Monday 14^th November

O₂ Academy Oxford (£21.50 adv)

 

*Wednesday 16^th November

O₂ ABC Glasgow (£21.50 adv)

 

*Thursday 17^th November

O₂ Academy Sheffield (£21.50 adv)

 

Friday 18^th November

Picturedrome, Holmfirth

 

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Tom Vek to play O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire

 

 

 TOM VEK: 'LEISURE SEIZURE'

THE NEW ALBUM RELEASED 6^TH JUNE 2011 ON ISLAND RECORDS

 

Five years on from his acclaimed debut album, Tom Vek is back.

 

The self-taught recording artist's process and musical output is loaded with cryptic contradictions; his scrappy, chopped-up, beat rock sounds are housed in contrasting clean and precise artwork; this new era's trademark, the obsessively refined pair of British made Anglo American glasses, sit unworn on the cover of the focused new 12-track album. Even its title, Leisure Seizure, is an intriguing juxtaposition.

 

Vek spontaneously released his first album just as the digital age was dawning, guest starred on The O.C. and then disappeared. British-born, his references are rooted in American culture, ranging from mid 90s alt-rock, cable access TV shows and post-war fiction. Raised in south-west London, Vek originally trained in graphic design at Central Saint Martin’s. During this time he wrote and recorded his debut album, We Have Sound. The album was released on the cusp of the information age with social-networking sites such as MySpace enabling anyone to release their music into the public domain, and artists being able to document their every thought and move. Just as everyone began registering online, Vek successfully created a mysterious persona. After a five-year disconnection, the artist returns with Leisure Seizure, released 6th June 2011 on Island Records. 

 

Following the justification of his debut album's reception, Vek wanted to fulfil the idea of a ‘multi-faceted individual’ and remain in complete control of his creative output. An artist with a unique and singular vision, Vek has a systematic way of working. The second album's creation was two-fold: a 3 year set-up period followed by a 2 year stretch of musical output. A process encapsulated up in the album's title, Leisure Seizure. Pragmatic and enthusiastic about the 'mechanics' of making music, Vek found a suitable studio space in east London, and set up PALLET Recording Studio (which also took on a double life, shaping the sound of underground Dalston as the venue for his friend Rory Atwell's productions). Vek procured new equipment – including the customised, concisely equipped mixing desk, lushly yet ironically presented in the album's sleeve notes – and taught himself new production skills. With a framework in place, he was ready to begin recording – a phase he describes as "unashamed creativity". Any scrutiny beyond this point would mean the all-important cryptic nature of the Tom Vek brand would be missing. 

 

The first single, A Chore (released 18 April 2011) is accompanied by a concept video, which acknowledges the artist’s five-year absence. Having been out of the public eye for so long, Vek takes the role of presenter of T.V. Island, a self-imagined American cable show that references Glenn O'Brien's cult TV Party and BBC's Desert Island Discs. Whereas guests on the BBC radio show are asked to imagine themselves stranded on a metaphorical island for an hour, Vek acknowledges his long absence it its entirety. Characteristically wry, sarcastic and mischievous, the song and video are a fitting analogy – five years on, the perfect desert island isn't the place one first imagined.

 

Vek's debut album was spontaneous – in both its release and its sound. Leisure Seizure is a distinct development; a more controlled, consistent and elaborated version of the unique, raw sound of We Have Sound that intrigued and captivated its audience. The formula remains the same: Vek begins with an unusual noise or recording and develops the track from there, with the final process an objective and sensitive co-production from Tom Rixton and Liam Howe. Equally engaging, Leisure Seizure typifies Vek's self-coined beat rock. Music that is engaging with an emphasis on groove and cryptic angular statements. A sound that doesn't slot into or borrow from current nor nostalgic musical movements. Working as a solo, multi-instrumentalist means there is never any obligation to use an instrument that isn't absolutely necessary. 

 

Five years on, the mystery ends. Satisfied and excited about the release of his second album, Vek is looking forward to a period of open experimentation, collaboration and starting with one of his own (A Chore re-edit) producing remixes for the first time.

 

Tom Vek recently marked of ‘Leisure Seizure’ with a five date UK headline tour, but has just announced a new London show at O₂ Shepherds Bush Empire. Details below

 

Wed 16^th November                  London O₂ Shepherds Bush Empire                

 0844 477 2000

Tickets are £16.50

On sale Friday 1^st July 9am – www.gigsandtours.com / 0844 811 0051

 

WWW.TOMVEK.TV

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The Bluetones Announce Second date at o2 Shepherds Bush Empire

 Due to phenomenal demand indie legends The Bluetones have added another London date to their farewell tour. The second gig at O₂ Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Tuesday 27^th September will be the band’s final ever show. On announcing the extra date, frontman Mark Morriss said;

"We’re ecstatic that due to an overwhelming demand for tickets, we’ve had to add an extra London show. This will be the final UK performance by The Bluetones and promises to be the absolute shizz!"

Their debut album ‘Expecting to Fly’ released on 12th February 1996 knocked Oasis’ ‘(What’s The Story ) Morning Glory?’ off the Number 1 spot in the UK album charts and delivered 3 Top 20 singles, ‘Bluetonic’, ‘Slight Return’ and ‘Cut Some Rug’.

Hugely influential in the Britpop movement, the Farewell Tour will be a reminder of how important The Bluetones are within the UK indie music scene, and marks the end of an era for the band who have been going strong since they formed in the early ‘90s.

Tickets for the last ever show go on sale Friday 3rd June at 9am and available from ticketweb.co.uk

Tour dates: September 2011          *Academy Event presents

     Saturday 3rd                           Yeovil, Orange Box

                      Monday 5th                              Cardiff, Millennium Music Hall

Tuesday 6th                            Reading, Sub89

         Wednesday 7th                       Brighton, Concorde 2

               Thursday 8th                           Southampton, The Brook

                    Saturday 10th                          Manchester, Club Academy

     Sunday 11th                            Glasgow, O₂ ABC*

                Monday 12th                            Newcastle O₂ Academy*

              Tuesday 13th                          Sheffield O₂ Academy2*

               Thursday 15th                         Liverpool O₂ Academy2*

                                     Friday 16th                              London, O₂ Shepherd’s Bush Empire*

Saturday 17th                          Leeds, Cockpit

                      Sunday 18th                            Bournemouth, O₂ Academy*

            Tuesday 20th                          Oxford, O₂ Academy2*

          Wednesday 21st                     Bristol, O₂ Academy*

                      Thursday 22nd                        Birmingham, O₂ Academy2*  

                    Tuesday 27th  FINAL SHOW London, O₂ Shepherd’s Bush Empire*

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