Ian McCulloch Unveils New Album Holy Ghosts

Echo and The Bunnymen front man Ian McCulloch has announced the release of the stunning ‘Holy Ghosts’, featuring two discs representing different eras in Mac’s work.

The first is a collection of orchestral re-workings of classic Echo and The Bunnymen and solo tracks, originally recorded during McCulloch’s show at the Union Chapel last year. It will be released on Edsel Records on 22nd April 2013.

This hugely moving album is produced by Youth (Primal Scream/Depeche Mode/The Verve) and sounds simultaneously intimate and majestic with McCulloch’s voice full of raw emotion and all the more powerful for it. It also marks the beginning of an exciting new musical direction for the iconic singer.

The second disc is a new studio album ‘Pro Patria Mori’ that showcases ten new songs and completes a fantastic package.

McCulloch will be going out on tour in April when Echo and The Bunnymen begin a UK co-headline tour with James. Tour dates are as follows.

Echo and The Bunnymen and James Tour

April 2012

13th – Glasgow
15th – Newcastle Academy
16th – Sheffield Academy
17th – Bristol
19th – London Brixton Academy
20th – London Brixton Academy
22nd – Bournemouth O2 Academy
23rd – Leeds Academy
25th – Birmingham Academy
26th – Manchester Academy

Ian McCulloch Epstein Theatre Liverpool review

Formerly known as the Neptune Theatre, the Epstein theatre has re-opened under the management of SoundCity and they launched it with the announcement of 2 nights with the legendary Ian McCulloch.

Ian, best known for fame with the Echo and the Bunnymen, was joined on stage with Lightning Seeds' Ian Broudie and a 2 piece string section and keyboard player. The set up reminding me of MTV unplugged with the curtain back drop and subdued blue lightning.

The sell out crowd waited patiently for Ian to arrive on stage and greeted him with rapturous applause when he eventually did and he wasted no time getting them eating out of his hand. Playing through a set list of classic bunnymen hits and solo stuff, Ian's voice was raspy which added to the intimacy of the night with the acoustics of the theatre amplifying it clearly and crisply.

Running through hits such as Bring on the Dancing horses before showcasing his new stuff starting with Pro Patria Mori which he self proclaimed as being a "classic" already and to be fair it was typical McCulloch material with angst ridden protest lyrics which play well to his vocals and the string section adding an extra melancholy to the song. 

Ending the set on a rapturous note with the always brilliant Nothing lasts forever which prompted the whole theatre to sing along culminating in McCulloch visibly choking up and on the edge of tears before leaving the stage to thunderous applause and the demand for more, which they got in the form of 2 encores covering songs such as Wild Side, and Lips like Sugar the audience had enough of sitting about and rose to their feet to dance in the aisles and out sing the man himself finally leaving to a standing ovation. This was a masterclass performance from a class act.

The Epstein theatre returned with a bang and a most welcome return it is. If they continue to have gigs of this calibre, then I can see a bright future for the venue. The 300 odd seating capacity being ideal for those close-up gigs and with the option of balcony seating/standing ideal for more. Long may the Epstien theatre flourish.

Article posted by Musicmafia

Ian McCulloch to open Liverpool's new Epstein Theatre

Two Evenings with

IAN McCULLOCH

(Echo and the Bunnymen)

AN ACOUSTIC SET WITH VERY SPECIAL GUEST IAN BROUDIE

Liverpool music legend Ian McCulloch has revealed plans to play two intimate acoustic shows in Liverpool on 10 and 11 May, and becoming the first official act to perform at the new Epstein Theatre (formerly The Neptune).

The shows lead up to the release of Ian McCulloch’s fourth solo album called “Pro Patria Mori”.  McCulloch will be showcasing songs like ’Different Trees’, ‘Lift Me Up’ and ‘Watch Me Land’ from his forthcoming album, along with classic Echo and the Bunnymen songs and other solo tracks from the albums ‘Candleland’, ‘Mysterio’ and ‘Slidling’”.

Ian McCulloch has been working on his new fourth album, the follow-up to 2003’s 'Slideling’, with producer Rupert Christie in Liverpool and Henley ahead of an expected spring release.  The Echo and the Bunnymen lead singer will also be joined on stage by Ian Broudie from The Lightening Seeds and who also produced past Bunnymen albums, to perform a selection of new material and old favourites.

The newly refurbished Epstein Theatre (formerly The Neptune) in Liverpool City Centre has recently undergone a 1m refurbishment and will officially open its doors to a VIP opening on 9^th May, following a management contract win by the organisers of the annual Liverpool Sound City music festival.  Liverpool born Ian McCulloch will be the first official act to perform at the 350 seat theatre.

Ian McCulloch said “It’s an honour to be asked to open the venue named after Brian Epstein. The new album is one of the greatest things I’ve ever done. I’m looking forward to playing the new songs in Liverpool for the first time.”

Dave Pichiling Liverpool Sound City CEO said “We are delighted to have Ian McCulloch for the official opening of the Epstein Theatre.  Ian is a legendary international artist.  Throughout his illustrious career both as a solo artist and with Echo and the Bunnymen he has always kept intact his credibility and integrity.”

 

The Epstein Theatre’s General Manager Christine Spriggs added “We couldn’t be more thrilled that the first show at our beautiful new theatre is an evening with Ian McCulloch. He is iconic and we believe the new Epstein Theatre is iconic too!”

SEATED TICKETS ONLY - STRICTLY LIMITED TO 350 PER SHOW!

www.bunnymen.com | www.pledgemusic.com/projects/ianmcculloch

LISTING INFORMATION

IAN MCCULLOCH

The Epstein Theatre

Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DY

Thu 10 – Fri 11 May 2012

Times: Doors 8pm

Tickets £22 advance

HOW TO BOOK:

ONLINE AT TICKETWEB www.ticketweb.co.uk

Thursday 10th May (Liverpool)

http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_northwest&query=detail&event=498672&interface=

Friday 11th May (Liverpool)

http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_northwest&query=detail&event=498693&interface=

Article posted by Musicmafia