UK update
Sorry for the delay in announcing details of my October UK dates. There are a few variables that need to get sorted out, eg visa issues, equipment carnets, and so on. I am putting together a UK retail version of ‘The Sole Inhabitant’ CD and DVD with a label there (more news to come) and they want to get involved with the gigs. But it’s possible the venues may still be changed around, and more dates added in addition to the six that I see TicketWeb have prematurely announced! This is compounded by the fact that the promoters Live Nation are up to their eyes in summer festival work and we need to co-ordinate with them on the venues, video projection, and so on. Plus, some of my regular crew/band are otherwise engaged and I have to find replacements. So if you can hold on a few more days, I’ll publish the exact details as soon as I can.
I’m getting very excited about returning to England. I’m thinking hard about how to balance showing off half-completed new songs, versus adding old ones that people seem to want to hear so badly. Either way, I sense the UK audiences will be all ears, and perfectly willing to go along with whatever I play, with the same kind of warmth I felt at the Scala last year.
I’ve written about this before, but I’ll say it again. It was a huge surprise to me when I walked onstage at the Scala and the place was packed to the rafters with cheering fans. When I left the UK in the late 80′s I felt so much hostility, from the Industry, from my peers in the musician community, and from the press. Perhaps it was just the ugly twilight of the Thatcher era. But I realize now that underneath it there was always a strong following, a hardcore audience that really connected with my music and got what I was trying to do. So strong in fact, that they were still there for me 18 years later when I finally came back. I hope I can reconnect with them this time around, as well as making new friends who were too young to remember. This will be quite an adventure!
I hope that you will find as warm a response on your old stompin’ grounds in the UK as you did on your U.S. tour. Adding new (and resurfacing old) material to the set will definitely make this a must-see show!
You missed the Blair-era UK all-together. A new dawn breaks….
Beech
Thomas,
the hostility you felt was nothing to do with us! The big ‘We’ in Europe (especially the UK) have always been there and will always be there. The market may have wanted SBMWS and Hyperactive but virtually none at Scala were there for that reason.
Scala was an incredible evening that quite literally brought tears to my eyes on more than one occaision. There are a lot of people who felt ‘left behind’ when you left the UK for the US. Watching and reading about the many accounts of the copious US dates made us hungry. Scala was a long-awaited feast and made us bloated after such a long fast – but so hungry for more.
I only wish that I could be there for all the dates on this tour as I had planned. I’m definately there for Islington and can’t wait. I know that I am not alone.
If you want to make me, and a lot of other people happy at the Islington date, please build and play The Flat Earth again. It defines everything that is Dolby. TFE is IMHO your finest hour so far! A reprise would be very appreciated!
Maybe you should finally record Sale Of The Century to bury those ghosts. It’s not about the money anymore. Maggie is gone and you are your own boss and master. It actually makes a bit of sense when you think about it. That was a great song and says so much with so few words.
Looking forward to Islington – whatever the playlist!
Jon in Helsinki
Thomas,
Its great to here there is a label here in the UK wanting to support your CD and DVD release, and perhaps even support more live appearances. Like Jon, yourself and about 800 other people who were there, the 23rd June 2006 holds a very special place in my memory. I cant wait to see the October gigs and am confident that you’ll strike the perfect balance between old and new.
I imagine if you are going to be supporting the UK retail release of SI then you’ll have to some key tracks from that set list and like Jon I’d support the inclusion of TFE. On a personal note it would be a lot to hear you play Airwaves live too.
It would also be great to hear a sneak peak of the new material you might be airing on this tour. You know how we all love to sing along!
BTW. If you need a stand-in crew to help lug around your rig please let me know how I might apply! I’ve got a lot of holiday to take this year (and I’m being serious)…..
Cheers,
Andrew
great to hear… Doh.
I promise I’m much better at lifting and moving than I am at writing! LOL
More years ago than I care to admit, I missed seeing you play in London because I was in the middle of exams and thought I ought to take them seriously. Afterwards I really regretted it. I’ve never seen you live, my birthday is October 13th, and guess what I want to do to celebrate this year!
By the way, although I love all of your work, I’ve loved the atmospheric beauty of “Screen Kiss” since the very first time I heard it so if you want to play something old, that would make me very happy. Back catalogue request #2: I’d still like a proper recording of “Urban Tribal” with no strange sound break in the middle.
I’m thrilled you’re coming to play here and this time I WILL be there! Thank you for the wonderful songs I’ve been listening to all these years…see you in October.
It’s been tough this year with exams, and having a death in the family and all that comes with that, it’s so nice to have something else to look forward. Whatever setlist/show/crew lineup I simply cannot wait.
Heh Thomas,
I got tickets at the weekend for your Bristol Gig at Carling Academy FRIDAY 05/10/2007 at 19.00
SeeTickets.com are selling them already are these pucka?
all the best Peter looking forward to you coming back to the UK.
Just wanted to say I think Thomas’ “I love You Goodbye” is one of the most beautiful songs anyone has ever created.
p.s. the England tour’s great but how about a little trip to play Hawaii!!!!!
Just dreaming