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Category: tours

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Welcome back after what feels like a very surreal and enforced sabbatical. I’m pleased to say that glimmers of normality appear to be returning.

A few weeks ago I experienced my first proper gig in over 18 months at a beautiful setting at the Festival in Vilar les Dombes just north of Lyon. The Dire Straits Experience visited France on a tour bus, some 13 of us (musicians and crew). 

Whilst the gig was an absolute pleasure and the French audience was amazing , the journey across the English channel was somewhat challenging. Sadly the combination of Covid travel restrictions and more annoyingly , the Post Brexit restrictions , make this kind of journey very troublesome . But nonetheless  we made it. A relief after having no less than 6 gigs since June cancelled due to the aforementioned troubles We hope to be visiting Israel in October for a four date tour that was postponed in August. Fingers crossed this will go ahead. Watch this space !

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What a great way to finish the year with 12 gigs in just over 2 weeks covering Belgium, Holland and France. As per usual, great audiences and great venues. That just about wraps it up for 2019 - a very busy year for the Dire Straits Experience although we are awaiting confirmation of a possible New Years Eve Gig in Bucharest. The photo attached is of myself and Sax player extraordinaire, Chris White, who played with the original Dire Straits back in the 80s. It's taken by an amazing photographer, Jo Sudau, who has followed the band from venue to venue getting some terrific shots.

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A few days ago I received the very sad news that this year’s 80s Invasion tour would be cancelled. This promised to be one of the best lineups of 80s artists that I’ve worked with.  Eight UK shows had been planned with artists including Jason Donovan,  5-Star and Sister Sledge. 

It has however been a very difficult year for many tours with the undeniable uncertainty of Brexit and what it might entail. This impact is very clearly affecting the live music industry and no doubt played a big part in the promoter’s eventual decision to cancel. This is indeed the first time I’ve directly felt such an impact.

There are plans to possibly try again next year but for now it’s time to look forward to a more settled music industry and hope that whatever the outcome of our politicians efforts, the consequences aren’t too far reaching on ours and other businesses .

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Despite the Summer lull in DSE gigs thanks to two weather-related last-minute cancellations, we were happy to appear at the Henley Rewind Festival on August 17th. Sadly only a 40 minute appearance for us due to so many artists on the bill, but enough to keep us in trim for the forthcoming September gigs where we will be appearing in Germany, Switzerland and Israel. Come October we have gigs in Finland and Mozambique and November includes a 12 date tour in Belgium, France and the Netherlands. 

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And we’re off again. Birmingham, Cardiff, Nottingham, Glasgow, Manchester and Liverpool coming up over the next month. After the first gig at the Festival Hall in January, this Classical celebration of some of the best selling dance music of all time continues with a national tour. It’s performed by the 50 strong London Concert Orchestra including Drums, Bass, Guitar and three Synth players. The perfect chance for fans to re-live and re-experience the hits such as The Chemical Brothers – ‘Hey Boy Hey Girl’, Dario G – ‘Sunchyme’, Faithless – ‘Insomnia’, Fatboy Slim – ‘Right Here, Right Now’ and many more. 

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After three intense days rehearsal at Soundstage studios in Acton, we leave for Australia on 18th September for the Dire Straits Experience ‘down-under’ tour. Eight gigs all over the country including one in New Zealand and all within the space of two weeks. Undoubtedly a bit of a punishing schedule lies ahead but think of the air miles !

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The odds were against us - Friday the 13th and Trump was in town. But that didn’t deter the 80s fans who came to witness yet another Here and Now 80s pop extravaganza  with an all-star listing of pop royalty. Jason Donovan topped the bill with Midge Ure and 5-Star preceding amongst others. Thanks to my house band of hand picked musicians, we ‘Rocked’ ! 

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After a ten year wait, It’s finally back. The ‘Forty Years Of Disco’ Arena tour will be appearing in Leeds, London, Birmingham and Liverpool this coming week.  Im both proud and excited to be the Musical Director for this extravaganza. The artist line-up reads like a whosiswho of 70s pop music. A treat for any musician to work with the original artists of this magical era of pop music.  Sadly ‘The Real Thing’ have had to cancel after the shocking news of Eddie Amoo’s death only a few weeks ago. In their place, Eban Brown of the Stylistics will be serenading the audience with his distinctive falsetto tones.

The six piece house band of hand-picked musicians will certainly have it’s work cut out with nearly 35 songs to play in what looks to be a very entertaining evening.

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This week I’ll be starting the Brendan Cole tour. This is the eighth year I’ve worked with Brendan. ’All Night Long’ had its first showing last year and 2018 sees it appearing in yet more theatres throughout the UK and Ireland. Featuring 8 dancers and 13 onstage musicians, we will be visiting nearly 50 venues over the next ten weeks. Lovers of the BBC Strictly Come Dancing will of course be very familiar with Brendan and his live shows. Energy levels will be off the scale as usual as audiences witness some spectacular dancing. For more information check the link below.

https://www.brendancolelive.com