RHYTHM OF THE 90’s - Live at Manchester Club Academy Saturday May 5 2018

Warning: By the end of this post you may have the words and beats  ' No no, no no no no, no no no no, no no there's no limit'  going around your head, and if that excites you and makes you jump up to dust off your clubbing gear and dance shoes then you will be very  happy to know  you have the chance on May 5 in MANCHESTER to re-live and go back to the 90’s clubbing scene - RHYTHM OF THE 90’s are here with a Spring 2018 - UK Tour, to relive the dream,  so get down to Manchester – Club Academy on Saturday 5th May.


Since their inception in 2012, Rhythm of the 90’s have become THE band to get any party started!

Armed with only 2 simple ideas, to bring the best dance hits from this seminal decade back to the masses - and to perform them FULLY LIVE! This 7 piece band have found themselves in the eye of the 90’s nostalgia whirlwind and have taken the UK by storm with sold out show after show across the country, reaching crowds sizes of 20,000 people all bouncing along to all their favourite 90’s hits.

With highly acclaimed performances at Glastonbury, Isle of Wight and Latitude festivals and main stage slots at Love Saves the Day, Mutiny and Victorious Festival the popularity of the band just keeps on growing. It’s only a matter of time before they have the whole of Europe dancing, wearing dungarees and dusting off something called shell suits.

To quote the revered 90’s philosophers 2 Unlimited “There’s No Limit” and Rhythm of the 90 ’s fully intend to prove it.

If you remember when rhythm was a dancer and groove was in the heart,  (or  like me, a  fairly new convert to that 90s sound )  then I am sure you will love this show.

Tickets for the MANCHESTER – Club Academy show are available from:

 MANCHESTER – Club Academy   
Box Office No:  0161 832 1111

Website – https://www.manchesteracademy.net/order/tickets/13331292/rhythm-of-the-90s-manchester-club-academy-2018-05-05-19-30-00

Doors – 7.30pm      Ticket price - £15.00

Website – https://www.rot90s.com

Facebook – https://facebook.com/ROT90s

Twitter – https://twitter.com/ROT90s


You Tube - https://www.youtube.com/user/rot90sband

Former Big Country Bassist Tony Butler Releases Long Awaited Debut Solo Album! 'My Time'

On 1st June 2018, former Big Country bassist Tony Butler will release his debut solo album ‘My Time’ on Phoenix Rising Records.

Butler’s debut album arrives after 40 years working in the music industry, having worked with the  likes of Pete Townshend, Chrissie Hynde, Ray Davies, Steve Lillywhite, Roger Daltrey, Nils Lofgren and Siouxsie Sioux, before becoming a founding member of Big Country, who would go on to sell over 10 million records.

While Butler sings and plays electric, acoustic and bass guitars throughout the album, ‘My Time’ includes contributions from Big Country drummer Mark Brzezicki, who plays on four of the album’s eleven tracks (‘She’s Coming Home’, ‘Scared to the Bone’, ‘My Big Ferrari Heart’ and ‘I’m Getting Old’) and Big Country’s long-time touring keyboard player Josh Phillips (‘I’m Getting Old’).

“After years of working with some of the finest songwriters, musicians, producers and, of course, Big Country, I feel that this time is ‘My Time’ to put myself out there; apprenticeship well and truly served.” -Tony Butler

After Big Country singer Stuart Adamson’s untimely passing in December 2001, Butler harboured a deep desire not to be involved in the music business, so ruled out all opportunities to become part of any ‘supergroups’. Instead, Butler became a music lecturer at a college in Devon.

Despite his initial reluctance, Big Country reformed in 2010 with The Alarm’s Mike Peters’ on vocal duties and embarked on two sell-out UK tours.

However, while the tours were hugely successful, Butler was unhappy with the new material the new line-up had begun to write, amongst other things, so made the difficult decision to leave the group in August 2012 - which led Butler to the proverbial crossroads of his life.

In the summer of 2013, Tony started to enjoy writing again and set about the task of writing his debut solo album with renewed vigour. He also began writing a book charting the demise (from his viewpoint) of the post-Adamson line-up of Big Country, called ‘Then Came the Great Divide’.

Being managed once again by former Big Country manager Ian Grant gave Butler the confidence to see the project through. Butler said, “After mixing and mastering the album I presented it to Ian, which would be the real acid test. Fortunately, he really liked it and, all of a sudden, the project would be real.”


“I felt I had finally earned the right to take a central role for the first time, to be able to put together a musical project that is essentially about my life, loves and tragedies is something that I have owed myself for a long time.” -Tony Butler

Tony started recording the backing tracks for the album while he was still teaching, and it was here that he really started to conceptualise the basic premise of the album. “I then went onto recording everything else at my new studio,” says Butler. “I commandeered one of the rooms in my partner’s house, where I spent a very enjoyable period completing the album. I was able to spend a lot more time working on the lyrics, as by this time I had ended my employment at the college.”


The lyrical aspect developed a personal flavour, but not so personal that other people would be unable to relate to it themselves. “I was writing about people I knew and loved, so the words were a labour of love to write,” Butler says. “Stuart Adamson is very much remembered in this album, for nothing more than being an inspiration. Big Country had a unique sound, attitude and understanding in terms of people. Each part made the whole, but with this album, I am keen for people to understand my contribution to the band’s creativity; what I contributed, what I developed, and what I learned. This is ‘My Time’ and I’m really happy.”

   
Those all important links to click: 

www.tonybutlertb.co.uk/ 

https://twitter.com/tonybutlertb60  ( @tonybutlertb60 )

facebook.com/tonybutlerTB/



Posted by Marilyn Michaels
Find me on Twitter via https://twitter.com/RadioGirlProds  ( @RadioGirlProds )  and https://www.facebook.com/MarilynMichaelsRadioGirlProductions/

Terry Reid To Play Live Date in LONDON at Nell’s Jazz & Blues 26th April 2018

Terry Reid -    who is one of the greatest rock vocalists this country has ever produced - has confirmed a live show at Nell’s Jazz & Blues in London on Thursday, 26th April 2018.

 Reid will be joined on stage by Neil Hubbard on guitar, Jennifer Maidman on bass guitar and Ash Soan on drums, performing songs from across his five decade-long career; from albums such as Bang, Bang You're Terry Reid (1968), Terry Reid (1969), River (1973), Seed of Memory (1976) and Rogue Waves (1979) all the way through to some of the new songs Reid co-wrote and sang on for Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry’s latest solo LP ‘Sweetzerland Manifesto’.

 Looking ahead to the show, Reid said, “It’s the first time I’ve had the opportunity to play with my great band at Nell’s Jazz & Blues, so I’m really looking forward it. It’s going to be a lot of fun and I can’t wait to catch up with friends both old and new. Come on down and we’ll see you there!”

Opening the show will be Reid’s special guest Jon Allen, the highly acclaimed sing-songwriter who releases his new album ‘Blue Flame’ on May 18th 2018 on Monologue Records.

Tickets are available from: www.seetickets.com/event/terry-reid-special-guest-jon-allen/nells-jazz-blues/1207199

Terry Reid (photo: Jaxpics)

 Terry Reid has a remarkable history. Affectionately known as ‘Superlungs’, the in-demand Reid famously turned down Jimmy Page’s offer to become the front man for the band that would become Led Zeppelin, instead recommending and introducing Page to his friends Robert Plant and John Bonham. Due to contractual obligations, Reid also turned down a similar offer to front Deep Purple after being courted by the band’s guitarist Ritchie Blackmore.


And when Aretha Franklin cites you as England’s finest alongside The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, as the Queen of Soul did in 1968, you know you must be doing something right.

 Reid’s credentials were further consolidated on two world tours with The Rolling Stones, U.S. tours with Cream and U.K. tours with Jethro Tull and Fleetwood Mac. Reid also performed at The Isle of Wight Festival in 1969 and the inaugural Glastonbury Festival in 1970, and also performing as part of an all-star jam at Mick and Bianca Jagger’s infamous wedding reception in San Tropez in 1971.

But that’s not all. Reid’s story includes numerous collaborations with Graham Nash, his songs being covered by the likes of The Hollies, Marianne Faithfull, The Raconteurs and a back catalogue of six studio albums - including the seminal 1973 album ‘The River’ and the 1976 Graham Nash produced album ‘Seed of Memory’.

Following a return to the Glastonbury Festival in 2009, Reid played a three night residency at Ronnie Scott’s in London - one of only a handful of non-Jazz artists invited to help mark the legendary venue’s 50th Anniversary. Reid played to packed houses, critical acclaim, and returned in 2010 and 2011 to sell out three consecutive nights.

 In May 2011, Reid toured Ireland for the first time in 30 years and released a new live album ‘Live In London’, which included several previously unreleased tracks. Uncut Magazine then presented a show featuring Reid at The Jazz Café and he toured England before returning to Glastonbury once more, headlining the Spirit of ‘71 stage.


In 2012, Rumer introduced Reid to a new generation when she featured his song ‘Brave Awakening’ on her 2012 album ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ (which entered the UK Album Chart at No3), before Reid returned to perform at the Isle of Wight Festival for the first time since 1971. Later that year, DJ Shadow invited Reid to write the lyrics to a new track for his forthcoming ‘Reconstructed’ album, which became the song ‘Listen’. The song’s official video has since been played on YouTube over 500,000 times.

 For further information go to:
www.nellsjazzandblues.com 
 www.Facebook.com/nellsjazzandblues  
 www.terryreid.com

                      - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Find me on Twitter here at @RadioGirlProds
Facebook: MarilynMichaelsRadioGirlProductions

20th Century Boy - hit musical back to mark 40th anniversary of Marc Bolan's death

The hit musical inspired by the life of rock legend Marc Bolan, 20th Century Boy, returned to the stage in March on a UK-wide tour to mark the 40th anniversary of the iconic star’s untimely death.   It opened on 8th March at G-Live in Guildford. The production will enjoy a 20-week tour, visiting 27 theatres through to Saturday 30 June.

 20th Century Boy tells the life story of the legendary Bolan and his band T.Rex, exposing some of the myths and taking the audience on a tearful yet feel-good journey through Marc’s fascinating life which was cut short by a cruel twist of fate.



At his peak, Bolan was arguably the biggest rock star the UK had ever seen. Rocker, poet, electric warrior, king of glam and godfather of punk – Marc Bolan became a superstar and the press dubbed him “Bigger than the Beatles”. Before his tragic death in 1977, a few days short of his 30th birthday, Bolan lived life at breakneck speed, creating a series of iconic images, a string of number one hits and an army of obsessive fans. 20th Century Boy is a glorious celebration of glam rock at its colourful best!

 Showcasing some of the greatest rock songs ever written, 20th Century Boy features many of Marc Bolan and T.Rex’s best-known iconic hits, including Ride a White Swan, Metal Guru, I Love to Boogie, 20th Century Boy and many more of their 70s classics. 
     
Following critical acclaim for his previous portrayal of Marc Bolan in the show’s highly successful runs, Olivier Award winning West End star George Maguire  returns to lead the cast of 20th Century Boy.

 The producers have said: “We are delighted to welcome George Maguire back to the role of Marc. George has been involved with the show from the early workshop stages and has an incredibly close connection with the material.”

 Featuring a new script by Nicky Graham and Colin Giffin, the production is directed by John Maher, and features more than 20 classic Bolan hits.  20th Century Boy is produced by GreatBrit Productions in association with Bolanic Productions.

 “A visual, aural and multimedia feast!” – The Stage

“A rip-rollicking rock and roll ride” – Manchester Evening News 


Catch the rest of the  run here:

17th – 21st April MANCHESTER - Opera House

23rd - 25th April PORTSMOUTH – Kings Theatre

26th – 28th April READING - The Hexagon

1st – 5th May BRADFORD - Alhambra Theatre

9th – 12th May KINGSTON – Rose Theatre

14th – 16th May CRAWLEY - The Hawth

17th - 20th May ST ALBANS – Alban Arena

22nd – 26th May NOTTINGHAM - Theatre Royal

28th – 30th May PRESTON - Charter Theatre

31st May LINCOLN - New Theatre Royal

4th – 6th June GLASGOW - King’s Theatre

7th – 9th June CARLISLE – Sands Theatre

11th – 13th June DARTFORD - Orchard Theatre

14th – 16th June LLANDUDNO - Venue Cymru

21st – 23rd June HIGH WYCOMBE - Wycombe Swan

26th – 27th June YORK - York Barbican

28th – 30th June CHELMSFORD – Civic Theatre

For more information on 20TH CENTURY BOY - THE MUSICAL, check out the following website / social media links:

 Website – http://www.20thcenturyboythemusical.co.uk/

 Facebook –  https://www.facebook.com/BolanicProductions/

Twitter –  https://twitter.com/20thCenturyBoy4

THE SOUTH (featuring members of The Beautiful South) April 2018 tour dates

When that great British pop institution, The Beautiful South split in 2007, some members of the band didn’t feel ready to hang up their microphones or instruments just yet… 

The South feature former members of The Beautiful South including singer Alison Wheeler and lifelong sax player Gaz Birtles.  Since original singer,  Dave Hemingway, left the group at the end of 2016, Gaz has now moved across to vocal duties. They play the songs made famous by The Beautiful South and bring back the full flavour and excitement with the nine piece live band.

With the new reshuffle complete, The South are a full team again and raring to go!  Their live show promises to continue to celebrate and perform the classic Beautiful South songs -  A Little Time (the number one single), Perfect 10, Rotterdam, Old Red Eyes Is Back, Good as Gold, Don't Marry Her.  All performed again live, these songs, and many more, span an impressive 20 year career starting way back in 1989!

Come on!  Let’s Carry On… Regardless!

For more information on THE SOUTH, please visit the following websites / social media links below:

Website – http://www.thesouth.co.uk

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TheSouthBand

Twitter – https://twitter.com/thesouthuk   

You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/TheSouthBandUK


               THE SOUTH – Spring 2018 UK Tour Dates :

Fri April 6  2018 - MANCHESTER – Club Academy 
 Box Office No:  0161 832  1111
Click here for tickets for The South - Manchester show 
          
Sat  7th April    WREXHAM – William Aston Hall  
 Box Office No: 0844 888 9991 
Click here for tickets for The South Wrexham show

Sun 8th April              PRESTON – Charter Theatre 
 Box Office No:  01772 804444
Click here for tickets for The South - Preston show

Thurs 12th April          BUXTON – Opera House  
 Box Office No: 01298 72190
Click here for tickets for The South - Buxton show

Fri 13th April              POCKLINGTON – Arts Centre
Box Office No:  01759 301547
Click here for tickets for The South - Pocklington show

Sat 14th April             NORWICH – Waterfront 
 Box Office No:  01603 508050
Click here for tickets to The South - Norwich show

Sun 15th April             WAKEFIELD – Warehouse 23 
 Box Office No:  01924 200162
Click here for tickets to the South - Wakefield show

Wed 18th April           CARDIFF – The Globe   
 Box Office No:   0871 220 0260
Click here for tickets for The South - Cardiff show

Thurs 19th April               BARNSTAPLE – Queen’s Theatre     
Box Office No: 01271 316063
Click here for tickets to the South - Barnstaple show

Fri 20th April                   WESTON- SUPER-MARE – Playhouse     
 Box Office No: 01934 645544
Click here for tickets for The South - Weston-Super-Mare show

SAXON are heading to MANCHESTER Nov 2 with some very special guests!

SAXON play Manchester – Ritz with special guests FASTWAY & GIRLSCHOOL on Wednesday 2nd November 2016

NWOBHM icons Saxon have announced 10 dates for the UK leg of their upcoming Battering Ram World Tour. They will be joined by  special guests Fastway and Girlschool for the much awaited shows, opening in Newcastle on 28th October. (all UK dates shown further below)

"Gonna be a great tour with Fastway and Girlschool” - said frontman Biff Byford. “I think this line up is unique, you don't wanna miss it.  Looking forward to battering some halls… Welcome to the metal church!”

Battering Ram, Saxon’s 21st studio album, was released in October 2015 reaching the UK Top 50 and #12 in Germany. It was described by frontman Biff Byford as “a natural progression from Sacrifice” with “a bit less rock’n’roll and a bit more ‘heavy’ on it”. Following its release Saxon hit Europe with Motorhead for their 40th Anniversary tour, accompanied by Girlschool. 

Sadly, the tragic passing of Lemmy in December put an early end to the tour, and the UK leg planned to begin on January 16th was cancelled - bar a Saxon headlining show in Brighton.

Joining Saxon and Girlschool on the new dates will be Fastway, the brainchild of ex-Motorhead guitarist Fast Eddie Clarke with UFO bassist Pete Way.  The current line up features Fast Eddie Clarke with Toby Jepson (Gun/Little Angels) on vocals, Steve Strange on drums and Mama’s Boys’ John McManus on bass.  More info on http://www.fastwayofficial.com


Saxon released their self-titled debut in 1979, followed by “Wheels of Steel” the following year, which reached #5 in the UK charts and gave fans two classics in the title track and “747”. They established themselves as one of the iconsof the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal throughout the 80s. Later the band tried to attack the US market taking a more melodic direction with release of “Destiny” in 1988, before going back to their original sound with 1991’s “Solid Balls of Rock” , reaffirming their influence on the European metal scene. They continued touring and recording enjoying renewed success and released their current album Battering Ram in 2015.   They also recently released a 9 Vinyl album box set Eagles and Dragons containing the bands nine studio albums recorded between 1991 and 2009.


Saxon saw album sales topping 15 million worldwide including 8 UK Top 40 albums across their career. They are considered a seminal NWOBHM act and are known to have inspired the likes of Metallica, Megadeth, Pantera, Motley Crue and plenty more.




Wednesday 2nd November              
MANCHESTER – Ritz
Box Office No: 0161 714 4140
Tickets are available from the following website – https://www.academymusicgroup.com/o2ritzmanchester/events/845214/saxon-tickets
Tickets - £26.00 Advance
Doors – 6.30pm

On 28.10.16	UK - Newcastle	Academy
On 29.10.16	UK - Glasgow	ABC
On 30.10.16	UK - Belfast	Limelight	Buy Ticket
On 01.11.16	IE - Dublin	Academy	Buy Ticket
On 02.11.16	UK - Manchester	O2 Ritz	Buy Ticket
On 03.11.16	UK - Bristol	O2 Academy	Buy Ticket
On 05.11.16	UK - London	O2 Shepherd´s Bush Empire	Buy Ticket
On 06.11.16	UK - Wolverhampton	Wulfrun Hall	Buy Ticket
On 08.11.16	UK - Sheffield	O2 Academy	Buy Ticket
On 09.11.16	UK - Nottingham	Rock City	Buy Ticket

   
  
 




For further information on SAXON, check out the following websites / social media links:

Website – http://www.saxon747.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/saxon

Twitter – https://twitter.com/SaxonOfficial
 https://twitter.com/SaxonOfficial



https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=36&v=2oLC0nOfWGc  - ‘Battering Ram’ Official Video



 Marilyn Michaels 2016. . 

Twitter : https://twitter.com/RadioGirlProds
                                  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarilynMichaelsRadioGirlProductions

Get 'on Bard' with Shakespeare Republic -bringing Shakespeare to modern audiences in a brilliant way!

If you have always been keen to explore the work of Shakespeare, but were perhaps put off by heavy dusty books in school, or perhaps teachers who did not make it interesting then  this is a fantastic  way to take a dip in the Shakespearean swimming pool (come on in, the water is lovely!) ... read on and be inspired to dive in! - Marilyn.
                          ~   ~     ~    ~ 

Shakespeare Republic was created to introduce Shakespeare to new audiences, performing delicious bite-sized chunks of his works in familiar 21st Century settings.

Built on the premise of taking a selection of Shakespeare monologues and making them more accessible to modern audiences by setting each piece in a contemporary situation, their first season in 2015 included Hamlet as Media Advisor to a Government Minister, Juliet as a gay man in a Skype conversation, Phoebe as an entitled Gen Y drunk texting, Macbeth as a politician about to metaphorically knife an opponent, and even a  female Hamlet weary from the corporate cut and thrust and a performance of Sonnet 18 as a eulogy.

All locations were donated for filming and all cast and crew volunteered their time. It was an experiment to see if their take on Shakespeare could find an audience and achieve what they were hoping to do: show that Shakespeare is just as relevant to us now as he was to audiences 400  years ago.

The response to the work on release was astounding.  They were 'gobsmacked and thrilled' at the way the work was received.

  Shakespeare Republic Season One has now been Officially Selected for twenty one film festivals internationally and is the recipient of seven awards:

• The Silver Gaddy Award for Best Mobisode or Web Short, Peak City International Film Festival (USA);
• Best Web Series, 12 Month Film Festival (Romania);
• Best Web/New Media, Los Angeles Cinefest (USA);
• Best Web Series, Indiepossible International Film Festival (USA)
• Best Director, Indiepossible International Film Festival (USA)
• Best Cinematographer, Indiepossible International Film Festival (USA); and
• Best Actor, Indiepossible International Film Festival (USA)

 The exciting and talented Season Two cast includes:   Dean Haglund (X-Files) Alan Fletcher (Neighbours), Nadine Garner (The Doctor Blake Mysteries),  Sally McLean (Utopia), Billy Smedley (Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries),  and many more!  

 Directed and produced by Shakespeare Republic creator Sally McLean with the assistance of co-Producers, Billy Smedley, Shane Savage and Perri Cummings.Filmed by award-winning Cinematographer, Shaun Herbertson with a highly experienced crew with a total of over 170 professional credits to their names, Season Two is shaping up to be an innovative and exciting ride through the works of William Shakespeare and his contemporaries, featuring an international cast and a lot of love for the Bard.

To read all about the cast and crew, head to their official website: http://shakespearerepublic.com/cast-crew/ 

Shakespeare Republic are also crowd-funding and there are just  a few days left  to get involved.  For more details  on this and the perks they offer the fabulous funders please see https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/shakespeare-republic-lovethebard--2#/

They need to raise AU$4,500 to cover some additional production costs for the main block of filming from September 15-24.  They have already put in their own money, to cover items such as costumes, production design elements and most of the catering, and also raised some funds with an earlier crowdfunding campaign in May via the Australian Cultural Fund to cover basic production costs and the expenses of the 23 cast and crew, but there are still  a couple of holes in the budget that they need to fill - click here to find out more! After all, every bit helps! Currently  53% funded at the time of posting this so do help them get there!

If you are on Twitter you can connect with Shakespeare Republic  @ShakesRepublic or by clicking here:

(all info sourced and taken from the Shakespeare Republic website and crowd-funding page)

Marilyn Michaels -
Connect on TWITTER via @RadioGirl Prods
Facebook via MarilynMichaelsRadioGirlProductions