Artwork designed by celebrated singer and actress Toyah Willcox has been used to decorate a giraffe sculpture for the Worcester Stands Tall trail.
The prolific performer, whose career has spanned more than 40 years, themed her design around the idea of ‘making a wish’ – with the giraffe covered in stars, animals and children. The interactive design – titled ‘Touch the Wishing Stars’ – has been brought to life on the 8ft, fibreglass sculpture by Malvern artist and illustrator Rachel Blackwell.
The decorated giraffe will then be displayed alongside 29 others through the streets and open spaces of Worcester for 10-weeks from July 9th to September 16th.
Toyah is interviewed in the latest issue of Woman’s Weekly magazine (Issue dated 5th June 2018).
The article reveals Toyah and Robert Fripp are being filmed for a documentary.
What biscuit would you like to dunk?
I’m non-wheat, non-dairy, so the only biscuits I eat are Nairn’s oatcakes. They do a low sugar, dark chocolate variety.
Do you think there’s pressure to look a certain way in the industry?
It’s incredibly important to look and be fit. There is pressure, yes. I think if I didn’t look the way I look, it would affect what I do and how I choose my work, but I go wholeheartedly with that. My shows are very energetic, and even the acoustic show’s a bit like a marathon because of how much I sing. I have a strict, 1,800-calorie-a-day rule, but that’s all you need. I never feel hungry, I never feel deprived and I fully respect my body is a machine.
In the Court of the Crimson Queen was Toyah’s fifteenth studio album
Originally released in 2008, the album title (referencing King Crimson’s debut album) was suggested by producer/co-author Simon Darlow and was endorsed by Crimson head honcho (and Toyah’s husband) Robert Fripp. “At last my husband’s done something for my career!” Toyah commented.
A powerful Bowie-esque Art Rock statement, the album was New York Good Times ‘Album Of The Year’. This is the 2013 reissue with bonus track, 21st Century Supersister.
Sevenoaks mum writes and directs her first feature film – and sets it around the town
Filming for the psychological horror starts this summer and stars eighties diva Toyah Willcox along with two actors from Sevenoaks
A touch of Tinseltown will descend on Sevenoaks this summer after a mother-of-five decided to set her first feature film in the town.
Knockholt film director and writer, Jane Sanger will be joined by 80s diva Toyah Willcox and English actress Sophie Ward along with Hollywood producer Darren Denison to film the psychological horror in Sevenoaks and throughout Kent.
Former drama teacher, Mrs Sanger, 50, of Main Road, said she hoped the film, based on internet dating, would be distributed in America but promised a screening at the Sevenoaks Stag in the run up to its release later this year.
A fanatstic review for Toyah at yesterday’s Let’s Rock Norwich.
Toyah review: It’s a mystery how Echo Beach singer looks so great at 60
You could hear the gasps around Earlham Park when Toyah broke the news to the Let’s Rock that she had turned 60 last week.
No way! That was the general reaction from the huge crowd as they watched the punk rock/punk pop:New Romantic star bounce around the stage like a teenager in her retro sparkly aqua marine dress with huge silver necklace. She kicked off with Good Morning Universe and ran smoothly into Echo Beach. Her energy was amazing – her charisma was boundless.
Pointless host Richard Osman stunned by player’s shock admission: ‘Did I hear that right?’
Pointless hosts Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman were so taken aback by a contestant’s admission on the BBC programme, they had to ask her to explain herself.
Toyah Willcox was appearing on a music celebrities special of the BBC quiz when the moment unfolded. Just before it was Toyah’s turn to tackle the first question on Pointless, Alexander asked her how she got her big break. However, in doing so she make a surprise revelation that stunned both Alexander and Richard.
“Now Toyah, when did it all start for you, the showbiz career?”
Toyah, 60, explained: “I started at the age of 18. I was in a play with Noel Edmonds on BBC Two and then I was invited to join the National Theatre. But my singing started when I was at the National Theatre.”
Toyah plays Mello Festival 2018 today – her third gig in as many days after an Acoustic at Fairkytes on Friday and Let’s Rock Norwich yesterday. Toyah is playing The Assembly stage on this final day of the festival which takes place in Worcestershire.
BFI to release Derek Jarman’s ‘Jubilee’ in a 40th Anniversary Dual Format Edition on 18 June 2018
Following its inclusion in the BFI box set, Jarman Volume One: 1972-1986, BFI is set to release Derek Jarman‘s shocking cult classic, Jubilee, in a standalone 40th Anniversary Dual Format Edition release on 18 June 2018.
The film stars Jenny Runacre, Ian Charleson, Jordan, Nell Campbell, and Linda Spurrier, alongside a host of punk rockers including Toyah Willcox and Adam Ant.
The 40th Anniversary Blu-ray presentation is a 2K remaster taken from the original camera negatives.
In Jubilee Queen Elizabeth I (Jenny Runacre) and her occult aide Dr John Dee (Richard O’Brien) travel into the future, encountering the megalomania of big business as well as gangs of violent, marauding killers.
The mythological past and bleak future converge on the sparse grey streets of London in Jarman’s cult classic of the punk era, accompanied by electrifying punk rock numbers delivered by Jayne County and Adam Ant.
• Continue reading at The Arts Shelf. See further info and details on the Special Features. Pre-order the Jubilee: 40th Anniversary Dual Edition for a reduced price at Amazon.
Retro hits will draw thousands to Earlham Park in Norwich on Saturday. Simon Parkin looks at who will be taking to the stage at Let’s Rock Norwich!
The Let’s Rock! tour was held in Norwich for the first time last year and drew a sell-out crowd. Its success means the retro music festival returns and will also feature chart-topping hits from the likes of Jason Donovan, Sonia, Real Thing, T’pau, Katrina, China Crisis, Toyah and Sonia.
LET’S ROCK NORWICH! — 10 FACTS ON 10 ACTS
Toyah – Charismatic, outspoken and impossible to categorise, the restless punk-pop performer has had eight Top 40 singles, written books and appeared in films including Quadrophenia and Derek Jarman’s Jubilee.
Fans recently submitted their votes for their Toyah Top 10.
The votes were received and counted and Official Toyah will be revealing the full Top Toyah 60 countdown over the coming weeks.
The countdown continues… The Toyah Top 60 poll results playlist now includes 50-41. The songs added here start at 50 with The Furious Futures up to Run Wild, Run Free at 41.
Pointless Celebrities: Challenge: Wednesday 30th May: 7pm Pointless Celebrities: Challenge: Thursday 31st May: 2am
(Series 6, Episode 14). Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman present a special celebrity music edition of the quiz that rewards the answers that no-one else could think of. Featuring Mark King and Toyah Willcox, Carol Decker and Limahl, Dave Hill and Dave Bartram and Antony Costa and Scott Robinson.
• Live 2018: Acoustic, Up Close & Personal: Toyah makes a return visit to Fairkytes Arts Centre in Hornchurch tomorrow night to play a Sold Out Acoustic, Up Close & Personal date.
• Four From Toyah: The fantastic Telepathic Lover, from Toyah’s new EP, was included on Dark Night Of The Soul with Julie at WFMU on 19th May – See the full playlist…
• On the Radio: Still available to listen to or download: Only Artists/BBCR4 – The director and actor Alice Lowe meets the singer and actor Toyah Willcox – Listen here…
• Anthology Film Archives: Jubilee – Introduced by Tessa Hughes-Freeland: “This film just so typifies the zeitgeist in London immediately prior to my leaving. Seeing Jordan waiting for the bus on the Victoria Palace Road certainly livened up a dreary English day. Jarman’s films were a huge influence on me as a filmmaker, especially his experimental work.” –Tessa Hughes-Freeland – Continue reading…
• On the Radio: Still available to listen to: Sounds Of The 70s/BBCR2 – Toyah remembers being a punk in the 70s! – Listen here…
• Rock and Roll Dreams: The Crimson Queen – På første halvdel av åttitallet var Toyah blant undertegnedes absolutte favoritter, og nå, 35 år senere, står dama fortsatt høyt i kurs hos denne skribenten. Når Toyah Ann Willcox – som er hennes fulle navn – i dag fyller 60 år er det dermed på sin plass med et tilbakeblikk til storhetstiden, og med det suksessalbumet «Anthem» – Continue reading…
• On the Radio: Still available to listen to: Woman’s Hour/BBCR4 – Toyah discusses Jubilee, and her own life and work, both then and now – Listen here…
Exclusively on vinyl next month comes eighties alternative. This offers 30 ‘alternative’ eighties songs from a variety of artists including Scritti Politti, Pixies, Propaganda, Bauhaus and John Foxx.
As is often the case with these kind of compilations the definition of ‘alternative’ is rather broad, so as well as the artists above, tracks from Howard Jones, Bronski Beat and Dead Or Alive also feature.
No CD release for this 2LP set, which is clearly designed to appeal to those who have re-embraced vinyl, and it’s pretty good value at under £17 in the UK. eighties alternative is released on 1 June 2018 on Demon Records.
• Continue reading at Super Deluxe Edition. More info on this here. (NB: I Want To Be Free by Toyah is included on LP2 of this double vinyl album).
Just a few days to go until the start of Mello Festival 2018. The three day music event boasts six stages and runs over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend – Friday 25th to Sunday 27th May – Toyah plays on “The Assembly” main stage on the final day. The festival takes place at Severn End Country Estate, Worcestershire. Click below for further info and details on tickets.
Toyah plays the 02 Academy Newcastle on Saturday 9th June, and here are three variations of the gig flyer. Click here for larger versions and below for further info and ticket booking link.
Toyah is playing numerous festivals this Summer, including four in the next 10 days – Let’s Rock Norwich (26th May), Mello Festival (27th May), Irlam Live (1st June) and Wychwood Festival (2nd June) – In the upcoming weeks and months Toyah also plays Devizes Arts Festival (16th June), Here and Now Audley End (13th July), Let’s Rock Shrewsbury (14th July), Jack Up The 80s (12th August), Lively and Late (20th October), and also appears at Rewind South as a presenter (18th August). More info on all of these at toyahwillcox.com.
Toyah – Acoustic Up Close and Personal
SELLING FAST
Saturday 2nd June 2018
Household name, pop icon, TV presenter, and stage/screen actress (Calamity Jane, Cabaret, Peter Pan, Jubilee, Quadrophenia) Toyah comes to Acapela in June with her Acoustic, Up Close & Personal show.
A talented duo of guitarists, Chris Wong and Colin Hinds, accompany Toyah on meticulous and melodic acoustic versions of the hits It’s A Mystery, Thunder In The Mountains, I Want To Be Free and Good Morning Universe through to Sensational.
Joining the above on this occasion is bass player Mike Nichols.
Fantastic to see the Four From Toyah: Birthday Edition EP doing so well on its first day of release yesterday. Great new songs from Toyah and Simon Darlow, it’s always special to hear new music from Toyah. Click below to download. (Thanks to Official Toyah for the FFT flyer design)
What’s caused Robert to shake his money maker to Telepathic Lover by Toyah? The news that Four From Toyah (Birthday Edition) is No.1 In Amazon’s Rock Digital Charts pre-order and No.12 in Digital Albums charts as well.
Artwork designed by celebrated singer and actress Toyah Willcox has been used to decorate a giraffe sculpture for the Worcester Stands Tall trail.
Toyah is interviewed in the latest issue of Woman’s Weekly magazine (Issue dated 5th June 2018).
• Live 2018: Acoustic, Up Close & Personal: Toyah makes a return visit to Fairkytes Arts Centre in Hornchurch tomorrow night to play a Sold Out Acoustic, Up Close & Personal date.
