Dreamscape – Toyah Willcox Fansite

Toyah Willcox: The things that have remained constant are originality and energy

Almost 40 years after Toyah Willcox first appeared on Top Of The Pops, the ever-busy Birmingham-born performer is set to join other stars of the 80s at the Forever Young festival in Co Kildare this summer. Lorraine Wylie caught up with her

Toyah Willcox is a woman of many talents, proving her skill as an actress, producer, author, singer and songwriter in the past four decades. But for diehard music fans, she is best known as the ‘princess of punk’.

Between 1979 and 1981 her band Toyah released their first three studio albums, Sheep Farming in Barnet, The Blue Meaning and Anthem; it was the latter that truly launched Willcox into the spotlight and, as well as spawning hits such as I Want To Be Free and It’s A Mystery, earned her a gold disc.

This summer, fans will have an opportunity to hear material from Willcox’s most recent album, In The Court Of The Crimson Queen, when she joins a host of other stars of her era at the Forever Young Festival in Co Kildare. With that Irish visit in the pipeline and a British tour about to kick off, I caught up with the star who told me why, at 60, she still loves performing and what inspires her music today.

“I love doing live festivals,” she said. “The summer has arrived, the weather is great and you’re performing outside. It’s a fabulous way to communicate your music. I’m very much looking forward to coming to Ireland. There’s such a strong cultural identity there and I get such a warm welcome. My music is very much for my audiences who have travelled with me for the past 42 years.

“Although, I say that but when I look out at my audiences, they’re all under the age of 25. Today, I’m writing from the perspective of my age. I’m not interested in a historic perspective. My lyrics are a nod to things I experience at this age.”

• Continue reading at The Irish News. (Photo © Official Toyah)

In The Court Of The Crimson Queen is reviewed in the latest issue of Classic Pop magazine (Issue 51, April 2019)

Issue 51 of Classic Pop is on sale now!

Available from WHSmith, Tesco, independent newsagents, Tesco Ireland and Easons, the new issue of Classic Pop is on sale now!

This month, we have an exclusive interview with Bananarama‘s Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward as they return with their first new studio album in a decade. We also meet iconic duo Hall & Oates before their UK arena tour and talk to Gary Numan as part of our look into the superfan phenomenon.

Our packed new album reviews section includes Bananarama, Edwyn Collins, Toyah, Andy Bell and The Chemical Brothers. On the reissues front, we revisit New Order‘s debut Movement plus re-releases from Prince, Kate Bush, R.E.M, David Bowie and more.

Celebrity Fantasy Homes: Home: Thursday 11th April: 1.50am
Toyah (Series 2, Episode 2). Celebrities hunt for a new home. Gaby Roslin helps the original punk-pop princess Toyah Willcox search for a second home, in Richmond upon Thames, with a budget of £650,000.

Toyah will be joining Jeremy Vine on his panel on Tuesday 2nd April in front of a live studio audience for the recording of his show on Channel 5. To be a part of the audience for free, you can email: jvaudience@itn.co.uk – Or text “AUDIENCE TUE2” to 85525.

The show is in Farringdon in Central London starting at 8am and finishing at 10:30am.

Jeremy Vine: Channel 5: Tuesday 2nd April: 9.15am
Jeremy Vine discusses and dissects the latest news, views and opinions, with co-host Storm Huntley helping on the live phone-ins. Today’s panel guests include Toyah Willcox.

Toyah will guest on David White’s show on BBC Radio Cornwall tomorrow morning.

Toyah Willcox (28/03/2019) Toyah discusses her new album and looks back on her classic hits from the early 80s.

• The three-hour show begins airing at 9am tomorrow morning and can be listened to online here.

Toyah will guest on The Dominic King Show on BBC Radio Kent this evening.

Toyah, Paul Hendy and The Kent Sessions with L. Norton The Dominic King Show – Join Dom for The Arts, Life in Kent, Live Music and Conversation.

• The three-hour show begins airing at 6pm this evening and can be listened to online here.

Toyah guested on BBC Radio Ulster’s The Arts Show yesterday.

26/03/2019 – We look back at the enigmatic genius of Scott Walker, author Ayelet Gundar-Goshen on her new book ‘Liar’, Toyah Willcox is back on tour and Carmel tips her favourite new TV releases.

Toyah talks punk/rebellion, her audience at gigs, imagery, In The Court Of The Crimson Queen, plus short plays of Sensational and Dance In The Hurricane. There’s also a tribute to the legendary Scott Walker, who died on Friday.

• The interview begins at approximately 6m 45s into the show, after a burst of It’s A Mystery. Listen at BBC Sounds for the next month.

• Crimson Queen Interviews: Toyah has given numerous press and radio interviews for In The Court Of The Crimson Queen‘s release. I’ve linked to a few of the radio interviews which have aired yesterday and today. Keep an eye and ear out for further soon…

• Sparkling Songs Fit For A Queen: Edinburgh Evening News/Scotsman journalist Liam Rudden recently reviewed In The Court Of The Crimson Queen and has also just interviewed Toyah. He tweeted a photo of the album press pack, as well as a new ITCOTCQ photo of Toyah. See both below. (Photos © Liam Rudden & Official Toyah)

• London Celebrity Sighting: Toyah was “papped” arriving at BBC Radio’s studios in London yesterday – See a selection of photos…

• Action Medical Las Vegas Night: Toyah was Special Guest at this charity event in Peterborough last Friday night. The audience took numerous “selfies” with Toyah – See a selection of photos…

Telepathic Lover, the second track from Toyah’s forthcoming album In The Court of the Crimson Queen is available now! Re-imagined, remixed and remastered.

If you pre-order the album via the iTunes store (for a special pre-order price of £4.99), the new track is available as an instant download. Or it’s available to stream now via Spotify. Click below for In The Court Of The Crimson Queen at iTunes.

Toyah at Twitter yesterday: “It’s gone crazy! 30 interviews in 2 days…. OMG SENSATIONAL is on BBC RADIO NORTHAMPTON“.

Toyah hits the road in autumn 2019 to celebrate and perform material from her newly re-imagined double album ‘In The Court Of The Crimson Queen’, released 12 April 2019. The album, written and arranged by Toyah Wilcox and Simon Darlow, presents a collection of finely honed songcraft, killer hooks and brings together two lifetimes of performing, writing and producing music.

The live dates will see the accomplished live performer present songs from the album including lead single ‘Sensational’ and epic album opener ‘Dance In The Hurricane’ alongside instantly recognisable classics from her revered catalogue of hit singles including ‘It’s A Mystery’, ‘Thunder In The Mountains’ ‘Good Morning Universe’ and ‘Brave New World’,  live favourites and renowned album tracks. Simon Darlow will also join Toyah on stage at some of the tour dates.

• Continue reading at Brighton & Hove News.

Toyah tweeted yesterday: “In The Court Of The Crimson Queen RSD19 vinyl looks SENSATIONAL“. (Photo © Toyah Willcox)

Liam Rudden: Dancing in the hurricane with the Crimson Queen

When Toyah Willcox sings that she danced in the hurricane, drums driving a hypnotic rhythm in the background, you can just picture the scene.

So opens In The Court of The Crimson Queen, her new studio album, reimagined from an earlier release of the same name with five brand new tracks added, including the opener of Act I, Dance In The Hurricane. And what an opener it is. Raw, emotional and with an entrancing narrative, this old-school floor filler finds the singer still on the top of her game. With an irresistible beat and simple but effective hook, Toyah’s message remains as simple and clear as it has always been Be Loud, Be Heard, Be Proud.

Split into two acts – Act I has eight tracks, Act II another seven – In The Court of The Crimson Queen is the result of a collaboration with co-writer and producer Simon Darlow, he also plays all the instruments. The title, a nod to her husband, King Crimson’s Robert Fripp.

Willcox and Darlow first wrote together as far back as 1978 and influences of their previous hits Rebel Run and Don’t Fall In Love hover like ghosts throughout this release. The second track of Act I, Sensational, is a punchy uplifting bundle of joy that, like Dance In The Hurricane, is sure to become an anthem in its own right, if it hasn’t already.

• Continue reading at the Edinburgh Evening News.

Photos from last Friday night’s Acoustic, Up Close & Personal Toyah date at the West End Centre, Aldershot. Please click below to view larger versions of the photos at Dreamscape’s Toyah Gallery. (Thanks to Angus | Photos © Angus Turner)

Did you grow up in the era where Britpop ruled the charts or when 80s pop music was king? Well, you’ll pleased to know some of the biggest legends in music are making their live return this year. Keep reading to find out who’s coming to town.

O2 Academy Newcastle: Saturday 22 June
O2 Academy Islington: Sunday 27 October

Toyah Willcox is a household name, having enjoyed a successful music, TV and film career over the last 40 years. Once pop’s punk princess, she now has over 20 albums in her arsenal and in April she’ll be releasing a re-imagined version of her 2008 album, In The Court Of The Crimson Queen. Hitting the road later this year, Toyah will take the killer hooks and impeccable songwriting from the album and perform it in her truly unique style, whilst also delivering classics from her catalogue of hit singles.

• Continue reading at Academy Music Group.

Just like this universe, you are sensational… Toyah’s new video for Sensational, taken from the forthcoming vinyl, 2CD and digital releases of In The Court Of The Crimson Queen, premiered last night. Watch the promo – by Dean Stockings and Leigh Carter – by clicking below.

A Musical History: BBC4: Friday 29th March: 8pm
A Musical History: BBC4: Saturday 30th March: 1.55am
Fleetwood Mac. Fleetwood Mac fan Edith Bowman provides a narrative overview alongside other celebrity fans who all pay tribute to the band in this hit-filled hour. Contributors include KT Tunstall, Travis’ frontman Fran Healy, Toyah Willcox, Sian Pattenden and Emma Dabiri.

Full details of the VIP Passes for Quadrophenia at 40 – taking place at Cov Con (Coventry Comic Con) in September – have been made available.

We are really excited to be able to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the 1979 release of Quadrophenia!

Join us and meet cast members from the film. Grab an autograph or take part in our amazing Quadrophenia cast group photoshoot. There is also a free Q&A session with the Quad guests which is not to be missed!

Entry costs just £10 to get into the show and you can then choose if you want to purchase autographs, photoshoots, selfies etc.

We also sell optional VIP passes which give you extra discount on buying stuff individually. The following VIP passes will be available to purchase on Saturday 30th March from 10am on our website:

Hell on Wheels – Save at least £20 on the full set of Quadrophenia guest autographs and receive a limited edition show lanyard with VIP pass. You can either bring your own item to be signed or use one of our cast group 10″ x 8″ photos for signing. Event entry is not included in the pass. Price is £70 and only 50 will be available.

Bell Boy – As Hell on Wheels but in addition you also get the meet/greet group photoshoot with the Quadrophenia guests. The photoshoot will include the Ace Face replica scooter that you can sit on with the guests around you for an amazing picture! Event entry is not included in the pass. Price is £160 and only 20 will be available.

We Are The Mods – In addition to Hell on Wheels you also get selfies with all our Quadrophenia guests, early entry into the event from 9am and a queue jump pass which will get you to the front of any guest queue (including non Quad guests). Early event entry is included in this pass. Price £250 and only 10 available.

A Way of Life – All the benefits of the We Are The Mods pass but you also get a meet/greet photo shoot with all individual Quad guests and reserved front row seating for the Quad Q&A. Early event entry is included in this pass. Price is £400 and only 5 are available.

The Real Me – Our ultimate VIP pass! Get all the benefits of our Way of Life pass and you also get a limited edition 14″ x 12″ print signed by all our Quad guests, a personal birthday/Christmas card from Toyah, green room access with food and drink available throughout the day, a hotel room on Friday 27th in the same hotel as our guests, safe luggage space at the venue, a personal assistant to help you meet guests and plan your day and private transport laid on from/to railway station, hotel and venue. Early event entry is included in this pass. Price is £800 and only 3 are available.

• Continue reading for further details of the VIP Passes at coventrycomiccom.com.

The brand new Sensational video will premiere on Monday. Taken from the album In The Court Of The Crimson Queen, which is out on 12th April. There’s an Official Toyah five-day countdown to the new video. Follow it at Twitter.

New Official Toyah merchandise will be coming later in the year. For now, last remaining stock of current merch available online in limited quantities. Get these limited edition mugs, tees, bags, badges and stickers while you still can! Click below.

Toyah and Georgie Fame among early highlights announced for Holt Festival 2019

Punk princess Toyah and music legend Georgie Fame are among the first highlights announced for the Holt Festival 2019. Now in its 11th year, it’s one of the East of England’s most anticipated events and attracts visitors from near and far.

Each July the festival, whose media partners are the Eastern Daily Press and North Norfolk News, sets the Georgian country town alight with performers, musicians, art exhibitions and literary events. The early announcements include two music stars with many weeks in the charts between them.

While Toyah is well known these days for her TV, film and theatre acting, it’s her music that takes centre-stage in Holt. This year is her 40th as a top music draw and she’s bringing her full electric band for a special show.

• Continue reading at the Eastern Daily Press. Visit the Holt Festival website.