Its beginning to look a lot like… Toyah, looking amazing, is just about to rock Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham on the first date of the Let’s Rock Winter Tour. (Photo © Toyah Willcox)
Confirmed news, on the Crimson Queen Tour dates in 2020, by Official Toyah: We are delighted to announce Toyah has agreed to do a short, free Meet & Greet’s at the Wolverhampton & London January 2020 shows but you need to arrive early for doors open. The M&Gs are on a first come, first served basis for a limited time. Click below for ticket links for these two dates.
Toyah’s Sack The Stylist?! Top 30: NOW 80s: Friday 29th November: 4am
Pop legend Toyah brings 30 memorable videos featuring a cavalcade of clothing calamities from superstars including Bowie, Madonna, Adam Ant and many more in this crazy countdown!
A soundtrack album will be released for the British indie sci-fi adventure Invasion Planet Earth. The album features the film’s original music composed by Benjamin Symons. The soundtrack will be released digitally this Friday, November 22 and is now available for pre-order on Amazon, where you can also check out audio clips.
Invasion Planet Earth is co-written and directed by Simon Cox and stars Simon Haycock, Lucy Drive, Julie Hoult, Danny Steele, Toyah Willcox and Michael Bott. The movie follows a couple’s struggle to survive as the UK comes under attack from an alien mothership.
The film will be released in the UK in early December. No word on a domestic distribution deal.
1. This Is Kaleidoscope Man (3:03), 2. Our New Hope (1:31), 3. Vision of the Apocalypse (2:04), 4. Is This God? (1:24), 5. It Wasn’t a Dream (2:18), 6. Russian (2:47), 7. The Crash (1:43), 8. Washed Up (0:43), 9. It’s Beautiful Isn’t It (2:48), 10. I’ve Hated Every Man (1:59), 11. A Heroic Leap (3:20), 12. Point and Shoot (1:11), 13. I Am Kaleidoscope Man (3:14), 14. 20 Minutes (1:12), 15. The ISS (0:57), 16. They Are Attacking (4:03), 17. The Battle of Birmingham (5:32), 18. Nuclear Strike (1:27), 19. The End of the World (1:17), 20. Sending a Message (2:24), 21. I’ll Never Be Alone (8:14)
• Continue reading at Film Music Reporter.
Brighton’s Megan Lara Mae Collaborates With Fez & Wins Inaugural Drake YolanDa Songwriter & Producer Prize
British-Nigerian producer Feranmi Oguns aka Fez and Brighton based songwriter Megan Lara Mae have been announced as the winners of the inaugural Drake YolanDa – British Producer and Songwriter Prize. The industry panel of judges included BBC 1 presenter Huw Stephens, Gal-Dem music editor Tara Joshi, Brit Award nominated Toyah Willcox and Ivor Novello winning songwriter Michelle Escoffery.
Judge Toyah Willcox said: “Songwriting is instinctive, joyous and incredibly fulfilling. It is an art form that matures with practice and focus. Writers need a supportive environment, especially when starting out. They need to know their space is sympathetic to their creative needs and expression.
“The Drake YolanDa British Songwriter awards takes into account dedication, drive and focus but also the fact that those who are embarking on this journey need support and acknowledgement in the form of a prize that can ease room rental/travel/equipment and purchasing up to date technology.
“It is an excellent award that looks at the practical reality of being a creative songwriter as well as recognising exceptional talent.”
• Continue reading at Brighton Magazine.
• Invasion Planet Earth – DVD: The DVD includes: The movie in 5:1 surround sound, The Making of Invasion Planet Earth – Documentary, Commentary by writer & director, Simon Cox, Deleted scenes, Step into the New World. Song promo featuring Toyah Willcox – Continue reading…
• Starburst Magazine: Invasion Planet Earth / Release Date: December 5th / DVD: December 30th – Run! The bug-like alien spaceships are raining down on Earth zapping anyone and everyone. What in the name of all that is holy is going on? Yes, we assume it is an alien invasion to suppress humanity and turn us into their slaves. It is the kind of thing we have done for centuries to our own Earthly neighbours – Continue reading…
• All Events: Invasion Planet Earth (12 TBC) + Documentary Short: Starring Simon Haycock, Lucy Drive, Julie Hoult and Toyah Willcox. For ONE NIGHT ONLY, Invasion Planet Earth will be followed by FROM DREAM TO SCREEN, a short documentary ‘making of’ featurette from filmmaker Simon Cox – Continue reading…
• Comicon 2019: Invasion Planet Earth live on stage: Check out this great Q&A hosted by Chris Jones at this years Comicon with the team behind the new British sci-fi movie, Invasion Planet Earth – Continue watching…
• Darlington FC: Come and be an extra in Give them Wings – and then play bingo with Toyah Willcox! – Continue reading…
• Daily Record: Airdrie artist shows unique guitar to cast of cult movie Quadrophenia: David McDonagh, 34, blew the cast of the movie away with his artwork – Continue reading… (Photo © Daily Record)
Celebrity Money For Nothing: Quest Red: Monday 2nd December: 10am
Series 1, Episode 1. Sarah Moore and Jay Blades search the homes of celebrities to uncover unloved and unused gems for charity. Sarah and Jay look through the homes of 1980s pop stars Sinitta and Toyah Willcox in the hope of uncovering four pieces of junk to transform and sell on for a profit. Woodworking wizard Norman Wilkinson is tasked with taking on Toyah’s tired chairs, while robot-mad Mark Haig gives Sinitta’s broken fan a steampunk-inspired makeover. But will Sarah and Jay find new homes for their revamped items? With Sarah Moore, Jay Blades, Martyn Bon, Michelle Friel, Jules Kean. (Photo © BBC)
Tales Of The Unexpected: Sky Arts: Monday 2nd December: 1pm
Tales Of The Unexpected: Sky Arts: Tuesday 3rd December: 9.05am
Tales Of The Unexpected: Sky Arts: Saturday 7th December: 7.30am
Blue Marigold. Series 5, Episode 1. Dropped by her agency for her diva-like behaviour, supermodel Marigold’s mental health deteriorates. Years later, she plots a comeback. Director: Giles Foster. Starring: Toyah Willcox, Ralph Bates, Sharon Duce, Helen Fraser, Billy Hamon, Edward Jewesbury.
The Kiss Of Reality album, originally released in 1993 and featuring Toyah performing on, and co-writer of, six of the songs, is now available digitally worldwide.
This was the only album from the experimental German band. Toyah also performed live with them in the early 1990s.
Info below from Official Toyah on Kiss Of Reality and the new digital release:
For the very first time the long deleted (and scarcely available when in print) album by Kiss Of Reality is available digitally worldwide. This album was recorded in 1993 and features 11 tracks by Kiss Of Reality who are David Pittaway, Volker Rehn & Jörg Schwickerath, joined by Toyah Willcox on 6 tracks which she also wrote lyrics for. The album has also been remastered for the first time. Search Kiss of Reality on itunes, spotify, amazon, googleplay music or your favourite digital provider to download or stream.
Toyah is taking part in a special Jubilee event at Square Chapel Arts Centre, Halifax in early 2020.
The event consists of a screening of the film, an onstage Q&A with Toyah – who played pyromaniac Mad in Derek Jarman’s late 1970’s epic – and later, a full band Toyah gig.
GIG, JUBILEE SCREENING + Q&A
1st February 2020
Square Chapel Arts Centre, Halifax
This special evening at Square Chapel Arts Centre includes a special screening of Derek Jarman’s cult classic punk movie Jubilee.
Featuring a live on stage Q&A with Toyah Willcox, hosted by BBC Radio 6 Music presenter, Chris Hawkins.
Toyah will then perform a live gig with her band spanning over 40 years of her music career. Ticket deal available for both screening and the gig.
• Full details of the Jubilee screening + Q&A event here, and details of the Toyah gig which follows it, here.
Toyah was interviewed in the print edition of Friday’s Leicester Mercury. Here’s the full article:
Let’s Rock: The Winter Retro Tour is heading to Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham and among the line-up are 80s headliners Toyah and Dr and the Medics. Helen Barnes caught up with both of them
With a career spanning more than 40 years, 61-year-old Toyah Willcox is making the most of her voice being in “fantastic” form.
What’s so great about Let’s Rock? It’s one of those fantastic events where it’s a real party atmosphere – because every song you get, everyone knows. The audience can dance and sing along – it’s about them and their memories too. I think 80s music has a real narrative to it, a story to it, and people identify their lives with it. I think all of that brings an audience together – and let’s not forget it’s Christmas!
Will you be singing any Christmas songs yourself? Absolutely! We are all doing our hits and then doing Christmas songs, so the finale will be a big Christmas finale where we will all be on stage together. It’s really very exciting, as the line-up is stunning – which is why I love doing them. You’re always working with people you admire and have followed for 40 years.
Who are your favourite 80s artists then? Well, I love Talk Talk and Depeche Mode too – I absolutely adore their music still and find it very uplifting. It has transcended the decade. I’ve also just been travelling around the world with Marc Almond and he is so much fun. Every song in his set is groundbreaking because at the time his music came out, the world was changing but hadn’t yet changed. Marc is one of the people that changed the world and music is just fabulous – I always stay behind to watch his sets when we are working together!
What’s the best thing you’ve discovered since turning 60? I think there’s an independence that comes with your 60s. I’m starting to just clear my life of of everything that’s niggly and doesn’t work – and that’s usually to do with bureaucracy. I am clearing my desk of the unnecessary, without any form of guilt and just looking for things that are fulfilling. I think when you hit your 60s and realise that you’ve done your best, that’s all that matters.
Which has been your favourite hair colour over the years? The only colour available back then was a vegetable dye called Crazy Colour – today the colours are much more sophisticated. I think I just loved the orange and cerise pink together; It was so vibrant that no matter how you felt, as soon as you looked in the mirror, it was like a cup of coffee!
Have you had any hair disasters? Early on, in the punk days, my hair was crimson red, and I remember standing at a bus stop; There was a deluge and I was without an umbrella. People were just staring at me with concern on their faces. It really didn’t look good – it looked like I’d been attacked.
You’ve done tons of TV presenting, what are you more confortable doing these days – presenting, acting or singing? At the moment my voice is fantastic, so I’m honouring that and this year I’ve done a hell of a lot of concerts and next year is fully booked, but I will only do that whilst I feel I can be 100 percent. I feel grateful that here I am at 61 and I can do it. Work for me is 99 percent of who I am. I’ve never felt like a home bird or a family orientated person, so it’s all incredibly important to me.
What have you got planned for next year? Well, eight re-releases of my album – I have a very good relationship with my record company, and I have a box set coming out. I’m touring with Hazel O’Connor and then doing all the Let’s Rocks, so it’s a very busy year.
As a mummy of young children, I heard you daily on Teletubbies! How did that come about? I am friends with the creator and she just asked me to come in and read the start and end, ast the narrator. It literally took me about 30 seconds to do, but “Over the hills and far away, Teletubbies some out to play” and “The sun is setting in the sky, the Teletubbies say goodbye” are probably the most famous two lines I have ever said, in the history of entertainment!
My eldest shares the same birthday as you, May 18th. On that day, this year he was blowing out eight candles and eating a football themed cake. What were you doing? Well, I have a home in France, and I was there with my husband. We’re right by the sea so we were probably eating sea bass, caught that morning, with some wonderful French vegetables. I’m a bit of a sensible eater. To completely contradict what I’ve just said, we would have gone and had ice cream after – and lots of it!
Your name is unusual – I have never come across another Toyah. Did you come across any others when growing up? No, not at all. I think you will find that the Toyahs that exist are all younger than me, so named after me. It has now become quite popular.
You’ve spoken before about your childhood and being bullied. Were you ever tempted to get back in touch with them once you became famous? A lot have been in touch with me. I did have one quite serious connection from someone who abused me at school and wrote to me – she was so distressed by what she did to me that she had been in therapy all her life. She asked if I could forgive her and I said I never even think about it. It may have formed who I am, but I don’t give it any thought. I live in the present. I’m a pretty tough cookie and even though I hated every minute of school, I’m a survivor.
Toyah’s new single, Step Into The New World, was released last week – 8th November. The song has received much positive feedback over the past couple of weeks.
Step Into The New World is available to buy as a digital single and can also be streamed online. The promo video can be viewed at You Tube.
Toyah performs the end title song for what’s been described as the biggest indie sci-fi movie of all time, Invasion Planet Earth. Toyah also has a role in the film.
Invasion Planet Earth is in selected UK cinemas for one day on 5th December 2019. A digital/ DVD release on 30th December follows, available to pre-order now at Amazon.
• Buy the digital single at iTunes. Stream the song at Tidal. Read more about Step Into The New World and Invasion Planet Earth at toyahwillcox.com.
Flickering Myth: Exclusive trailer and poster for British sci-fi Invasion Planet Earth: Flickering Myth is delighted to exclusively debut the poster and trailer for Invasion Planet Earth, a new sci-fi thriller from British filmmaker Simon Cox, which is set for release this December – Continue reading…
Film Stories: Invasion Planet Earth: trailer for new British sci-fi movie: Heading to the big screen soon is a new British sci-fi thriller by the name of Invasion Planet Earth. The movie looks an ambitious one, too. Directed by Simon Cox, who co-wrote the script with Simon Bovey, it features Simon Haycock, Lucy Drive and Julie Hoult in its cast. And there’s no shortage of special effects on offer too – Continue reading…
Pop Horror: New Trailer and Poster For Sci-Fi Film ‘Invasion Planet Earth’: A new trailer and poster have been released for the new British Sci-Fi thriller directed by Simon Cox (Driven): Invasion Planet Earth. The film stars Simon Haycock (Last Respects), Lucy Drive (Dead End), Julie Hoult (Bundy and the Green River Killer), Danny Steele (Chicken), and Sophie Anderson (Night Bus) – Continue reading…
Seen It: Munro Films and Lightbulb Film Distribution have released the trailer and poster for their latest Sci-Fi thriller, Invasion Planet Earth: After the death of his young daughter, Tom Dunn is a broken man. When his wife falls pregnant again, he cannot believe their luck. However, his joy is short lived, as on the very same day, the people of Earth become plagued with terrifying visions of the end of the world – Continue reading…
English woes – Derek Jarman’s apocalyptic visions of England are as relevant as ever
In The Last of England, a collection of autobiographical sketches, diary entries and script notes published in 1987, Derek Jarman offered a ferocious state of the nation address:
Young bigots flaunting an excess of ignorance. Little England. Criminal behaviour in the police force. Little England. Jingoism at Westminster. Little England. Small town folk gutted by ring roads. Little England. Distressed housing estates cosmeticised in historicism. Little England. The greedy destruction of the countryside. Little England.
It’s a passage that encapsulates many of Jarman’s most persistent concerns: national identity, reactionary politics, the representation of the past, architecture, landscape and ecology.
… Jarman’s shoots were renowned for their sense of camaraderie. Toyah Willcox, who starred in Jubilee, said, ‘the whole thing about Derek was that he allowed everyone to learn. He was the most fantastic teacher. There was no elitism, there were no closed doors.’ The emphasis placed on collaboration, thrift and imagination was partly a matter of necessity. For the majority of his career, his films had tiny budgets, though public money from the BFI and Channel 4 was forthcoming from his fourth feature onwards. Jarman’s cinematic ambitions were, however, constantly hindered by battles with producers and funding bodies. ‘The money required to make a film, let alone a consistent cinematic career, can evaporate like snow in June,’ he noted.
• Continue reading at Apollo Magazine.
Toyah is interviewed in the latest issue of Classic Pop Presents… The New Romantics – Special Edition. The 132-page magazine, which is available in four cover variants with Spandau Ballet, Steve Strange, Duran Duran and Boy George covers, was published last week. Click here or below to order online. Here’s a preview of the two-page Toyah Q+A feature. (Thanks to Minna)
We danced in the hurricane at Toyah’s Brighton concert.
TOYAH + THE LAST CRY – CHALK, BRIGHTON 02.11.19
There certainly was ‘Thunder in the Mountains’ in Brighton on this wet and windy Saturday night. The wind was strong on the seafront and almost blew the bristles clean off my head. Even Toyah said onstage, that upon arriving in her chariot (car) she got blown off her feet. However, the weather wasn’t going to keep her fans from watching her perform tonight at new Brighton venue ‘Chalk‘, that’s for sure.
Anyone that was around in the 80’s will need no Toyah introduction as she was permanently on our TV screens and fully ingrained in our pop culture. She’s enjoyed a career that spans over forty years and she’s still going strong. She’s been nominated for four Brit awards, been involved in over twenty albums, written books, acted in stage-plays and appeared in TV shows and films, including of course, the legendary ‘Quadrophenia’. For the younger readers benefit, she has also provided voices for Teletubbies characters. You could say that she’s been busy.
• Continue reading at Brighton and Hove News.
Toyah’s blog for November 2019 is available to read at toyahwillcox.com – Click below to view.
“The Toyah and Hazel O’Connor rehearsals are fab“. Click here to see the tweet and on the photo below for tour info and ticket links for Electric Ladies Of The 80s. (Photo © Toyah Willcox)
Quadrophenia – Our Generation: Sky Arts: Friday 15th November: 10.15pm
Quadrophenia – Our Generation: Sky Arts: Sunday 17th November: 11.45pm
Celebrity fans and cast members come together to shed light on the making of Quadrophenia and explore the legacy that the cult film has left behind, 40 years after its release. (Photo © Sky Arts)
The artwork for the digital release of Step Into The New World.
Nigel Glockler – drummer on Anthem, College Tour/At The Rainbow, Four From Toyah, Anthem Tour, I Want To Be Free, Sphinx/For You, Thunder In The Mountains (yeah, like I needed to detail that but he is a legend!) – was in attendance at Toyah’s final 2019 Crimson Queen Tour date at Brighton Chalk last night. (Photo © Toyah Willcox)
