Dreamscape – Toyah Willcox Fansite

Info from Saturday’s second Toyah At Home, which aired at Toyah’s official You Tube channel.

• Good Morning Universe: was the song of the morning, with Toyah explaining how it got its title. Joel Bogen wrote the music and as soon as Toyah heard the joyous track she wanted to call it Good Morning Universe.

• Good Morning Universe: Toyah performed a live version of the title song from Toyah’s third EP, and ninth single, released in November 1981. I’ve always loved this song, and all the others on the Four More From Toyah EP.

• Shirley Manson: Toyah mentioned the Garbage lead singer’s recent comments about Toyah being one of her early influences.

• Early Influences: Toyah talked about her own early influences, Dusty Springfield and Sandie Shaw in the 1960s, as well as Curved Air, Grace Slick, Roxy Music, Alice Cooper, Lou Reed and David Bowie in the 70s.

• Movies: To Be Someone will hopefully be showing later this year, with press and publicity happening soon. Toyah also mentioned Give Them Wings.

• Take The Leap!: Jolyon Dixon, the guitarist from Friday Forever and Toyah’s Take The Leap! band asked Toyah if she would be interested in a Leap! anniversary tour.

• Steve Strange: Toyah talked about the Visage frontman back in the days of her Mayhem warehouse and the Blitz Club and the last time she met him, at the V&A Club To Catwalk exhibition in 2013.

• Favourite Venues/Tours: Toyah reminisced about playing (the legendary) Glasgow Apollo. Her favourite venue is Wembley Arena, and she loves playing in churches because of their great acoustics. Toyah loved all of The Humans tours, and also the recent Thunder In The Highlands tour.

• Computer: Will this ever be played live? There are plans for some of the Safari album songs to be played live during Toyah At Home to coincide with the Cherry Red release of Toyah’s Safari back catalogue.

• Ophelia’s Shadow: Some of the songs are too studio layered to perform live but Lords Of The Never Known and Brilliant Day will be (Toyah mentioned the late Keith Tippett).

• Prostitute: Toyah talked about the possibility of the album being performed live as an art project with visuals. She also talked about performing the album during the FrippFripp tour in 1988, and about the legacy of the album and its meanings now as the world changes and evolves.

• Toyah also chatted about which song took the longest to write (Slow Descent by The Humans was mentioned), and the show ended with live footage of She’s Fast by The Humans from Trading Boundaries in East Sussex.

Today’s Sunday lunch from Toyah & Robert is for all of you who miss the ones you love. x (My Dad is a big fan of Dance In The Hurricane, and he loved Toyah and Robert’s performance of it today, and the sentiment expressed).

• Yorkshire Times: Let’s Rock Announce On Line 80’s Lockdownfest2: Following the huge success of the first 80s LockdownFest last month, Let’s Rock have announced a second online festival, 80s LockdownFest2, happening on Friday 3rd July from 7:00pm – Continue reading…

• Glastonbury/PRS for Music: Rewatch Toyah’s 2016 Interview which has just been added to PRS for Music’s Glasto Playlist – Toyah Willcox chats to M magazine in the PRS for Music tent at Glastonbury 2016 about her creative highs, early inspirations and ongoing love affair with songwriting – Continue watching…

• The Audiophile Man: Vinyl Review Round-Up #1: Reviews of Toyah’s recent vinyl releases, including Minx, Prostitute and Ophelia’s Shadow – Watch here (from 8.04)…

• Octopus TV: Andrew Eborn is joined by Chris Wong who talks about his life and career including as Toyah Willcox’s musical director and guitarist, working with Toyah in The Humans along with REM’s Bill Rieflin and 25 years in panto at Marlowe Theatre where he has played the Ghostbusters theme tune over 13,500 times! – Continue watching…

• Jools Holland: Toyah chooses her favourite acts: if anyone missed this when it aired or was available on BBC Sounds, you can listen to it here…

Woo Fest secures big-name acts in new virtual format

An award-winning county music festival taking place virtually this summer, because of social distancing measures, has secured new big-name acts including Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Grant Nicholas, from Feeder, and Toyah Willcox.

Woo Fest, which will be streamed live to homes and gardens around Worcestershire and beyond on Saturday 4th July, will feature a mix of live and pre-recorded sets and will be hosted by Richard ‘Hursty’ Hurst. Previously confirmed performers include Nigel Clark from Dodgy, Andy Bennett, formerly of Ocean Colour Scene, Nick Parker and a host of Woo Fest regulars.

The family-friendly festival, which donates every penny to St Richard’s Hospice in Worcester, was set up in 2015 by Luke Simons and his sister, Ria, in memory of their Dad, John. Last year Woo Fest was named Best Small Festival at the UK Festival Awards in London.

Luke Simons, festival organiser, said: “We’ve been blown away by the response from artists keen to take part in a virtual festival this year and support the care that St Richard’s provides locally at the same time.

“With the help of our friends at creative communication agency DRPG, who are streaming the event live on their website, we’re hoping to bring some festival fun to those missing live music events and so much more this summer.”

Woo Fest will take place on Saturday 4th July and will be live streamed on the DRPG Communications website virtualwoofest.drpg.events – Woo Fest will get underway at 3pm and run until 10.30pm.

• Continue reading at strichards.org.uk. See more info on Virtual Woo Fest 2020. The festival will air online here.

Some info gleaned from the first, fact packed, Toyah At Home, which aired yesterday at You Tube. This is going to be a great series.

• Thunder In The Mountains: was the first song of the series, with Toyah discussing the background to the song, and life at the time of the writing and release of the single in the summer and autumn of 1981 respectively.

• Thunder In The Mountains: Toyah performed a live version of the classic single (Toyah’s eighth), written by Toyah, Adrian Lee and Nigel Glockler. It truly is an incredible track.

• Good Morning Universe – Live at Drury Lane: Toyah reminisced about the Christmas Eve 1981 gig which aired on The Old Grey Whistle Test.

• Street Addict: Toyah revealed the meaning behind the lyrics of this much loved song. The b-side of Thunder In The Mountains.

• Anthem: Yes, there are plans for the 40th anniversary of Anthem. The album is being re-released in 2021 and there will be an Anthem Tour in the autumn of that year. Dates will be announced once the Electric Ladies Of The 80s Tour is completed in June of next year. Toyah said: “It’s a fantastic album, and we can’t wait to revisit it and play it for you“.

• Joel Bogen: Toyah revealed she has “been inviting Joel to come and join us, and hopefully one day that might happen, But let’s see“.

• Strictly Come Dancing: The Toyah song Toyah would dance to on Strictly would be I Want To Be Free, “and do something really anarchic“.

• Sympathy: A song, from Minx, never performed live before. The question gave Toyah an idea about the song!

• Toyah also discussed vocal warm-ups, the radio play Headcrash, the lockdown dances with Robert. The half hour programme ended with a new version of Sensational – One World In Transition, May Every Child Flourish.

• See you next week for Toyah At Home #2.

Viewers have been wondering what is inside Toyah’s red handbag….. wonder no more.

Anchoress: London Live: Friday 3rd July: 2.05am
A peasant girl develops a fascination with a statue of the Virgin Mary, which prompts a priest to sentence her to be walled up in the church. When she discovers her mother is to be tried as a witch, she resolves to break free from her imprisonment, even if it costs her her life. Medieval drama, starring Natalie Morse, Toyah Willcox, Pete Postlethwaite, Christopher Eccleston, Gene Bervoets, Brenda Bertin. Director: Chris Newby.

Toyah’s Sack The Stylist?! Top 30: NOW 80s: Thursday 25th June: 3am
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!

Good Morning Universe! Welcome to Toyah Day. #ToyahAtHome is airing at You Tube now!

Story of disabled Darlington fan flies to Venice Film Festival, down Oscar path

Give Them Wings, an upcoming film about the struggle of Quakers fan whose battle with meningitis as a child left him disabled, has finished production and began down the Oscar path.

The movie, which is undergoing final edits, follows the story of wheelchair-user Paul Hodgson who “was told he would only live to five but is now 55” and has been sent to Venice Film Festival – an Oscar qualifier.

Give Them Wings has been accepted but not yet selected, though the team will know in the coming weeks.

… The story of his childhood struggles with the disease, which looks at life as a disabled person, filmmaker and Darlington football fan, has attracted a cast including Toyah Willcox and film newcomer but previous Byker Grove actor Daniel Watson, who plays Mr Hodgson.

Now, the low-budget film which was seven-years in the making and relied on a crowdfunding campaign, is on the Oscar trial, hoping to be shown major film festivals and “navigate the narrow corridor” to the Oscars.

• Continue reading at The Northern Echo. Browse further info on Give Them Wings at longdogproductions.co.uk. See some photos from the film at darlingtonfc.co.uk.

Cecil Beaton’s Charming Wiltshire Estate Hits the Market for $5 Million

Mick Jagger, David Hockney, and Greta Garbo were once guests at the English country manor.

The longtime estate of famed British photographer Cecil Beaton has hit the market for £4 million. Nestled in the Wiltshire countryside, the Grade II–listed Reddish House was Beaton’s home from 1947 (when he bought it for just £10,000) until his death in 1980.

The picturesque English country manor features a hip roof, gabled dormers, and stone quoins lining its stately redbrick façade. Beaton was one of the world’s most celebrated fashion photographers in addition to being an acclaimed painter and designer. (He even won three Academy Awards for his costume and production work in Gigi and My Fair Lady.)

… In the wake of Beaton’s death, residents have included Countess of Chichester, Ursula Henderson, as well as musical power couple Robert Fripp and Toyah Willcox.

• Continue reading at Galerie.

Toyah’s Sack The Stylist?! Top 30: NOW 80s: Thursday 18th June: 3am
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!

Beginning 20th June, Toyah At Home will premiere each Saturday at 11am on You Tube. This weekly slice of music & musings will include a live song and more. Pose your questions or share your experiences & recommendations of lockdown life which Toyah will respond to. Reply/use #ToyahAtHome at Toyah’s social media. (Photo on left © Toyah Willcox)

Toyah unboxing her second box set release of 2020 – Noise In Your Head by Toyah & The Humans. The retrospective set, which looks yet again fantastic, is comprised of four CDs, a DVD and comprehensive information booklet. The set is dedicated to, the late, Bill Rieflin. Click below to watch the unboxing at You Tube. (Screenshots from a video that is © Toyah Willcox)

Premiering today – Toyah & Robert Fripp – Caffeinated Mouse Tap Dancing to “Fracture”. Toyah & Robert’s Sunday lunch this week is a visual representation of what King Crimson’s Fracture sounds like to Toyah. Fracture is arguably the hardest King Crimson song to play on guitar.

I rarely get personal on here. This website is about Toyah’s career, not me or my life! But today I’d like to pay a little tribute to my late Mum. On this day in 1997, 23 years ago, my Mum, Isobel, died. Today would also have been her 79th birthday. Yes, my Mum passed away on her 56th birthday! I miss her every day – Here is a great photo of my Mum, with my cousin, taken in my teenage bedroom back in late 1982. Happy memories!

New Guests Added To Conversations With… Mark Curry In Aid Of Acting For Others

Further guests are today announced for Mark Curry’s Conversations With… series in aid of Acting For Others. Each conversation, taking place via zoom, is an in-depth look into the guests lives and careers, as well as finding out their thoughts and tips on getting through lockdown, Mark speaks to a mix of interviewee’s including performers, presenters, and directors. Joining the previously announced guests are Vicki Michelle, Millicent Martin, Sally Hughes, Robin Herford, Toyah Willcox and Annabel Croft.

… Interviews will be released via Acting for Others’ YouTube weekly. They are free and available to all, with the opportunity for viewers to donate in support of the charity: justgiving.com/campaign/actingforothers

• Continue reading at Broadway World. NB: Airdate to be confirmed for In conversation with Toyah Willcox about being an ’80’s singing legend, her acting career and how she’s kept the success going through the years.

Re-uploaded to this website’s You Tube channel recently, Sky Trax – The 1985 Toyah Special; a great Minx-era interview; and BBC Breakfast Time, a much shorter but still interesting Desire-era interview. These uploads have both been edited to remove all music from them, which was the reason they were originally made unavailable by You Tube.

Lots of other quirky clips and footage have also been added to our channel: Toyah, Superhits, Monster Munch 80s adverts, and more! Click below to visit and/or subscribe!

Toyah tweeted and instagrammed yesterday that she had just received her Toyah & The Humans Noise In Your Head box set. Please click on either of those links to see the photo. Toyah’s second box set of 2020 is released on 3rd July and can be pre-ordered by clicking below.

Trailblazers: Sky Arts: Monday 22nd June: 2pm
Trailblazers: Sky Arts: Saturday 27th June: 10am
New Romantics. Toyah Willcox and Billy Bragg are among those examining the New Romantic movement, from The Human League and Adam Ant, to David Bowie and Ultravox. (Series 1, Episode 16)

On June 6, 1980 Toyah released The Blue Meaning, an album that would top the UK Indie charts. Fronted by the multi-color haired Toyah Willcox, who played Monkey in 1979’s The Who album-inspired Quadrophenia and acted beside Kate Hepburn, the band had already scored a UK#1 Indie single with “Victims Of The Riddle”and expectations were big.

The album, now considered a cult classic by some, peaked at UK#40 on the mainstream album charts. The band would soon break up.

The articles I’ve read about Toyah Willcox from that time don’t reveal much, but in 2017, she was interviewed by BBC Radio for their Inheritance Tracks segment and we learned she had strict parents who, when she was very young, made sure she was in bed by 6:30 at night, not to be seen again until 7 AM the next day. Her mother picked out her clothes. She was dyslexic, number-blind and club-footed, and she determined to be seen and heard:

• Continue reading at 40 year Itch.