Dreamscape – Toyah Willcox Fansite

A much expanded/reworked version of the recent ‘Frome Standard’ interview with Toyah, by Lisa Evans, was published yesterday by the Bath Chronicle.

After performing in Frome, former punk princess Toyah Willcox tells us why she loves Bath and why she owes her success to looking strange

Charismatic, outspoken and impossible to categorise, former punk princess Toyah Willcox is one of Britain’s iconic household names. When she visited Frome to perform at the Cheese and Grain this month, she told Lisa Evans why she adores Bath and why she owes her success to looking ‘strange’.

Toyah Willcox has always liked to surprise. She is, she admits, ‘a bit of an attention-seeker’ and was a rebellious extrovert who knew what she had to do to be noticed. During her 20s, with her shock of bright pink hair and unconventional outfits, she was the most outrageous and most successful punk rocker of her age, and she tells me that she thinks her alternative look was the reason she found success.

“I always wanted to be noticed,” says Toyah. “And, for me, dying my hair crazy colours and wearing different clothes from everyone else helped me to break free from the mould which women were put into at the time. I wanted to be different and not judged by the same book as everyone else was.

“And to be honest with you, if I hadn’t have looked a bit strange, I don’t think I would have been noticed in the first place. I owe my career to that colourful hair – I was a punk rocker at a time when no other woman was doing anything like that.”

• Continue reading at the Bath Chronicle.

A previously unreleased live track has been made available by toyahwillcox.com.

Get In Your Car [Live at Triple Door Club, Seattle] by The Humans is now playing on Toyah’s Official Gigs page. A great taster for the forthcoming UK live dates by The Humans.

Toyah & The Humans kick off a special six-date tour Telling Strange Tales on 11th April.

• See the dates, buy tickets & hear the exclusive unreleased live track at toyahwillcox.com. Browse Dreamscape’s Strange Tales and Telling Strange Tales UK Tour news feeds.

Toyah’s Electric Ladies, new from Vintage TV, is now being listed in the latest television guides. There are two airdates so far.

Toyah’s Electric Ladies: Vintage TV: Sunday 8th March: 6pm
Toyah’s Electric Ladies: Vintage TV: Tuesday 10th March: 8pm
New! The princess of punk shines the light on those iconic female artists through the years who have inspired and made their own mark.

Punk legend Toyah to tour UK with King Crimson drummer Bill Rieflin

Toyah & The Humans embark on a UK Tour of six intimate concert dates this April in Uckfield, Gloucester, London, Southampton, Swansea and Chatham.

The Humans’ third album ‘Strange Tales, recorded in Pearl Jam’s studio, is available digitally now and will be available exclusively on CD at the six UK tour dates. The band is the brainchild of renowned singer, actress and household name Toyah Willcox and brings together three lifetimes of musical experience, experimentation and craftsmanship.

• Continue reading at Metal Express Radio.

The original and best ‘Quadrophenia Night’ returns to the Artrix in Bromsgrove giving fans of this British film and the music of the 1960’s another opportunity to re-live the culturally significant period in post-war British history which gave rise to an awakening in the psyche of teenagers and was responsible for much of the music that came to be known as ‘The British Invasion”

This production will feature an opportunity to see the classic Franc Roddam film on the big screen in a seated theatre followed by a live performance from The Quikbeats with the evening closed by the sensational Who tribute “The Whoo”.

• Continue reading/further info at the Facebook Event page.

Tickets are on sale for all six dates of The Humans forthcoming UK Tour, Telling Strange Tales. Playing Uckfield, Gloucester, Southampton, Swansea, London and Chatham between 11th and 19th April. View more info/ticket links by clicking below.

Fri 6th Mar, 11.00pm – The Vintage TV Sessions
Must-see shows on the Vintage TV calendar, these live sessions offer all the excitement and atmosphere of a gig in your own home. So, sit back and enjoy two songs each, recorded at The Bedford in Balham, from indie rockers The Struts, punk princess Toyah Willcox and her band, singer songwriters Josephine and Judie Tzuke, of ‘Stay With Me ‘Til Dawn’ fame , and 80s icon Nik Kershaw. Veteran musician, broadcaster and campaigner Tom Robinson is your esteemed host.

Sun 8th Mar, 6.00pm – Toyah’s Electric Ladies
The princess of punk shines a light on those iconic female artists who have electrified the music scene in their own unique way. In this new show, Toyah pays respect not only to her 80s contemporaries but also to the legendary ladies whose spark and spirit has inspired through the decades. Flick the switch for full illumination!

• Continue reading at Vintage TV.

• Twitter: A rare photo of Toyah & Steve Strange at Derek Jarman’s Tempest party 1980 was tweeted by Toyah last Friday – View here…

• Wales Online: Steve Strange and me, by the friend who knew him for 40 years: “I found a warehouse that was owned by Toyah Willcox in Battersea and we rented it out for a warehouse party,” said Chris. “I had a snake charmer, a burlesque show, blue films from the ’50s going backwards on the ceiling, and it was a huge success” – Continue reading…

• Northampton Herald & Post: Rick Astley, Hot Chocolate, Bucks Fizz stars and Toyah in line-up at Northampton Franklin’s Gardens 80s concert – Continue reading…

• Monocle 24: The Stack: Still available to download – A music magazine special with the Tony Herrington, editor-in-chief of ‘The Wire’ and music journalist Andrew Mueller. Plus Toyah Willcox shares her experience as one of the 1980s most featured front-cover musicians – Play/Download/Share here…

FM: 4Music: Tuesday 3rd March: 10.40pm
System Addict. Jane dares Dom to quit drinking, he challenges her to stop smoking and Lyndsay is set the task of finding a girlfriend. Including guest appearances by the Toyah Willcox and the Wombats, who perform My Circuitboard City. Comedy, starring Chris O’Dowd, Kevin Bishop and Nina Sosanya.

Dirty Sexy Funny: Olivia Lee: Comedy Central Extra: Tuesday 10th March: 3.20am
Dirty Sexy Funny: Olivia Lee: Comedy Central Extra: Friday 13th March: 3.30am
Dirty Sexy Funny: Olivia Lee: Comedy Central Extra: Monday 16th March: 3.25am
Olivia Lee stars in this hidden camera sketch show. Deaf Bubba makes a mess of things at the marina, Door Bitch takes a punt and Elaine Caine meets Toyah Willcox.

Dexter Brown is the world’s foremost painter of motor sports. He explains to Matthew Wilcox what drives him – and how a charity exhibition to be held at Bonhams has kept him on track.

… It was in this spirit that he launched himself in a new direction in 1978, when he found himself captivated by the energy of performers such as Toyah Willcox, Debbie Harry and Suzi Quatro at the fabled Electric Ballroom in Camden. As Willcox reminisced in a recent interview, “He used to come to the live shows and paint, he’d be on the side of the stage and quickly sketching away in pastels. The drawings were astonishing. The energy that comes out of his work…”

The collaboration proved so fruitful that Willcox asked Brown to design her album covers and even her stage costume for her tour in the winter of 1981. A subsequent exhibition of Brown’s pop portraits made an impression on the executives of London’s Capital Radio, who owned the Duke of York theatre. For five years he was the artist-in-residence at the theatre, sitting in on plays and in dressing rooms, and given the task of portraying actors such as Al Pacino, Glenda Jackson and Billy Connolly.

• Continue reading at Bonhams.

Toyah plays live two nights in a row in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire later this year, as reported by Ma Simpsons.

Toyah: Friday 18th + Saturday 19th September 2015

Toyah that vivacious singer from the 70s/80s is out on tour and every bit as good as before and looking fantastic. Exclusive to Stonehaven Town Hall for 2 Nights only (only dates north of Edinburgh in 2015)

Friday 18th and Saturday 19th of September 2015. Support from our very own Leighann Esslemont and Band

• Continue reading at Ma Simpsons. Further details of the gig at toyahwillcox.com.

A new article on the episode of Shoestring, “Find The Lady”, in which Toyah had a significant role, by Memorable TV.

Shoestring: Find The Lady (BBC-1 2 Dec 1979 with Toyah Willcox)

In Find the Lady singer Toola asks Eddie to help her former bass player Gary “Mole” Molecombe who is convinced that his girlfriend Chrissie has been murdered by Toola’s manager Kenrick. Kenrick is quite the nasty piece of work but there seems to be no real evidence to support Moles claims of murder especially as a local photographer provides evidence of Chrissie being alive and well. But then Mole himself dies of an apparent overdose…

UK / BBC One / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast 2 December 1979
Writer: Philip Martin / Production Design: Spencer Chapman / Director: Marek Kanievska
Series: Shoestring / Season 1 Episode 9

• Continue reading at Memorable TV. View their previous feature on, another 20th Century programme which also included Toyah, Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde.

The Vintage TV Sessions: Vintage TV: Friday 27th February: 11pm
Bringing you all the atmosphere, excitement and intimacy of a live gig for your viewing pleasure are our Vintage TV Sessions. And we are very proud to present, from the brilliant Bedford pub in Balham, five more awe-inspiring acts performing two songs each. Taking the stage are singer songwriters Leddra Chapman and Newton Faulkner, Gabrielle of ‘Dreams’ fame, northern indie collective The Jar Family and our dear friend, the late glam rocker Alvin Stardust. Our own Toyah Willcox is your host.

The Vintage TV Sessions: Vintage TV: Friday 6th March: 11pm
Five great acts sing two songs apiece at our Vintage TV Sessions: indie rockers The Struts, punk princess Toyah Willcox, singers Judie Tzuke and Josephine, and Nik Kershaw.

• Visit the Vintage TV schedules here. (Photo 3 © Vintage TV/Roger Goodgroves)

Big Country and Toyah Willcox perform at the Kick Up The Eighties night at the Pavilion Theatre, performing all their hits from back in the day, along with DJs playing classic eighties tunes, a night not to be missed for any 80s music fan.

The colourful, dynamic and unique Toyah Willcox brings her full band to performing a lively and exhilarating set. Toyah delivers a dose of high energy in every gig, including the iconic hit singles It’s A Mystery, I Want To Be Free and Thunder In The Mountains.

• Continue reading at Worthing Theatres.

Toyah, along with Altered Images, Rick Astley and many more, plays Here and Now Northampton, taking place at The Saints Stadium, Northampton Rugby Football Club on Spring Bank Holiday Monday 25th May.

• Tickets went on sale on Thursday, and are available to buy here.

Toyah plays Eastbourne Bandstand on 14th August: Toyah is very much looking forward to performing at Eastbourne Bandstand for the first time ever in 2015! This charismatic, outspoken and much love musician will be performing a 1.5 hour live concert which promises a selection of music that will span her career and include her hits ‘It’s A Mystery’, ‘Brave New World’ and ‘I Want To Be Free’. Don’t miss your chance to see this legend live at Eastbourne’s iconic Bandstand.

• Continue reading/buy tickets at eastbournebandstand.co.uk.

Rewind Scotland returns to Scone Palace, Perth in July. Toyah plays the festival on its final day, Sunday 26th July.

• Visit Toyah’s page at the Rewind Festival website. Buy tickets at Ticketline.

Choccywoccydoodah: Watch: Friday 6th March: 7.30pm
Choccywoccydoodah: Watch: Monday 9th March: 1.30pm
Show Business. Another morsel from the ultimate chocolate shop. Tom and Christine make their live TV debut on Sunday Brunch, and Dave creates a chocolate replica of Toyah.

A previously unreleased acoustic version of Toyah’s exuberant 1982 hit single Be Proud Be Loud (Be Heard) is currently available to listen to at toyahwillcox.com.

You can also check out Toyah’s full live gigs schedule for 2015, which includes the Acoustic, Up Close & Personal Tour, Toyah and The Humans Telling Stange Tales UK Tour plus a variety of full band concerts and festival appearances.

Thanks to the Acoustic… gigs there is a renewed interest in The Acoustic Album, Toyah’s 1996 re-working of a selection of previous recordings, including Blue Meanings, Angels & Demons, The Vow and Moonlight Dancing. The album has been made available again recently with new artwork, and it is also available digitally. Visit the album’s dedicated page at Toyah’s Official website.

“The acoustic gigs have been so successful that I really need to consider doing another acoustic album.” said Toyah in an interview with The Argus last year. It would be interesting to hear which songs would make The Acoustic Album Two.

• Browse Toyah’s Official Gigs page. The Acoustic Album is available at iTunes.

Tickets are on sale for the Here and Now concert at Burghley House, Stamford.

80’s Greatest Hits Show at Burghley House: 7th June 2015

Live Promotions bring the 80’s Here and Now Greatest Hits Show to concert at Burghley House on the 7th June 2015.

The nostalgic line-up features Bananarama (Hits include Cruel Summer and Venus), Midge Ure (Lead singer of Ultravox, famous for Vienna), Toyah (It’s A Mystery and I Want To Be Free), Odyssey (Use It Up and Wear It Out & Going Back To My Roots), and Curiosity Killed The Cat (Singles include Misfit and Down To Earth).

• Further info, and links to buy tickets, at Live Promotions.

Toyah Willcox and The Humans Hit The Road on 2015 UK Tour

Toyah Willcox & The Humans is a transatlantic contemporary three piece rock band, which comprises Toyah Willcox, Bill Rieflin of REM fame and Chris Wong. They are embarking upon a UK tour of six intimate concert dates to promote their album, Strange Tales.

The band is the brainchild of renowned singer, actress and household name Toyah Wilcox and brings together three lifetimes of musical experience, experimentation and craftsmanship. She needs very little introduction having been a household name since the early 80s.

… They will be aided and abetted in these live concerts by returning guest Igor Abuladze and for this tour by Tim Rose. Alongside Wong, Tim Rose has played in Toyah’s live touring band since 2005. The tour will see the first UK live performances of material from 2014’s Strange Tales album which was met with much praise from fans old and new. Get In Your Car and Amnesia have already become firm favourites.

• Continue reading at UK Music Reviews.

It’s a mystery solved: Singer Toyah’s swing-ing time in Shropshire

It’s a mystery – why was Toyah Willcox sitting on a swing in Shropshire?

The diminutive pop star from the 1980s, still packing out concert venues today, sprang a very special surprise for guests at a wedding in the county by performing for the bride and groom.

But no-one was more surprised than Toyah herself when she came across the swing in a hotel bedroom.

She was so taken aback she tweeted a photo of the red padded swing to her 8,000 followers on Twitter.

She sent fans a cryptic message asking them to guess where she was. Toyah had travelled to the region from Cardiff where she had performed to thousands of fans on Saturday night.

And despite a lifetime in the music industry, the “pocket rocket” admitted to being surprised herself when she walked into her hotel room – to find a swing hanging from the ceiling.

• Continue reading at the Shropshire Star.