Dreamscape – Toyah Willcox Fansite

80’s legends invade the stage at Rhyl Pavilion

The 1980s, is synonymous with big hair and big aspirations.

It was also undoubtedly one of the best decades for music. Not only did it give birth to the music video but also left us with an eclectic mix of styles and genre’s many of which can still be heard in today’s charts.

Such is the fondness for this power dressing period and its place in our relatively recent memories, 37 years on artists from the day are still singing to scores of fans up and down the country at festivals or gigs. An example of this nostalgia package – The 80’s Invasion Tour – was at Rhyl’s Pavilion Theatre on Thursday.

… A quick turn around enabled the next act Toyah to capatalise on the feel good mood. The diminutive diva, who looked remarkable for someone set to celebrate her 59th birthday, launched into her set of defiant early 80s anthems including ‘ It’s a Mystery’ and ‘I want to be free’ – enjoyed by scores of fist pumping audience members. A strong contender surely for national treasure Ms Willcox was followed by international recording artist Martika…

• Continue reading at News North Wales.

Checklist: 10 things not to miss in Scotland this week

7. 80s Invasion Tour The Edinburgh Playhouse, March 5 – Music fans will be able to take a nostalgia trip in the capital on Sunday. Eighties favourites, including Paul Young, Martika and Liverpool duo China Crisis, will perform during the show. Punk pop star Toyah Willcox completes this year’s line-up.

Tickets cost £38.65. Visit http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse/

• Continue reading at The Herald.

Punk Princess Toyah Willcox is all set to roll back the years at the Playhouse on Sunday when she leads the 80’s Invasion Tour to the Capital, in the company of Paul Young, Martika and China Crisis.

The four iconic artists from the decade that fashion forgot will be performing on the same bill together for the first time, so expect a raft of familiar hits.

Toyah has had a incredibly diverse career over the years with major hit records and many stage and screen roles to her credit, but it was in the 80s that she became one of Britain’s biggest household names.

• Continue reading at the Edinburgh Evening News.

Toyah Willcox, Paul Young, Martika and China Crisis kick off the 80’s Invasion Tour tonight.

A pop icon and star of stage and screen will perform an acoustic set at Newark’s RAFA Club.

Toyah Willcox, who is also a TV presenter, will bring her Acoustic, Up Close and Personal show to Newark on Friday, June 30.

The pop star is known for hits such as It’s A Mystery and Thunder In The Mountains and acting roles in Calamity Jane, Cabaret, Peter Pan, Jubilee and Quadophenia. Her show will be a chance to experience the star in an intimate setting where music and stories will take centre stage. Toyah will perform an unplugged set of her hits and classic songs, alongside recalling stories from her colourful 35 year career.

• Continue reading at the Newark Advertiser.

Toyah announces full band show at King George’s Hall, Blackburn

Toyah has announced a date in Blackburn.

The singer, actress and presenter will be performing with her full electric band at King George’s Hall on Saturday, June 17.

She has recently been touring an acoustic show in which she has shared stories from her remarkable career but this summer date will be a full-on band show packed with hits.

• Continue reading at the Lancashire Telegraph.

Toyah, Paul Young and Martika are guesting on Steve Wright in the Afternoon on BBC Radio 2 today. The show begins at 2pm and airs for three hours.

Sharon Horgan & Rob Delaney, Toyah, Paul Young & Martika, Morven Christie: It’s a Big Show with Morven Christie discussing The Replacement, Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney talking about series 3 of Catastrophe, plus Toyah, Paul Young and Martika are in ahead of their ’80s Invasion Tour. And there’s a load of Factoids, the Non-Stop Oldies and the latest entertainment and lifestyle news.

• Listen online live at the BBC Radio 2 website or post-airing at BBC iPlayer.

• BeniConnect: Toyah Willcox, one of the UK’s most iconic names will perform June 2nd in Calpe: Toyah Willcox, award winning rock legend will perform in concert with support from Chill Factor and Leah Kankowski and her dancers at the AR Diamante Beach Spa Hotel, Calpe – Continue reading… 

• Native Monster: Dr Who and Secret Diary of a Call Girl star Billie Piper to meet fans at Birmingham Comic Con: Other stars set to appear include Toyah Willcox, John Coppinger, Hugh Fraser and Pauline Moran – Continue reading…

• Staffordshire Newsletter: Musicians go back to the 80s with tour at The Victoria Hall: Lovers of 1980s music will be in for a treat when musicians from the era perform at The Victoria Hall in Stoke as part of the 80s Invasion Tour. The tour features solo artist Paul Young, pop punk princess Toyah, Liverpool guitar duo China Crisis, and – flying in especially from the USA – Martika – Continue reading…

• Belper News: Duffield music festival lines up star names for 2017: The organiser of an Amber Valley music festival is hoping big name acts will bring in even bigger crowds this summer, as he looks to build on the event’s early success. Simon said: “I’m really thrilled to say that we’ve got The Blockheads and Toyah headlining the first two nights – Continue reading…

• Petersfield Messenger: 80s Icons at The Anvil: Due to overwhelming public demand, the 80s Invasion tour is back at The Anvil, Basingstoke – Continue reading…

Fantastic shot of Toyah onstage at Evesham Arts Centre earlier this month, for an Acoustic, Up Close & Personal date. Please click on the photo to view a larger version. (Photos © Angus Turner)

Toyah – the singer and actress best known for her early 1980s top ten hits It’s A Mystery and I Want To Be Free – will be one of the major headlining acts at this year’s Exmouth Festival.

She will be giving a free concert with her band at the Imperial Recreation Ground on Sunday, May 28.

News that Toyah Willcox would be featured in this year’s festival line-up was confirmed by Carla Hiley, Exmouth’s arts manager. It follows last year’s successful show by 1980s band Bad Manners, who drew around 5,000 people to the ‘Rec Ground.

“I had It’s A Mystery in my head – that’s probably the main reason!” said Carla, explaining why she had booked Toyah. “Secondly, I think that – like Bad Manners – she’s fun, she’s credible, I like her new stuff and her old stuff is classic.”

This year’s festival will run from Friday, May 26 to Saturday, June 3, following last year’s pattern of four days on the ‘Rec Ground, week-day shows in the Manor Gardens, finishing with West Country Traditions on The Strand.

“People seemed to enjoy it,” said Carla. “The feedback was that they liked the new venue, so I went with that again this year. Toyah is not the only one that I’m pleased about. There’s a great line-up, so it’s looking good.”

Toyah’s agent said the singer was ‘very much looking forward to the show.’

• Continue reading at the Exmouth Journal.

Toyah Willcox transports Warrington music fans back to the 80s

Warrington was transported back in time to the age of the 80’s with fans and aficionados of the era descending on the Parr Hall for a fantastic night of music and dance at a Loving the 80s gig.

Headlined by the iconic Toyah Willcox there was something for most tastes as the acts rolled on through the night.

…Ending the show with a fabulous finale was Toyah Willcox, the actress, presenter and singing star. Wowing the crowd and turning back the clock with her new look, energy and superb show she went through a frenzied set of classic eighties numbers including all of her own hits like Thunder in the Mountains, I want to be free, Brave new world and of course the unforgettable It’s a mystery.

As a grand finale to the night Toyah invited onstage the whole cast from the evenings entertainment and in a touching tribute to George Michael they danced and sang along to Wham’s hit Club Tropicana.

• Continue reading at Warrington Worldwide. (Photo © Warrington Worldwide)

Toyah featured in another slightly odd article by the Daily Mail yesterday. A great selection of photos, though, from Saturday’s Loving The 80s gig in Warrington.

Toyah Willcox, 58, puts on an eye-popping display as she slips into figure-flaunting one-piece for performance

Her punk sartorial displays became iconic throughout the eighties.

Although working a more demure style three decades on, singer Toyah Willcox still managed to pay tribute to her racy ensembles of yesteryear as she stepped out in a very revealing blue body on Saturday. The 58-year-old songstress was sure to flaunt her ample assets in the figure-flaunting number as she performed her classic Loving The 80’s at Parr Hall in Warrington.

The jersey cobalt blue one-piece hinted at her undergarments as she wowed the crowds with her vocal talents while showcasing her petite frame in a waist cinching navy midi skirt. Not aware of her ample display, she continued her quirky style as she accessorised her stage attire with head-turning gold cuffs that worked their way up her forearms, while wrapping a matching futuristic collar that rested above her bust. Adding height to her diminutive frame, she slipped on a pair of black heeled boots alongside her black denier tights.

Despite being known for her ever changing ‘do in the eighties, Toyah left her glossy locks blonde for the evening’s proceedings as her trademark fringe accentuated her youthful complexion. Toyah completed her beauty look with a dusting of bronzer across her cheeks while she worked a dramatic smokey eye for the electrifying performance. The Anthem hitmaker’s appearance comes after she revealed the unorthdox secret to keeping her 30 year marriage alive, admitting that she and her husband have separate houses.

• Continue reading at the Daily Mail. (Photos © Jules Annan/Barcroft Media)

Four iconic artists from the 1980s will spin back the clock bringing the era of big hair, big shoulder pads and big noise back to life.

The new 80s Invasion line-up features Paul Young – one of the most popular solo artists from the era, legendary pop punk princess Toyah, Liverpool’s finest guitar duo China Crisis and for the first time performing in the UK in over 25 years, flying in especially from the USA, the gorgeously talented Martika!

The tour takes in 15 dates starting at Leicester’s De Montfort Hall and culminating on March 19 at Liverpool’s Philharmonic. Two days before that (March 17) it arrives at Huddersfield Town Hall.

• Continue reading at the Halifax Courier. Catch up on all our 80s Invasion Tour 2017 news.

THREE DAY IRLAM LIVE FESTIVAL WITH LEGEND, SOUL AND RETRO SOUNDS

The line-up for this year’s Irlam Live has been announced with three themed days of top sounds starring huge names, headlined by Junior Marvin’s Wailers, Alexander O’Neal and Jason Donovan, plus Toyah, Owen Paul, K-Klass, Dodgy, Odyssey and more.

Over 8,000 people attended the event at Prince’s Park, Irlam, last year and organisers are expecting an even bigger turnout for this year’s festival which runs on June 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

• Continue reading at Salford Star.

An internationally renowned singer will perform in her home county of Worcestershire as part of a special ‘up close and personal’ gig.

Pershore’s very own Toyah Willcox will perform an unplugged set of all her favourite hits at Evesham Arts Centre on Saturday, February 11.

The show, ‘Toyah: Up Close And Personal’, will see the acclaimed guitarist recall stories from her colourful 35-year career, from filming pop videos on horseback at 5am to acting alongside Katharine Hepburn and Laurence Olivier. She promises to take the audience on a journey, through her meticulous and melodic acoustic versions of ‘It’s A Mystery’, ‘Thunder In The Mountains’, ‘I Want To Be Free’ and ‘Good Morning Universe’.

• Continue reading at the Evesham Observer. Stay updated on all of Toyah’s upcoming confirmed live dates at toyahwillcox.com.

Rewind have announced details on their festivals for 2017. Toyah will play at Rewind North on Saturday 5th August.

• Broadway World: Rewind 2017 The World’s Biggest 80s Festival Announces 3 UK Festival Line-Ups: Tickets for all three festivals will go on sale at 9am on Friday January 27th from the official website rewindfestival.com – Continue reading…

• Stereoboard: Rewind The ’80s Music Festival Returns In 2017: Rewind revisits Scone Palace, Perth in Scotland between July 21 and 23, Capesthorne Hall, Cheshire for the fourth year between August 4 and 6, and Temple Island Meadows in Henley-on-Thames for its ninth year between August 18 and 20 – Continue reading…

• Rewind North 2017: Visit the official festival website for full line-up, more info and ticket booking links (from Friday), here…

• Noble PR: Rewind The 80s Music Festival, the world’s first and biggest 80s music festival, is back for 2017 at Capesthorne Hall, Macclesfield for the fourth year with a fantastic line up featuring the biggest acts of the 1980’s – Continue reading…

• Heart: Win Tickets To Rewind Festival: We have one pair of weekend tickets up for grabs to the world’s biggest 80s music festival at Capesthorne Hall, Cheshire in August – More details…

• Toyah @ Twitter: “I’ll be performing live at @rewindfestival North on Sat 5 Aug! Line-up announced for the festival at http://www.rewindfestival.com” – Continue reading…

From Toyah to Duzza – the stars heading to the Longlands in 2017

She went down a storm and ate pie and peas at a Guisborough cafe last time she was here. Now 1980s pop icon Toyah is heading our way again – one of a raft of music and football stars scheduled to play Middlesbrough’s Longlands Club.

The “It’s A Mystery” star turned heads last July when she popped in for lunch at Guisborough’s Pie in the Sky, ahead of a gig at the Marton Road venue. And after a massive night last year, the punk princess has confirmed a return visit to The Longlands on June 10.

• Continue reading at Gazette Live.

This month our Content Editor, Charlie O’Neill had the chance to catch up with Toyah Willcox ahead of the ‘80’s Invasion Tour’.

Firstly, Happy New Year. Did you have a nice Christmas? What did you get up to over the festive period?

TOYAH: Thank you and the same to you! I had the best Christmas ever, it was absolutely lovely. We were both home from a year of touring. And, we just had family time and for me that’s what Christmas always will be. It was very gentle and perfect. It’s the only time of year, where no matter what happens, whatever distractions, and you always make room for family. Its catch up time.

Do you have any New Years resolutions set or any goals you are aiming to achieve this year?

TOYAH: My New Years resolutions usually go into about 3 pages of dialogue with myself! Basically, I just want to keep developing and moving forward. I don’t want to just rest on my laurels. So, my new years resolutions are always linked to creative writing, painting, developing ideas and examining ideas, brining them into fruition. My New Years resolutions are always boringly predictable, but they are for me, nagging myself to hit my goals.

• Continue reading the interview at Cornfield Publishing.

• Absolute Radio: Win 80s Invasion Tour tickets: The 80s Invasion Tour is back in Spring 2017 with a brilliant line-up of 80s artists, and we’ve got tickets to be won. 80s stars on this year’s line-up include Paul Young, Martika, Toyah and China Crisis – Continue reading/Comp details here…

• This is Our Town Guildford: Interview: Martika Bringing the Party to 80’s Invasion Tour in Guildford: We caught up with 80’s pop star Martika, known for hits such as Toy Soldiers and the Prince-penned track Love…Thy Will Be Done, ahead of her appearance on the “80’s Invasion Tour”. The tour lands at G Live in Guildford on 13 March – Continue reading…

• Mirror: Paul Young reveals he loves touring and still gets knickers thrown at him onstage – The eighties singer, 60, on fighting the middle-age spread, not being ready for grandkids, and money worries – Continue reading…

• Cornfield Publishing: An Interview with Martika: Take a look at our latest interview where we had the chance to catch up with Martika, ahead of the ‘80’s Invasion’ tour, which kicks off in March – Continue reading…

• More 80s Invasion 2017: See all the dates and ticket booking links at toyahwillcox.com… Browse all of Dreamscape’s 80s Invasion tour news here…

The New Year brings a chance to see the Eighties new wave pop goddess, Toyah, unplugged and talkative at the Evesham Arts Centre.

As well as performing her hits, and other classic songs, all unplugged, Toyah will recall stories from her colourful and varied career, which spans 35 years. Toyah: Up Close and Personal will come to the Evesham Arts Centre on Saturday, February 11, from 7.30pm.

• Continue reading at the Evesham Journal. Browse all of Toyah’s confirmed live dates for 2017 at toyahwillcox.com.

Toyah takes Acoustic, Up Close & Personal into a fourth year with more live dates, through 2017, confirmed recently by the Breaking Through newsletter.

11 Feb: Evesham Arts Centre
1 Apr: Acapela Studio, Cardiff
26 May: Fairytykes Arts Centre, Hornchurch
23 Jun: Redditch Palace Theatre, Worcestershire
28 Oct: St. Edwards Church, Stow on the Wold

Toyah’s acoustic show has entertained numerous audiences with a mixture of songs and conversation from her varied career since premiering in 2014. Receiving great reviews and taking Toyah to hundreds of venues over the past four years.

• View more details on Acoustic, Up Close & Personal including dates, venues and links to book tickets, and browse all of Toyah’s confirmed live dates for 2017, at The Official Gigs page.