Archive

Archive for the ‘Live 2019’ Category

Christmas 2022 Countdown: Day 19: A Retro Winter Tour

December 23rd, 2022

Hey, welcome to the penultimate Christmas Countdown entry for 2022. It’s Christmas Eve Eve… Always one of the most exciting days of the year!

Christmas 2019, Toyah rounded off yet another incredibly busy year of live concerts by playing the three-date Let’s Rock – The Retro Winter Tour. A festive extravaganza which played three arenas; Motorpoint in Nottingham (29th November), The SSE Hydro in Glasgow (11th December) and Wembley Arena in London (13th December).

The tour also featured Tony Hadley, Marc Almond, ABC, Jimmy Somerville, Nik Kershaw, Boney M, Altered Images, Toyah, Sonia, Annabella Lwin, Peter Coyle, Dr & The Medics.

Here’s the Let’s Rock Winter promo image and photos of Toyah ready to hit the stage at Motorpoint, Nottingham and the Crimson Queen with Clare Grogan at Glasgow’s Hydro. (Photos © Toyah Willcox/Clare Grogan)

Scene Sussex: Gig Report: Toyah Holds Court in Brighton!

December 22nd, 2019

Missed this great gig review, published in November by Scene Sussex. Here it is now:

Toyah holds court…
Tonight, Saturday 2 November 2019 saw Toyah visit Brighton to play in a new Brighton venue, Chalk. The weather had been awful all day with the Brighton Breeze racking up to 50 mph during the day. Toyah said she had been blown over as she got out of the car after a horrendous drive to Brighton. Those of us outside waiting for the doors to open watched the skies nervously as the rain today really meant business. Thankfully we got in still dry, others were not quite so lucky.

Toyah: The Set
Toyah took a leisurely stroll onto the stage, looking out into the fairly full venue. She was given an enthusiastically warm welcome from the Brighton crowd in this new Brighton venue. And with a huge smile on her face we were off. The first song was a new one and, all things considered, was pretty appropriate considering the weather outside, and couldn’t have been better chosen if you tried, Dancing In The Hurricane. Brilliant track from the new album In The Court Of The Crimson Queen, which is also the title of this tour. Toyahs band is made up of a guitarist, bass player, drums and keyboards. Dancing In The Hurricane had a great rock feel to it and gave the band a chance to warm it up.

• Continue reading at Scene Sussex.

Christmas 2019: Day 13: Let’s Rock – The Retro Winter

December 13th, 2019

Christmas 2019, Toyah rounded off an incredibly busy year of live concerts by playing the three-date Let’s Rock – The Retro Winter Tour. A festive extravaganza which played three arenas; Motorpoint in Nottingham (29th November), The SSE Hydro in Glasgow (11th December) and Wembley Arena in London (tonight, 13th December).

The tour also featured Tony Hadley, Marc Almond, ABC, Jimmy Somerville, Nik Kershaw, Boney M, Altered Images, Toyah, Sonia, Annabella Lwin, Peter Coyle, Dr & The Medics.

Here’s the Let’s Rock Winter promo image and photos of Toyah ready to hit the stage at Motorpoint, Nottingham and the Crimson Queen with Clare Grogan at Glasgow’s Hydro. (Photos © Toyah Willcox/Clare Grogan)

Let’s Rock Winter 2019: It’s A Mystery

December 4th, 2019

Toyah, performing a crowd-pleasing version of It’s A Mystery at Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham last Friday night at the first concert of the Let’s Rock Winter three-date tour. There are another two dates to be played later this month. See I Want To Be Free performed here. (Thanks to Darren)

Let’s Rock Winter also features Tony Hadley, Marc Almond, Jimmy Somerville, Nik Kershaw, Boney M, Clare Grogan of Altered Images, Then Jericho, Sonia, Annabella Lwin of Bow Wow Wow, Peter Coyle of The Lotus Eaters and Dr & The Medics.

Let’s Rock Winter: Toyah @ Motorpoint Arena Nottingham

November 29th, 2019

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)

Leicester Mercury: Toyah Interview – ‘My Voice is Fantastic’

November 17th, 2019

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.

Brighton & Hove News: Crimson Queen Tour Review

November 6th, 2019

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.

Crimson Queen Tour: Nigel Glockler at Brighton Gig!

November 3rd, 2019

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)

Toyah Live 2019: Crimson Queen Tour @ Brighton

November 2nd, 2019

Toyah plays the final band gig of the year tonight. It’s also a Crimson Queen Tour date. There are two further tour dates in January. Toyah said: “What a brilliant year. Thank u everyone xxx“.

Quadrophenia 40: Toyah at Skamouth – Q&A + PA

October 29th, 2019

The Quadrophenia celebrations continue! Toyah will take part in the Skamouth Weekender Event on Saturday 23rd November doing a Q&A and a few songs (playback). On stage at 10am. Tickets are available by clicking below. See the official tweet about this here.

Crimson Queen Tour: Photos: Southampton & Bristol

October 27th, 2019

Toyah played two further dates of the Crimson Queen Tour this weekend, in Manchester on Friday and Nottingham last night. There’s just one more Crimson Queen gig this year, in Brighton on Saturday 2nd November, with two final dates in January.

Here’s a selection of shots from last weekend’s Southampton and Bristol gigs. The set list includes songs from Sheep Farming in Barnet, in celebration of it’s 40th Anniversary this year. Click below to view more photos at Dreamscape’s Toyah Gallery. (Photos © Ian Davis)

Toyah Live 2019: Crimson Queen Tour – We Are

October 23rd, 2019

Toyah performing, the awesome, We Are – from Anthem – on the Crimson Queen Tour at The Fleece in Bristol on Saturday night. Thanks to John.

Toyah Live 2019: Crimson Queen Tour

October 18th, 2019

Toyah’s Crimson Queen Tour officially premieres this weekend, with two dates. The first is at The Brook, Southampton tomorrow night and the second at The Fleece, Bristol on Sunday. The tour continues next weekend, with dates at Night People, Manchester on Friday 25th and Rescue Rooms, Nottingham on Saturday 26th October.

Toyah Live 2019: Acoustic @ Helmsley Arts Centre

October 11th, 2019

Tonight Toyah plays, a penultimate of 2019, Acoustic, Up Close & Personal date at Helmsley Arts Centre – The gig is Sold Out. The final Acoustic… date of the year is in Birmingham on 23rd November. Info and ticket link available on that here, and the first Acoustic… date of 2020 is in Havant, Hampshire on 17th January. Details here.

Live 2019: Tours & Gigs Still To Come!

October 11th, 2019

Toyah has two tours and a selection of other gigs and dates to play before 2020 arrives! There’s the Crimson Queen Tour, Let’s Rock Winter arena tour, two Acoustic Up Close & Personal dates, an 80s Christmas Party and more… Click below to check out details on all of these, plus numerous confirmed gigs for next year, including the Electric Ladies UK Tour with Toyah and Hazel O’Connor.

Toyah Live 2019/20: Crimson Queen Tour

October 6th, 2019

Toyah’s Crimson Queen Tour officially premieres in Southampton later this month. Alongside material from the 2019 re-imagining of Crimson Queen, classic singles and album cuts, Toyah has today revealed there will be inclusions in the set to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Sheep Farming In Barnet.

Here is the flyer for the tour with all the confirmed dates. Click below for links to buy tickets.

Toyah Talks Sheep Farming in Barnet/Pete Bush

October 6th, 2019

I can’t wait for the AUTUMN TOUR. We have some surprises for fans from way back in the late 70s! After all it’s the 40th anniversary of SHEEP FARMING IN BARNET. This album continues to surprise me every time I revisit it. The synth sounds are a joy, the songs are highly original and fresh today.

LAST GOODBYE is going into the set plus a few songs that haven’t been performed since 1980. Pete Bush, one of the co-writers on Sheep Farming came to St. Alban Arena last week and we dedicated Neon Womb and Danced to him.

Express & Star: A Chance To Dance

September 23rd, 2019

A chance to dance as Party In The Park returns to Himley Hall – in pictures

It was a double Party in the Park at Himley Hall over the weekend with the clock turned back to the 1970s and 80s.

Saturday’s event saw the likes of Toyah Willcox and Neville Staple take to the stage as hundreds of people donned their best retro gear and danced the day and night away.

Then yesterday it was the turn of the mods with a Quadrophenia-themed party, attended by Toyah and other stars of the 1979 cult classic including Phil Daniels and Leslie Ash, who are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the movie.

There were hundreds of tents and camper-vans set-up at the historic South Staffordshire estate, that sits on the border of Dudley and Wolverhampton, as people gathered for a jam-packed weekend of fun organised by the Dubs Collective.

• Continue reading at the Express & Star. (Photo © Express & Star)

Live 2019: Party In The Park @ Himley Hall

September 23rd, 2019

Great shot of Toyah, Neville Staples, Gary Shail and a loadsa band members at Saturday’s Party In The Park at Himley Hall in Staffordshire. Thanks to Paul. (Photo © Gary Shail)

The Crimson Queen Tour – Premieres Tonight!

September 20th, 2019

The opening date of The Crimson Queen Tour, at The Exchange in Sturminster Newton, Dorset, is just a few hours away. Tickets are close to being sold out. Grab yours, and prepare to Dance In The Hurricane, by clicking below. See Toyah’s tweet about tonight’s tour opener gig here. Check out our In The Court Of The Crimson Queen archive here.

Crimson Queen Tour: Update

September 19th, 2019

Update today from Official Toyah: Due to logistical reasons, the Birmingham and London dates of the Crimson Queen Tour have been re-scheduled to Jan 2020. All tickets remain valid for change of date. The Birmingham date has been re-located to Slade Rooms Wolverhampton. Apologies for any inconvenience.