Dreamscape | The Toyah Willcox Fansite

Soundstock Festival tickets on sale tomorrow at launch party

Tickets are set to go on sale for a new family-friendly festival coming to Roxwell next year.

Soundstock Festival, a two-day music and comedy event, will be held on the weekend of May 2 and 3 and could see thousands of people through the gate. Music acts confirmed so far include former X Factor contestants Next of Kin as well as Toyah Willcox, Ultimate Eagles, the Johnny Cash Roadshow and the Simon and Garfunkel Story.

• Continue reading at the Chelmsford Weekly News.

What did you do last Thursday? Watch TV? Eat pizza? Read a magazine? Take a bath?

That’s my usual Thursday regimen, too – yeah, I’m wild – but last Thursday was a little bit different. I’d been invited to take part in a Twitter Q&A with the legend that is Toyah Willcox in association with the team behind The Sun’s online bingo show! You can’t get more modern than that when it comes to interviewing a celebrity, can you?

• Continue reading at More Than Toast. (Photo © More Than Toast)

Toyah Willcox and her band are set to perform at Yardbirds Rock Club in Grimsby

Princess of Punk Toyah Willcox is heading to Grimsby’s Yardbirds Rock Club next year. The star will perform at the Church Street venue on Friday, March 6.

Toyah and her band had a number of hits in the eighties including Four From Toyah, Thunder In The Mountain and I Want To Be Free before she embarked on a solo career. She has had thirteen top 40 singles, recorded twenty albums, written two books and has also presented TV programmes such as Watchdog and Songs Of Praise.

Toyah has also appeared in a number of stage productions including the rock musical Vampires Rock which was performed at Grimsby Auditorium in 2009.

Tickets for the gig – which is part of her band’s greatest hits tour – go on sale this weekend priced at £18.

• Continue reading at the Grimsby Telegraph.

Hazel O’Connor recalls the famous Rainbow Theatre gig with The Stranglers from 1980 in a new interview at The Birmingham Press.

You’re touring with Hugh Cornwell now; he’s seen as a distinguished elder statesman of the music business which is a long way removed from the time you played a gig for him when he was in prison for drug possession.

“That was a night. The Stranglers were due to play the Rainbow but with Hugh in prison a few of us replaced him as singer, or rather tried to, because Hugh’s irreplaceable. Myself an Toyah did couple of songs, that was when I did Hanging Around for the first time. We were singing backing vocals on Peaches with Ian Dury singing. Toyah was dancing round the stage as she always does while Ian was scrabbling around on the floor trying to pick his hat up which she’d knocked off. Robert Smith was playing guitar as well, in his pre-make up days. I wish someone could find footage of it.

“It wasn’t so good for Hugh though – he was in prison for something he might not have been charged for now. The authorities were making an example of someone famous.”

• Continue reading at The Birmingham Press.

Forever a member of the exclusive Mononymous Club, Toyah is perhaps best known to most today as a TV personality appearing on quiz shows and umpteen celebrity reality programmes.

To others she will always be remembered as the once wild woman of British mainstream pop who in the early Eighties broke the mould for female singers who previously only sang songs about unrequited love. Starring roles in iconic films Quadrophenia and Jubilee cemented Toyah’s reputation as being bold and rebellious further still.

Gigging consistently since the beginning of her career the interestingly titled latest tour, Songs From The Intergalactic Ranch House, named after her original fan club, is a retrospective celebration spanning the 1979 release of her debut album, Sheep Farming in Barnet through to her last solo studio album In The Court Of The Crimson Queen.

• Continue reading at the Bristol Post.

For 15 years, Jonathan Sale interviewed the famous about their school years for a column in ‘The Independent’. Here’s what he discovered about how triumph or failure, diligence or dissent, shaped their working lives.

… Dragon James Caan flogged leather jackets from his father’s shop during break – and added a mark-up that his dad didn’t know about. Toyah Willcox was one of several who thought that their first day at school was a one-off; they didn’t realise that you went back the next day, and the day after and…

• Continue reading at The Independent.

Today, 35 years ago, the movie Quadrophenia was released.

…and did you know…? “Monkey” was Toyah Willcox who you might know as TOYAH from the New Wave scene in the 80s. She is still quite a beauty.

The opening scene at the beach and the scooter ride… “Can you see the real me?”

• Continue reading at This Is Indie.

She may be 56 and stand a mere 5ft 1in tall, but there’s no denying that actress, singer and TV presenter Toyah Willcox remains a powerhouse of energy on stage. Last Friday, her 1979 track Danced proved just that… and no doubt left more than a few of us in the audience with sore ankles the next day, having stupidly joined in with the bouncing. We are old enough to know better.

Actually, it’s hard to believe that is 32 years since I went to my first Toyah gig – The 1982 Changeling Tour at the Playhouse, for those who may have been there. Back then she easily sold out the 3000 seater… and I had dyed orange hair. Friday was a more intimate affair and all the better for it… I’ll pass on a hair update.

• Continue reading at the Edinburgh Evening News.

Toyah Willcox is to bring her ‘Up Close and Personal’ show to Lowdham Village Hall as part of the 2015 Lowdham Book Festival.

In this ‘Up Close and Personal’ show Toyah will perform an acoustic set of her much-loved hit singles and classic songs, accompanied by two acoustic guitarists. A big screen presentation will show clips of the many films and videos in which Toyah has participated and she will talk about these – and the various actors and musicians she has worked with over the years – in a relaxed and informal way. Tickets on sale now, priced £20.

• Continue reading at Warthog Promotions.

Toyah’s autumn tour, Songs From The Intergalactic Ranchouse kicked off in Birmingham on 18 October and so far has wowed Leeds, Glasgow and Manchester.

The tour is treating fans to a reworked set list which spans Toyah’s whole career from Sheep Farming In Barnet through to Crimson Queen. For the first time ever, selections from Minx are included with a fantastic rendition of Soul Passing Through Soul which can you hear a special audio preview of on this page or at Toyah’s official Soundcloud.

• Continue reading at toyahwillcox.com.

Russell Brand’s revolution, an X Factor star and an 1980s punk princess – here’s three things to do in West Yorkshire tonight

They say variety is the spice of life – and we’ve certainly got that for you today! If you’re looking for a night out, there’s plenty going on in West Yorkshire this evening – from a comedian predicting revolution to the return of an 80s punk princess.

Relive the eighties with Toyah — That’s right, 80s superstar Toyah is back — and she’s performing live in Leeds tonight. Her Songs from the Intergalactic Ranch House tour, her fourth venture this year, is calling at Leeds University Union tonight, features hits from the Safari catalogue through to Crimson Queen.

• Continue reading at The Huddersfield Daily Examiner.

Pershore appeared on prime time TV this weekend as Through the Keyhole explored the home of town resident, Toyah Willcox. The 80s singer and voice of the Telly Tubbies lives in the centre of the town in a large Georgian home. She became the latest victim of funny man Keith Lemon as he explored her large home, which she shares with husband Robert Fripp.

He originally filmed the segment back in May, when he was spotted in Pershore by some locals.

• Continue reading at Worcester News.

A great new interview with Toyah, published yesterday, by The Argus.

Hannah Collisson talks to singer Toyah Willcox about her music and more

To say Toyah is busy is an understatement. She is touring the UK with her acoustic and electric shows, writing two new albums, and has just finished work on a feature film.

Somewhere in between she finds time for meet and greets, learning three musical instruments, and interacting with her fans online.

The singer and actress rose to fame in the 1970s and 1980s with an appearance in the film Quadrophenia, and hits including It’s A Mystery and I Want To Be Free, and she has not stopped since.

Over the course of 30 years, she has released 20 albums, had 13 top 40 hits, and appeared widely in film, theatre and television. Recent musical appearances for Toyah include a sell-out acoustic date at Shoreham’s Ropetackle Arts Centre earlier this month, and she will be in Brighton for a full-on electric show, Songs From The Intergalactic Ranch House, at The Haunt on November 7.

“At the moment, this year is blowing 35 years away,” reflects Toyah. “It has been incredible; we are getting standing ovations every night…”

• Continue reading at The Argus.

I have been coming to Evesham Dental Health Team (EDHT) for at least ten years. The team is friendly and helpful, and more importantly local and available. I am horrified at the prices that London charge for treatment and I disagree that you have to pay a premium just for being in London. Also I know people that have to book six months ahead and for me that would be a nightmare.

I think it is really important to have good teeth. I don’t think people realise how often your teeth are looked at. I realised during photo shoots that my teeth no longer translated the way I felt about them. I had lost a lot of enamel from natural wear and tear, as well as through a very healthy lifestyle of lots of fruit and vegetables – which I found ironic as you wouldn’t expect that to happen. As a result of this loss of enamel, my teeth felt very rough and I hated food sticking to them.

• Continue reading at EDHT.

Fresh from making waves by diving on ITV1’s Splash, household name, pop icon, TV presenter and stage and screen actress Toyah Willcox, who lists Calamity Jane, Jubilee, and Quadrophenia among her credits, comes to Trading Boundaries at Sheffield Park for an intimate, lively gig.

Promoters say “this is a unique chance to experience Toyah up close and personal”.

Billed as a lively unplugged/storyteller-style gig, it will feature Toyah performing an acoustic set of hit singles such as It’s A Mystery and other classic songs, alongside recollections and anecdotes from her colourful 35-year career.

• Continue reading at the East Grinstead Courier.

It is often said that small is beautiful and Toyah Willcox provided indisputable evidence.

In the court of the Crimson Queen, aka the Stroud Subscription Rooms, the diminutive, one-time punk princess demonstrated why after 35 years she still deservedly draws the crowds.

Opening appropriately with Good Morning, Universe, she cruised triumphantly through her greatest hits, strikingly revamped as a frothy acoustic set.

Instead of a full band, the entire performance was powered by accomplished guitarists Chris Wong from her current outfit The Humans, and Colin Hinds, formerly of China Crisis, thrashing out any number of solid chords and sizzling breaks.

• Continue reading at the Gloucestershire Echo.

Eighties punk star Toyah Willcox comes to Stroud for the first time next week for a gig at the Sub Rooms.

The 56-year-old singer, actress and reality TV star – who hit the charts in 1981 with It’s A Mystery and I Want To Be Free and appeared in The Who-inspired 1979 film Quadrophenia – will be at the central Stroud venue on September 5, to give an unplugged storyteller’s style gig.

Toyah will perform an acoustic set of her hit singles, alongside recalling stories from her colourful, thirty-five year career. She told the SNJ: “My shows aren’t self-indulgent, I want to share them with the audience, so it will be very up-beat.”

• Continue reading at the Stroud News & Journal.

Your chance to get up close and personal with punk icon Toyah

Punk rock icon Toyah Willcox is set for a stunning return to the stage with an intimate Totnes concert featuring all her smash hits on Saturday night. Expect to hear songs such as It’s A Mystery, Echo Beach, Thunder In The Mountains, and I Want To Be Free.

The South Devon Arts Centre gig is a unique chance to see Toyah up close and personal with her full band.

This intimate show will include all her much-loved hit singles and classic songs, alongside recalling stories from her colourful 35-year career.

• Continue reading at the Torquay Herald Express. See also: Gloucester Citizen: Don’t miss events of the weekend: Moreton show, Toyah Willcox and Gloucester History Festival – Continue reading…

Video: Was Toyah’s the very first ever Ice Bucket Challenge?

Punk rock icon Toyah Willcox, who plays an intimate Totnes concert featuring all her smash hits on Saturday night, may have been the original Ice Bucket Challenge celebrity. This clip from 30 years ago shows Toyah taking part in the Bucket of Water Supporters Club challenge as part of the popular TV programme Tiswas.

• Continue reading/watch the clip at the Torquay Herald Express.

Punk Princess, TV presenter and actress Toyah Willcox will be performing and sharing tales of her 35 year career at Stroud’s Subscription Rooms on Friday.

Her show, Toyah, Acoustic, Up Close and Personal, sees her perform with a full band, and share stories with her audience.

Fresh from her diving on the latest series of ITV’s Splash, pop icon and actress Toyah presents this lively unplugged gig.

The show will include all her much loved hit singles and classic songs, alongside recalling stories from her colourful career.

• Continue reading at Stroud Life.

Holly Johnson, Rick Astley, Marc Almond, Toyah, Jimmy Somerville – the line-up at the Rewind North music festival was like a big bag of pic n’ mix from the 80s sweetie shop, with everything from sugary sweet pop to edgy rock. Staged successfully in Scotland and the south of England for several years, it was the time the nostalgic franchise had been brought to the region.

• Continue reading at The Sentinel. (Photo © The Sentinel/Simon J. Newbury)