Toyah’s tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Changeling and Warrior Rock reached its finale at Concorde 2 on Saturday evening.
It was also brilliantly odd as our very own Choccywoccydoodah had their film crew present. Nigel Glockler, one of Toyah’s former drummers, introduced Toyah on stage, presenting her with a typically extravagant cake to celebrate the anniversary.
It was clear throughout that Toyah has a fantastic set of adoring fans. It’s not hard to see why either, with her infectious energy embracing the whole crowd.
• Continue reading at The Argus.
Canterbury’s Christmas lights will be switched on in St George’s Street on Thursday, November 15 at 5.30pm.
Herne Bay’s switch-on will be on Friday, November 16, in Mortimer Street, starting at 4pm with the lights going on at 5pm.
Whitstable’s event is on Saturday, November 17, starting with a parade from the harbour to the library at 4.45pm, followed by the switch-on at 6pm. Stars from the Marlowe Theatre pantomime Sleeping Beauty will be flicking the switch at all three events.
• Continue reading at Whitstable People.
A review of last night’s Birmingham Ballroom gig, by David Lumb at the Express & Star.
Review: Toyah Willcox, The Ballroom, Birmingham
It’s more than 30 years since Toyah Willcox launched her solo career – but anyone who thought the Birmingham singer was done and dusted has reason to think again after a headbanging performance in her home city last night.
Dozens left the warmth of their homes on a cold and wet Wednesday evening to see an intimate gig at The Ballroom. Taking to the stage in a black Chinese-style dress with an ornate headdress and boots, she kicked off the show with Good Morning Universe, before moving on to Castaways, Blue Meaning, a song she said was inspired by Tolkien and the Black Country.
• Continue reading at the Express & Star.
Pop star Gareth Gates and former punk singer Toyah Willcox headline the Marlowe Theatre’s pantomime Sleeping Beauty.
Gareth will play Prince Charming to leading lady Faye Brooks who played Elle in the UK tour of Legally Blonde, while Toyah takes up the role of the Wicked Fairy. They will be joined by Katrina Bryan, Nina in CBeebies children’s series Nina and the Neurons, and Margate-born comedian Lloyd Hollett who has supported Jim Davidson on his UK tour.
• Continue reading at This is Kent.
A new Toyah interview from the Dorset Echo.
Three decades after diminutive singer Toyah burst on to the mainstream with her crazy hair, post-punk outfits and strong, often mysterious, songs, she is back. Tonight Toyah is appearing at Bridport’s Electric Palace to perform all of her 1982 album The Changeling as well as songs from the live Warrior Rock album from the same year.
Changeling is credited as the album that gave the Goth movement a kick-start and although Goth music and style of dress is unfortunately much derided these days, Toyah is a staunch defender of the black nail varnish and velvet brigade.
“I won’t hear anything against Goths. A few years ago I toured with a musical called Vampires Rock and it had a massive support from people into Gothic music.”
• Continue reading at the Dorset Echo.
There’s a trio of great photos of Toyah at Giving To George’s.
Television presenter, singer and actress Toyah Willcox officially opened a new children’s art exhibition at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, on Friday, 19th October.
The exhibition, which is sponsored by Bedford Hill Gallery in Battersea, is a collection of paintings donated by children in Kathmandu, Nepal.
• Continue reading at Giving To George’s.
Toyah tweeted about this exhibition on Friday.
Toyah Willcox opens Tooting art exhibition created by Nepalese children
Pop legend Toyah Willcox officially opened a new art exhibition showcasing the work of Nepalese children.
Images are being displayed in The Bedford Hill Galley, located in St George’s Hospital Nicholls Ward, with the singer joined by Nepalese ambassador Dr Suresh Chalise to celebrate the opening on Friday. The artwork forms part of the Children’s Art for Children project, a charity which helps schoolchildren create art for disadvantaged children.
• Continue reading at Your Local Guardian.
Toyah Willcox brings her autumn 2012 tour The Changeling Resurrection to Bridport’s Electric Palace on Friday, October 26.
The gig celebrates the 30th anniversary of Toyah’s chart-topping albums, The Changeling, and Warrior Rock and comes hot on the heels of her acclaimed spring tour, which generated five-star reviews and sold-out shows.
With new images created especially for the tour and material not performed in 30 years, it is a true celebration and re-interpretation of one of Toyah’s finest albums, alongside many of her most well-known hit singles.
• Continue reading at the Dorset Echo.
A great photo of Toyah is included at The Tatler website in a gallery of images from last week’s Nicholas Coleridge book launch. Another of Toyah is also featured at The Media Eye as the lead photo in their coverage of the event, in the Around Town section.
Punk princess Toyah Willcox has named Croome Park, near Pershore, as her favourite place to take a walk. The actress and singer named the historic landscape park as her top spot as the National Trust launched a nationwide search to discover the country’s 10 Greatest British Walks.
• Continue reading at the Cotswold Journal.
Pop Star Toyah Willcox: How I stood up to BBC gropers in the Eighties
Toyah Willcox, the pop star, says she stood up to the men sexually assaulting girls at the BBC in the Eighties.
As the list of women who claim to have been subjected to unwelcome male attention at the BBC seems to lengthen daily, Toyah Willcox insists that she at least made it clear that she was having none of it.
“You either had to stand up to it or play into it,” the feisty 54-year-old pop star informs me at Annabel’s nightclub, where Nicholas Coleridge was launching his novel The Adventuress. “I’m feisty, I always have been, even then. I was deemed quite old at 20, among men, and that probably saved my bacon, in a way. You knew, in any case, that there were certain men that you shouldn’t be alone with.”
• Continue reading at The Telegraph.
It’s her fans’ favourite record – but it’s taken 30 years for Toyah Wilcox to face up to playing The Changeling album again.
The popular singer, actress and TV personality released the album in 1982, and it captured a dark, stressful time in her life. It’s only now that she feels she can perform it.
“The important thing about The Changeling and now is that I feel I can face it again,” she says ahead of her show at Classic Grand in Glasgow on Friday.
• Continue reading at the Evening Times (free registration required).
A new article on Toyah, from the Birmingham Mail.
Brummie punk singer Toyah Willcox fronts new walking campaign – after hip replacement surgery
Brummie chart star Toyah Willcox is stepping out to front a major walking festival – with her new hip. Fifty-four year-old Toyah, who shot to fame in the eighties with hits including It’s A Mystery, is the ‘face’ of the National Trust’s Great British Walk this autumn.
• Continue reading at the Birmingham Mail and/or The Sunday Mercury.
Toyah is another 80s performer who is celebrating an anniversary of another album. She continues a twelve date tour in the UK today celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Changeling and Warrior Rock. This is part two of a sold-out tour which she began last April. By all accounts she really looks the part and has even resurrected some of her old costumes from her performing days in the 80s.
Toyah and her husband Robert Fripp will feature in a new documentary series called Love and Marriage on BBC4 on a date still to be confirmed in late September.
• Continue reading at All 80s Radio.
Celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of The Changeling, Toyah and her full band perform a selection of songs from the album alongside classic material as heard on the Warrior Rock live album.
The Changeling Resurrection II is a treat for Toyah diehards, 1980s fans and goth/rock music lovers. With brand new images created especially for the tour and material not performed in thirty years, this is a true celebration and reinterpretation of one of Toyah’s finest albums, alongside hit singles.
Toyah’s special tour opens right here at Middlesbrough Theatre. Be the first to see it!
A couple of Toyah/’Echo Beach’ related press clippings, from yesterday’s ‘Evening Standard’ and today’s ‘Daily Mail’ newspapers. Even though it was included in the article I’ve blocked out Toyah’s address. (Thanks to Lärwi for both of these)
Punk princess Toyah Willcox has named Croome Park, near Pershore, as her favourite place to walk.
The actress and singer, who lives in Pershore, named the historic landscape park as her top spot as its owners the National Trust launched a nationwide search to discover the country’s Ten Greatest British Walks.
She said: “Croome Park is just absolutely stunning. It’s designed yet you think you’re in natural countryside. You look out across these gentle rolling hills and you see wonderful monuments, follies and statues and the lake in particular is really lovely.”
• Continue reading at Worcester News.
Toyah Willcox: The reason I became a make up artist.
In the studio today playing one of my favourite 80′s playlists from my iPod, a Toyah Willcox track came on. I was describing to my model (who hadn’t even been born in Toyah’s heyday) the very first time I saw Toyah perform on TV as a girl. I was blown away by her New Romantic/Punk image, her trademark flame red hair and her incredible make up. This was the first time I consciously thought, “I want to be a make up artist!”.
• Continue reading at The Truth About Beauty.
Pershore celebrity Toyah Willcox is urging people in the Vale to explore the sights of the countryside by taking part in the Great British Walk.
The actress, singer and writer wants as many people to join National Trust’s new campaign which aims to celebrate the British countryside in the autumn season. In order to celebrate this, more than 3,000 walking events, activities and trails at National Trust places across Britain including the Vale’s own Croome Court near Pershore.
And the former I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here star urged people to view the surroundings at Croome. “Croome Park is just absolutely stunning,” she said. “It’s designed yet you think you’re in natural countryside. You look out across these gentle rolling hills and you see wonderful monuments, follies and statues and the lake in particular is really lovely. You truly feel you own the whole park while you walk around it.”
• Continue reading at the Evesham Observer.
The darling of punk rock Toyah Willcox and her guitar virtuoso husband Robert Fripp are lending their support to a village fete.
Mr Fripp, of prog-rockers King Crimson fame and who plucked the solo on David Bowie’s Heroes, is opening the Wick fete at 1.30pm on Saturday.
There will be live music from Wyred Up, entertainment by Tyro the Magician, a fun dog show, and lots more at the village near Pershore. Admission is free for children and a £1 for adults, ad no charge for car parking. For details visit wickfete.org.uk
• Continue reading at the Worcester News.
An excellent new article on Quadrophenia, and the Blu-ray release, from The New York Times.
“Quadrophenia,” which the Criterion Collection is reissuing in a restored version on Blu-ray and DVD on Tuesday, concerns little more than a skinny 18-year-old West Londoner trying to track down some blues (speed) for one of these seaside gatherings turned tabloid-covered riots. But the emotions that “Quadrophenia” elicits and its role in converting troubled souls to smartly dressed members of a movement (one with its own chant: “We are the Mods! We are the Mods!”) can be as forceful as the waves that open both the film and the Who’s 1973 double album.
• Continue reading at The New York Times.
