Win one of three Family Tickets to ‘Let’s Rock the Moor 2012’.
Let’s Rock The Moor! will be returning for its 4th year on Saturday May 12 with a massive 80’s line up and plenty to do for everyone! Families Online has three sets of family tickets to giveaway for this great event in Cookham.
Go here to enter the competition. Closing date – 9am April 10th 2012.
More than a dozen pubs, clubs, bars and live venues will be celebrating Bishop’s Stortford’s vibrant music scene as part of next month’s week-long Stortfest Crawl.
In common with its bigger brothers like Glastonbury, the annual Stortford Music Festival – usually held in the grounds of St Mary’s Catholic School – is taking a break for the first time in its 14-year history.
Headlining the event will be 80s punk-pop icon Toyah Willcox, who will mark the 30th anniversary of her album The Changeling with a greatest hits set at Rhodes on May 5.
Best known for 1981 breakthrough single It’s A Mystery and accompanying album Anthem, Toyah has also enjoyed a successful acting career, with roles in films like cult Mod hit Quadrophenia. More recently, she was a guest star on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
A variety of publications, including the ‘Times & Star’, report on Toyah headlining the Workington ‘Decades’ Festival.
80s PUNK STAR TOYAH WILLCOX WILL HEADLINE WORKINGTON FESTIVAL
Singing star Toyah Wilcox will headline Workington’s Decades town centre music festival later this year.
The 1980s self-styled punk princess, best known for chart hit It’s A Mystery, will perform at the event between May 25 and 27.
Toyah’s career spans 30 years and she has had 13 top 40 singles, recorded 20 albums, presented TV programmes and appeared on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here! She recently starred in the West End rock show Vampires Rock.
The Decades festival will be based around 12 pubs and clubs on the town centre “circuit” and will celebrate music from the 1960s to the 1990s. Set up by Paul McGee, landlord of the Red House, and run by Maryport Festivals Limited, it promises a weekend of musical nostalgia.
• Read the full report, at the ‘Times & Star’ website, here.
Toyah fan, and friend of Dreamscape (and now Falling To Earth:)) Sharon Dickson, was featured in an article in the ‘Dundee Evening Telegraph’ on Tuesday 13th March.
Sharon Is The Spitting Image Of Pop Singer
From punk princess to accomplished actress, Toyah Willcox has become one of Britain’s top icons.
But fans have been forced to look twice when they’ve clocked eyes on Toyah’s double in and around Dundee.
Debenhams worker Sharon Dickson (41) is the spitting image of the popular entertainer. Sharon is more than happy being the star’s doppleganger… as she’s a massive Toyah fan.
“I’m a huge Toyah fan. I go to watch her perform every year and I’m excited about seeing her in Glasgow next month when she plays at Classic Grand.”
Sharon decided to send the Tele her photograph after her mum saw our story on Coronation Street star Sophie Webster’s lookalike. Sharon, who works in Debenhams’ perfume department, said: “My mum saw the paper and suggested I get in contact for a laugh. I’ve never intentionally tried to look like Toyah.”
• Click on the scan to view a larger version of the article. (Thanks to Sharon)
‘Vintage TV’ ran a competition at their website during March to win tickets to see Toyah’s ‘The Changeling Resurrection 2012’.
THE CHANGELING RESURRECTION – TOYAH WILLCOX TOUR!
Cult figure, household name and music legend, Toyah Willcox, is touring the UK in April with The Changeling Resurrection Tour.
Known for her exuberant, energetic live shows, filled with colour, drama and classic songs, Toyah’s highly individual visual style was a forerunner of Lady GaGa and, musically, Florence & The Machine have recently been cited as “this generation’s Toyah” (BBC Radio 6).
Vintage TV viewers are being given the chance to win a pair of tickets to any one of her six tour performances, a fantastic prize worth more than £40.
To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the question on our Competitons page. Last entries will be accepted on Friday 30th March. Winners will be announced during the week beginning 2nd April.
All these NY Ballrooms that start with “H”… The Highline Ballroom played host to The Humans ,a band fronted by 80’s U.K. icon Toyah, and this was, amazingly, her first ever U.S. performance, 30 years after her chart run in the UK and Europe began. The Humans enjoyed a raptureous response, several standing ovations and an encore, and I enjoyed a brief chat with Toyah before the show (I intercepted her on her way to the ladies room), and was thrilled to see that she is bursting with energy and fervor about what she does.
• Read the full mini article at ‘Punk Globe’ here. (Thanks to Jimi LaLumia)
Our latest favorite album, by consensus, is “Sugar Rush” by The Humans. The Humans are British – their star is singer/performer phenomenon, Toyah Willcox. Her hubby, guitar legend Robert Fripp, plays on the entire album. This is one worth buying. There are some videos on YouTube. “Sea of Size” is 1st video release:
Toyah Willcox is one of the most amazing female performers on the planet. We love her – and wish she would develop her American audience more – young American girls could use a role model like her. If you want to read a bio that will leave you feeling that you have never accomplished anything – the Toyah Willcox “Wiki.”.
Definitely THE best new album out there right now – just released.
The Humans: The Public, West Bromwich
Concert review by Lisa O’Brien
There is no doubt that Brummie singer Toyah Willcox enjoyed herself on stage during a very intimate gig in the Black Country.
About 50 people turned up to see the Kings Heath-born singer, actress and writer perform with her other bandmates from The Humans at The Public, in New Street, West Bromwich, last night as part of their Sugar Rush tour.
Promoting their new album with the same name, there was no shortage of hair swinging as the 53-year-old used the stage to her full advantage. Waving her hands around freely and wearing a black dress, overcoat and black boots, she opened the gig strongly with Sugar Rush, followed by Titanium Girl when the bass definitely kicked in.
• Read the full review at the ‘Express & Star’ website, here.
A new interview with Toyah, published today by the ‘Derby Telegraph’.
Why latest musical project’s a new high-point for Toyah
Despite a career in showbusiness spanning more than three decades, it’s a performance in New York last week that Toyah Willcox cites as her absolute highlight.
The show, on a promotional tour for her band The Humans’ second album, was capped off with a standing ovation and almost endless cheers from the adoring crowd.
“That was incredible,” says Toyah fondly. “There have been so many amazing moments in my career that I will always look back on fondly but playing in New York City and getting a standing ovation for The Humans is at the top.”
That tour of the east coast of the USA was a precursor to a trek around the UK, which sees The Humans visit The Flowerpot in Derby tomorrow night.
• Read the full interview at ‘This is Derbyshire’ here.
The Humans have been omnipresent at the ‘Time Out New York’ website over the last few days:
Live Preview: The Humans + Adrian Belew and Tony Levin: Associates of King Crimson’s Robert Fripp hold court in NYC.
Things To Do: Tuesday’s Must See Concerts: The Humans at Highline Ballroom: A veritable supergroup, the Humans are fronted by new-wave cult singer Toyah Willcox, and feature Bill Rieflin of the recently-disbanded R.E.M. However, it’s the guitar work of Robert Fripp – Willcox’s husband – that makes the greatest impression on the group’s new album Sugar Rush.
Music/Nightlife: The Humans + Kid Savant: Though the Humans are fronted by English new-wave cult singer Toyah Willcox and feature stellar work from two instrumentalists, bassist Chris Wong and multi-instrumentalist Bill Rieflin (who plays drums in R.E.M. but mostly sticks to bass here), the sound of King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp – Willcox’s husband, as it happens – is unmistakable on the group’s new sophomore album, Sugar Rush. Will Fripp make a cameo here? Don’t hold your breath, but don’t stay away on his account, either.
Catch The Humans at Highline Ballroom Tonight
The Humans are something of a supergroup, being composed of Toyah Willcox, Bill Rieflin (R.E.M.), and Chris Wong (and yes, that is Robert Fripp on the left in the photo, who contributed guitar on the record). Toyah formed the experimental rock group in 2007 after being invited to tour Estonia by the Estonian Ambassador, and now they are in the midst of their first US tour in support of their sophomore album Sugar Rush. Their music has been described as “European experimental meets West Coast American grunge with overarching avant-garde and filmic qualities,” due to their composition of Toyah’s powerful voice backed by two bassists. Their performance at Highline Ballroom tonight is for sure one worth checking out.
The Humans play the fourth, and final, date of the US ‘Sugar Rush’ tour tonight at the Highline Ballroom in NYC.
The US dates have went incredibly well: Toyah has tweeted along the way: “Portland awesome, this band really rocks. Sooo looking 4ward to more“, “The Humans at Highline Ballroom NY…..critic’s choice for best show on 27th sept” and “On route 84 to Philadelphia. Shows really good, audiences really get the concept“.
To Alec, who has travelled a long way to see The Humans and Toyah, and to Jimi, who has waited a long time to see Toyah play live in New York… Have a great time tonight!!
The Humans (featuring Toyah Willcox) with The Army of Broken Toys at Church of Boston tomorrow night!
There’s so much about Toyah Ann Willcox I never knew. I was familiar with this wild-haired, exotically dressed creature from another planet that was pretty much the norm in the 1980s, though her voice set her apart. I remember her album, The Changeling, released in 1982. It was dark, gothic and sensuous, and a staple of my musical diet at the time. But I had no idea that she was also deeply immersed in an acting career – stage plays, film and television – since the mid ‘70s. She worked with Derek Jarman on his punk film Jubilee and The Tempest, and in 1979’s Quadrophenia. She appeared with Katharine Hepburn in the made-for-television movie The Corn is Green, and in many live theatrical roles. At the same time, she fronted a few bands before embarking on a solo music career in 1985.
• View the full article at ‘The Boston Survival Guide’ website, here.
More American press coverage for The Humans.
Face the Music: Humans, Space, Nirvana: the best of all worlds: There is a lot of music on tap this week – from Brown Bird to The Humans.
The Humans are a three-piece experimental rock band made up of Toyah Willcox, Bill Rieflin and Chris Wong. The group came to be in 2007, and dig this: The Humans consist of a voice and two bass players. That’s it, though you may hear some programmed drum beats or guest guitar during the live show.
Here’s a quick anatomy lesson: Willcox is an English singer and actress who’s released 22 studio albums, written two books, and has appeared in 40 stage plays and 10 feature films. Translation: She’s a legend. Rieflin is a multi-instrumentalist whose most recent gig was as drummer for R.E.M. He’s also worked with Robyn Hitchcock, Swans, Ministry and Nine Inch Nails, just to name a few bands. Wong is a professional guitarist, bassist, arranger, orchestrator, composer and musical director. Dare I call The Humans a supergroup? If the shoe fits
The Humans. 9 p.m. Saturday. Empire Dine and Dance, 575 Congress St., Portland. $8, $10. Ages 21 and older. portlandempire.com
The recent announcement of The Humans’ UK tour dates has been reported by a number of websites, including “the longest running R.E.M. fan forum”, Murmurs.com. Gig Goer UK, Festivals For All and Glasswerk also have news reports on this.
Click above to visit The Humans Official website for details and tickets links for the US and UK gigs.
R.E.M. drummer Bill Rieflin is moonlighting as one of two bass players on the album Sugar Rush, the second offering from Toyah Willcox’s avant-garde rock trio the Humans. Willcox is a British actress, author, musician and wife to Roxy Music guitarist and prog god Robert Fripp. Sugar Rush is due to drop Sept. 27 via Seattle label the End Records. Although the group’s lineup is technically rounded out by Willcox, Rieflin, and fellow bass player Chris Wong, Fripp lends his guitar work to each of the album’s 13 tracks. Keep an eye out for more U.S. tour dates, which should be announced soon.
The End Records, the US label who just signed The Humans and will release ‘Sugar Rush’ next month, celebrate by featuring the band on their front page, along with news on the forthcoming album.
Toyah also tweeted yesterday on The Humans’ NYC date: “New York is on sale….The Humans perform Sugar Rush in entirety!“
• Visit ‘thehumansofficial.com’ here.
Marigolds, the “unsettling” short film by Stephanie Zari, has received screenings at numerous film festivals through 2010 and continuing into 2011. It was recently shown at the London Short Film Festival 2011 and Brittspotting, Berlin 2011, and will be screened at L.A. International Women’s Film Festival, 2011 next month.
The beautifully atmospheric ‘Quicksilver’ by The Humans features in Marigolds, which is now available to view online at the BBC Film Network website.
LittleWhiteLies.co.uk reviewed Marigolds at the London Short Film Festival:
Finally, the sobering effect of the ‘Family Affairs’ bill came as a perfect piece of timing on Sunday 9. The screening opened with the Freudian pastiche, Marigolds, by Stephanie Zari. Unfortunately for the rest, its originality, density and slow reveal managed to transcend the rest of the collection.
Marigolds stares at the complex sadness of an unappreciated housewife. The female lead, Susannah, captures the feel of the film single-handed; her life’s troubles etched into every line and wrinkle on her face. We see her snap off the Marigold gloves, rinse the dust from her hair and scrape on ageing mascara as she awaits her son’s arrival. When he finally does, an Oedopian undertone rears its creepy head. This deviant story, set in such a painfully normal environment, makes for one beautifully disturbing film.
Toyah And The Humans Gig In Cheltenham Raises Money
A gig by pop punk legend Toyah Willcox and The Humans at St Michael’s Church in Bishop’s Cleeve gave a much-needed cash boost to the building.
The church was packed on February 20 for the free gig which was a warm-up concert before the band kicks off their tour in March. The audience was asked to give a donation to the church fabric fund and more than £1,000 was raised on the night.
Team vicar Mike Holloway thanked the band and everyone who enjoyed the event. “The concert was great and there was a lovely atmosphere in the church,” he said. “It was nice to see it being used like that and it is always good to have live music there.
“If people went along expecting the Toyah of old, it was not that at all. The new stuff is very different.”
The cash raised will be put into a fund for future building work at St Michael’s.
“It was great people were able to enjoy the gig for free and give some money to help the church,” he said.
The Humans, which was launched in 2007, is made up of REM drummer Bill Rieflin, who plays bass guitar, Chris Wong and Toyah’s husband Robert Fripp.
The ‘Financial Times’ have reviewed Wednesday’s gig at The Scala;
The Humans, Scala, London
By Ludovic Hunter-Tilney
The Humans are an art-rock band featuring two bassists – one, confusingly, is REM’s drummer Bill Rieflin – and Fripp on guitar. Willcox, in a black PVC top, a memento of her 1970s punk roots, led the line with expressive vocals, twirling dances and stylised stage movements: Stevie Nicks meets Brechtian cabaret.
The twin bass players, occasionally complemented by programmed beats, played sinewy, rumbling rhythms, a kind of twisted funk, with Fripp contributing a range of guitar effects, from gnarly riffs and a pounding cover of Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” to delightfully subtle chimes.
On this basis the work of Mrs Robert Fripp and Mr Toyah Willcox, as Willcox introduced herself and her husband, deserves a far wider audience.
Read the full review at ‘FT.com/Arts’ here.
‘SwimathonPete’s Blog’ offers an interesting perspective of the Bishops Cleeve warm-up show in his Toyah Toyah Toyah post. Read that here. (Thanks to Paul Lomas)
A brief mention for The Humans in the ‘London Evening Standard’ review of Thursday’s Haiti Fundraiser;
Haiti Earthquake Fundraiser @ The Roundhouse: Egos landing for Haiti, By Rick Pearson
Last night, a conveyer belt of stars took part in a five-hour musical marathon to raise money for Haiti. Egos were left at the door as all profits from the show at the Roundhouse went to ActionAid and Médecins Sans Frontières, in a bid to help the charities rebuild the country following the earthquake.
Of the early acts, The Humans were the strangest, Bombay Bicycle Club the hippest and The Futureheads the most entertaining — particularly during a rabble-rousing rendition of Kate Bush’s Hounds of Love.
Read the full review here.
Meanwhile, today’s ‘Mirror’ features a news story on Toyah – the interesting aspect is that it is a report on/reaction to a review of The Humans’ set at the Haiti Fundraiser by ‘The Times’ newspaper;
The Mirror: Toyah’s Shock & Bore | The Mirror/Celebs: Toyah Gets Fans Seeing Red And Not Because Of Her Hair This Time: Singer Toyah Willcox’s hair may have changed from electric pink to stylish blonde but the ex-punk still has some people seeing red.
Her performance at a fundraiser for the Haiti quake was panned by The Times critic Pete Paphides.
He described it as: “A succession of songs so uniformly awful that the applause they elicited stemmed from the realisation that mere silence would heighten the sense of communal embarrassment.”
Clearly the 51-year old singer still has the power to shock.
