Greatest 80s Songs: Channel 5: Thursday 18th January: 3am
1986. Series 1, episode 7. Tony Blackburn narrates this study of 1986 pop hits, with series regulars Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini and Cheryl Baker joined by Sam Fox. Peter Gabriel’s Sledgehammer, Sinitta’s So Macho, Falco’s Rock Me Amadeus, and the Bangles’ Walk Like an Egyptian are some of the tracks being discussed.
A short message from the inimitable Toyah Willcox – Willcox and Robert Fripp about how their performance on ‘Relax’ came to be. Listen to the track here. Click below for the video clip.
Greatest 80s Songs: Channel 5: Wednesday 17th January: 3.20am
1988. Series 1, episode 9. Jenny Powell narrates this look back at 1988, when Bros, Belinda Carlisle and Bomb the Bass were riding high in the charts, and Kylie Minogue went from soap icon to pop star. Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini, Cheryl Baker and Sam Fox add their thoughts on the year when Fairground Attraction had a Perfect hit, the Hollies were back in the charts, and Yazz and the Plastic Population breathed new life into 1980 song The Only Way Is Up.
Visit Toyah & Robert’s Shop for merchandise, t-shirts, personalised art and much more. Order a personalised Valentine’s gift before February 5th in the UK to receive in time for the 14th.
Greatest 80s Songs: Channel 5: Tuesday 16th January: 3am
1987. Series 1, episode 8. Simon Bates narrates this look back at 1987, when George Michael, Madonna, and Pet Shop Boys stormed the Top 40. Series regulars Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini and Jenny Powell are joined by Carol Decker, who reflects on the era that her band, T’Pau, finally made their breakthrough. It was also a time when Rick Astley, the Firm, Mel & Kim, and Bruce Willis had their share of chart success.
Toyah’s first blog of 2024 is available to read at toyahwillcox.com.
On this day in music history… In 1955 Bill Haley and his Comets, entered the UK chart for the first time with “Rock Around The Clock”, who will be rocking up to be our No.1 this week? In this week’s show, our artists include The Rolling Stones, Engelbert Humperdinck, Owen Paul, Carla Olson, Deniece Pearson, Allan Clarke & Laurence Juber, The Korgis, The Jive Aces, Classix Nouveaux & Phil Hendriks. And from the Heritage New Year charts of 2021, 2022 & 2023 Toyah, Paul Weller & Bruce Foxton & Russell Hastings. (• Browse previous Sensational news… )
The first Toyah At Home episode of 2024 airs tomorrow morning at You Tube and Facebook:
Toyah welcomes you into the New Year with an update from Pershore where the town is flooded. There’s some concert footage too to kick off the year in the best way with music.
Premieres 11am, Saturday 6 Jan 2024. (Image © Toyah Willcox)
Toyah’s classic track Neon Womb – the opening song from Sheep Farming In Barnet (EP and LP) is included on a new 5CD compilation, Moving Away From The Pulsebeat (Post-Punk Britain 1977-1981), released on Cherry Red Records on 29th March.
Neon Womb is track 8 on CD2. The collection also includes: The Human League, Joy Division, Siouxsie & The Banshees, The Clash, Teardrop Explodes, The Cure, Adam & The Ants, XTC and many more.
105 tracks charting the British Post-Punk explosion 1978-1981
A compendium of familiar names, underground oddities and freshly excavated historical nuggets
Featuring band-by-band biographies and detailed sleevenotes by Mark Paytrees
• Further info, full tracklist and order link at Cherry Red. NB. Browse our “Toyah on Compilations” news archive.
It’s January 5th! It’s the last day of Christmas!! Perfect time to look back at one of the most festive TV highlights of December.
The Great British Sewing Bee – Celebrity Christmas Special – aired on Thursday 21st December on BBC1, and was watched by over 3 million viewers on the night, as well as many more on catch up/on demand services later during Christmas week and beyond. The programme was a highlight for many over the Christmas season, with Toyah being crowned the winner of the festive special and she even sang a song to close the programme.
• Browse Dreamscape’s The Great British Sewing Bee, Christmas 2023, news archive; watch a short clip of Toyah winning, courtesy of The Independent; see the ratings; and you can watch/rewatch the programme – available until December 2024 – at BBC iPlayer.
NB: Revisit all of Dreamscape’s Christmas 2023 content, including our Christmas Countdown. Right, I have a couple of hours of taking down my tree and decorations to look forward to tonight… Merry January! (Photos © BBC)
• Saturday Morning Song: Are You Gonna Go My Way (Toyah & Robert Live At Isle Of Wight Festival) – Watch… • Toyah & Robert: UpBeat Moments – Watch… • Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – Lick It Up – Watch… (Image © Toyah Willcox)
Press for Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch. This week covering Lick It Up by KISS. (Image © Toyah Willcox)
• NME: Watch Robert Fripp and Toyah kick off new year by covering KISS’ ‘Lick It Up’: The special edition of ‘Sunday Lunch’ saw the King Crimson guitarist dressed as Gene Simmons – Continue…
• Consequence: Robert Fripp and Toyah Ring in the New Year with KISS’ “Lick It Up”: The couple’s latest “Sunday Lunch” performance is a tongue of fun – Continue…
• Classic Rock/Louder: Robert Fripp and Toyah have covered Lick It Up by Kiss and we may never sleep again: In which King Crimson leader Robert Fripp appears in Kiss make-up while sporting a grotesque, oversized tongue. Happy New Year everyone! – Continue…
• Brooklyn Vegan: Watch Toyah & Robert cover KISS “Lick It Up” – Continue…
• Brave Words: Robert Fripp & Toyah “Lick It Up” With A Classic KISS Cover – Continue…
• Yahoo: Robert Fripp and Toyah Ring in the New Year with KISS’ “Lick It Up” – Continue…
• TikTok: Lick It Up – Continue…
• DGM Live: Toyah & Robert’s Last Weekend Of 2023 – Continue…
After issues with database connectivity through December, Christmas and the first few days of 2024, I’m happy to report that we have managed to sort the problems. Dreamscape should be working properly again – Thanks for your patience.
On 10th March, this year, Dreamscape will enter it’s 25th year online – which I’m astounded by, the time has passed so quickly and a lot has happened, but I’m particularly proud that Dreamscape has always been an active website, with constant updates. This site was started in the internet’s infancy and predominantly as a way of supporting Toyah’s career when no one else seemed to be. Over the years it’s been a delight to see Toyah’s popularity grow and grow online to the point where a fan website isn’t actually necessary, but I continue with Dreamscape, essentially because I love doing this as a hobby and celebration of my all-time favourite music artist!, but also we still welcome a lot of visitors each and every day, so we haven’t yet become irrelevant. The week leading up to Christmas, Dreamscape – despite technical issues – had well over 8000 page views!
NB. Apologies the site has been a bit wobbly since the beginning of December. It’s an ongoing issue with the database and I’ve been working on sorting this and also have some changes planned – yes, I know I said that this time last year…
All the very best for 2024!
From Toyah & Robert’s home to yours, wishing everyone a wonderful new year :-)
Toyah performing It’s A Mystery at Symphony Hall, Birmingham on New Year’s Eve – BBC Radio 2’s Sounds Of The 80s The Live Tour.
From the kitchen of Toyah & Robert to your home. The duo wish you a very Merry Christmas 2023.
Inheritance Tracks: BBC Radio 4 Extra: Tuesday 9th January: 8.50pm
Toyah Willcox. Singer Toyah Willcox has inherited ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ and wants to pass on the track by Bjork, ‘Human Behaviour’.
• Saturday Morning Song: It’s A Mystery (Toyah & Robert Live At Isle Of Wight Festival) – Watch… • Toyah & Robert: UpBeat Moments – The Fire – Watch… • Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – Merry Xmas Everybody – Watch… (Image © Toyah Willcox)
Press for Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch. This week covering the Slade festive classic, Merry Xmas Everybody. (Image © Toyah Willcox)
• Brooklyn Vegan: Watch Toyah & Robert cover Slade’s “Merry Xmas Everybody” – Continue…
• Far Out: Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp share cover of Slade’s ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’ – Continue…
• TikTok: Merry Xmas Everybody – Continue…
• DGM Live: Merry Xmas Everybody – Continue…
Carol Decker’s 30 Rock Chicks!: NOW 80s: Saturday 6th January: 10pm
T’Pau’s Carol Decker brings a bit of Heart and Soul to a countdown of ’80s ladies who like to rock! With Joan Jett, Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks and Pat Benatar. (as well as Toyah via the Thunder In The Mountains video)
NB. Apologies to anyone who has been experiencing connection issues with Dreamscape recently. I’ll be looking into the database error in the New Year. Refreshing the url will help you connect at the moment!
