Dreamscape | The Toyah Willcox Fansite

Toyah Willcox confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2024 line-up

The news was announced on Vernon Kay’s BBC Radio 2 show.

Toyah Willcox has been confirmed to be joining the Strictly Come Dancing 2024 line-up.

Willcox was the fourth contestant to be announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2024, following news that opera singer Wynne Evans, comedian Chris McCausland and JLS singer JB Gill would be competing in this year’s edition.

She rose to the fame as the frontwoman of new wave band Toyah, where her most popular singles included It’s a Mystery, Thunder in the Mountains and I Want to Be Free.

Willcox has performed as a solo artist since her 1985 album Minx, with her latest release being 2021’s Posh Pop, which was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic and reached number one on the UK’s Independent Albums Chart.

After Toyah and Wynne were announced on Vernon Kay’s BBC Radio 2 show this morning, Dr Punam Krishnan was also revealed to be joining the line-up, making the TV doctor the fifth celebrity to be confirmed.

• Continue reading at Radio Times.

• Toyah At Home: Bonus Announcement Episode (Minx Deluxe) – Watch… • Toyah & Robert: UpBeat Moments – Watch… • Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – Search and Destroy – Watch…

Press for Toyah & Robert’s new Sunday Lunch. This week covering Iggy Pop & The Stooges. (Image © Toyah Willcox)

• NME: Watch Robert Fripp and Toyah Willcox cover Iggy & the Stooges’ ‘Search & Destroy’: Their latest Sunday Lunch instalment sees Willcox licking the face of the King Crimson guitarist – Continue…

• Classic Rock/Louder: Things are hotting up in the Worcestershire kitchen of Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp: Robert Fripp and Toyah’s Sunday Lunch returns with a blast through the Stooges’ Search And Destroy – Continue…

• Brooklyn Vegan: Watch Toyah & Robert cover The Stooges “Search and Destroy” – Continue…

• Consequence: Robert Fripp and Toyah Lick Their Way Through Iggy & The Stooges “Search and Destroy”: The frisky couple offer a salivating rendition of the proto-punk classic – Continue…

• Turn Up The Volume: Toyah & Robert Search And Destroy The Stooges In Their Kitchen – Continue…

• Yahoo!: Robert Fripp and Toyah Lick Their Way Through Iggy & The Stooges “Search and Destroy” – Continue…

• Brave Words: Robert Fripp & Toyah Perform Iggy & The Stooges “Search & Destroy” In Ongoing Sunday Lunch Series – Continue…

• Y!Entertainment/Louder: Things are hotting up in the Worcestershire kitchen of Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp – Continue…

• TikTok: Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch, Search & Destroy! – Continue…

• DGM Live: Toyah & Robert’s Weekend – Continue…

Toyah gave viewers of yesterday’s, bonus “Minx Announcement”, Toyah At Home a brief teaser that the Love Is The Law remastered deluxe editions will be announced later this year, and revealed “There’s so many things going on with this release, it’s fantastic!” Watch the episode by clicking below. (Image © Toyah Willcox)

Surprise! Toyah is back with a bonus Toyah At Home announcing a new release especially for you. Tune in at 11am for all of the details on a new 2CD Deluxe Edition. (Image © Toyah Willcox)

Two Expanded Toyah Platters Shine A Fresh Light On Her Past

Last years have seen a long-overdue reappraisal of Toyah‘s career: unjustifiably perceived by too many a listener as a quintessential ’80s artiste, Ms. Willcox proved again and again that she still is a queen of intelligent quirk-rock – and not only by cavorting with her husband in the acclaimed YouTube series but also by curating a series of her classic albums’ reissues, which are to be prolonged soon by two more titles. Appearing on May 17th is an expanded version of “Warrior Rock: Toyah On Tour” from 1982, and on July 26th a deluxe version of “Minx” from 1985.

• Continue reading at Let It Rock.

This past weekend Toyah revisited her 1985 album, Minx, by exploring the second single released from it, Soul Passing Through Soul, in Toyah At Home. Here’s a bit of SPTS fan art I put together a few years ago… (While on the subject of Minx – Space Between The Sounds is still one of my favourite Toyah songs. Yup, it’s over-the-top but bloody brilliant!!)

I was sad to hear of the death of Janice Long at Christmas. I grew up through the 80s listening to her BBC Radio 1 show and loving many of the bands she championed, most notably The Smiths, Echo & The Bunnymen and Manic Street Preachers.

Janice was the first woman to have her own daily show on Radio 1. A true pioneer!

I also often listened to Janice’s BBC Radio 2 show much later on. She was a true music fan and a great broadcaster who was so good at her job it felt like you were listening to a friend. She will be greatly missed.

Janice interviewed Toyah many times, most memorably in 1983 (Love Is The Law era), 1985 (Minx era), and 2021 (Posh Pop era). Toyah also guested twice on The Janice Long Review Show on Vintage TV in 2012, and was one of the artists Janice chose on her NOW 80’s show Janice Long’s Ladies With Attitude.

Toyah paid tribute to Janice on Boxing Day, saying: “Dear wonderful Janice Long championed women in music. Janice has been in my life my whole career, my deepest sympathy to all her family, friends, listeners and fans. Too young to lose you. Toyah xxx”

There have been many tributes to Janice over the past few days, from her friends, work colleagues and many of the bands she supported via her radio shows over the years.

The Guardian said: “The DJ Janice Long, who has died aged 66 following a short illness, became a pioneer in broadcasting as the first woman to have her own weekday show on BBC Radio 1 and the first to become a regular presenter of Top of the Pops. Unlike some of the prominent DJs with whom she shared the airwaves during the first part of her career in the 1980s, Long was a genuine music fan, credited with giving a helping hand to a number of artists whom she had championed, including Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Primal Scream, Manic Street Preachers, the Teardrop Explodes, Amy Winehouse and the Coral.”

• Read The Guardian‘s full Janice Long obituary here.

• See Toyah’s tribute to Janice here.

• Browse Dreamscape’s Janice Long news archive here.

• Click on the screenshots – from Toyah’s appearance on Vintage TV’s The Janice Long Review Show in 2012 – to view larger versions. (Thanks to Paul for the 1985 Radio Times clipping)

Toyah scores highest solo album placement with ‘Posh Pop’

The ’80s icon has teased plans to tour the album across the UK, Europe and the US.

‘Posh Pop’ is Toyah’s best charting album of her solo career. The singer’s 16th LP, featuring the singles Levitate, Zoom Zoom and Summer of Love, debuted at No. 22 on the UK chart, beating her solo debut ‘Minx’, which peaked at 24.

It’s beaten only by ‘Anthem’ and ‘The Changeling’, both of which were released by the singer’s eponymous new wave band, of which she was frontwoman. ‘Anthem’ was a UK No. 2 hit, while ‘The Changeling’ reached No. 6. The live album “Warrior Rock’ also hit No. 20.

• Continue reading at Retro Pop. Read Retro Pop’s recent interview with Toyah.

A very limited number of the Limited Edition space grey vinyl release of Posh Pop, with a signed Toyah print, are available at Amazon UK.

Posh Pop, possibly Toyah’s most eagerly anticipated studio album since Minx, is released on Friday. Toyah considers this a “career best” album.

Posh Pop is a strong collection of infectious and affirmative pop songs that are as joyous as they are reflective, from the cosmic groove of Space Dance, to the sun-kissed anthem of unity Summer Of Love. The album is crafted with evocative storytelling and musicianship from Toyah, Simon Darlow (guitars, keyboards, cello), Bobby Willcox (guitar) and Jeremy Stacey (drums). Posh Pop opens with the energy-burst of Levitate and leads the listener on a journey that climaxes in the soaring, intergalactic-tinged Take Me Home.

• See/Buy the Limited Edition Posh Pop space grey vinyl with signed print at Amazon UK.

The next episode of Toyah At Home is coming this Saturday (10th October), which is also National Album Day 2020. Do you have any questions about Toyah’s albums..?

Sheep Farming In Barnet, The Blue Meaning, Toyah! Toyah! Toyah!, Anthem, The Changeling, Warrior Rock – Toyah On Tour, Love Is The Law, Toyah! Toyah! Toyah! All The Hits, Minx, Mayhem, The Lady Or The Tiger, Desire, Prostitute…

There are many to choose from, and that impressive list is just Toyah’s album releases of the 1980s!!

Submit your questions in the comments section at Toyah’s official Instagram and Twitter, about albums or anything else and tune in at 11am on Saturday at You Tube and Facebook. (Photo © Toyah Willcox)

Song of the week on last Saturday’s episode of Toyah At Home was Lesser God (which includes one of my favourite Toyah lyrics: “I won’t fake for the sake of peace…“), from the album, In The Court Of The Crimson Queen.

Click below to watch/rewatch the episode, which ended with an archive performance of All In A Rage (a song which also features lyrics which resonate in 2020), from the album Minx.

Episode 16 of Toyah At Home airs this Saturday at 11am at You Tube and Facebook.

Song of the week, on Episode 12 of Toyah At Home, was Latex Messiah (Viva La Rebel In You), from the album, In The Court Of The Crimson Queen.

Click below to watch/rewatch the episode, which ended with a new recording/version/performance of America For Beginners, from the album Minx.

• Yorkshire Times: Let’s Rock Announce On Line 80’s Lockdownfest2: Following the huge success of the first 80s LockdownFest last month, Let’s Rock have announced a second online festival, 80s LockdownFest2, happening on Friday 3rd July from 7:00pm – Continue reading…

• Glastonbury/PRS for Music: Rewatch Toyah’s 2016 Interview which has just been added to PRS for Music’s Glasto Playlist – Toyah Willcox chats to M magazine in the PRS for Music tent at Glastonbury 2016 about her creative highs, early inspirations and ongoing love affair with songwriting – Continue watching…

• The Audiophile Man: Vinyl Review Round-Up #1: Reviews of Toyah’s recent vinyl releases, including Minx, Prostitute and Ophelia’s Shadow – Watch here (from 8.04)…

• Octopus TV: Andrew Eborn is joined by Chris Wong who talks about his life and career including as Toyah Willcox’s musical director and guitarist, working with Toyah in The Humans along with REM’s Bill Rieflin and 25 years in panto at Marlowe Theatre where he has played the Ghostbusters theme tune over 13,500 times! – Continue watching…

• Jools Holland: Toyah chooses her favourite acts: if anyone missed this when it aired or was available on BBC Sounds, you can listen to it here…

Some info gleaned from the first, fact packed, Toyah At Home, which aired yesterday at You Tube. This is going to be a great series.

• Thunder In The Mountains: was the first song of the series, with Toyah discussing the background to the song, and life at the time of the writing and release of the single in the summer and autumn of 1981 respectively.

• Thunder In The Mountains: Toyah performed a live version of the classic single (Toyah’s eighth), written by Toyah, Adrian Lee and Nigel Glockler. It truly is an incredible track.

• Good Morning Universe – Live at Drury Lane: Toyah reminisced about the Christmas Eve 1981 gig which aired on The Old Grey Whistle Test.

• Street Addict: Toyah revealed the meaning behind the lyrics of this much loved song. The b-side of Thunder In The Mountains.

• Anthem: Yes, there are plans for the 40th anniversary of Anthem. The album is being re-released in 2021 and there will be an Anthem Tour in the autumn of that year. Dates will be announced once the Electric Ladies Of The 80s Tour is completed in June of next year. Toyah said: “It’s a fantastic album, and we can’t wait to revisit it and play it for you“.

• Joel Bogen: Toyah revealed she has “been inviting Joel to come and join us, and hopefully one day that might happen, But let’s see“.

• Strictly Come Dancing: The Toyah song Toyah would dance to on Strictly would be I Want To Be Free, “and do something really anarchic“.

• Sympathy: A song, from Minx, never performed live before. The question gave Toyah an idea about the song!

• Toyah also discussed vocal warm-ups, the radio play Headcrash, the lockdown dances with Robert. The half hour programme ended with a new version of Sensational – One World In Transition, May Every Child Flourish.

• See you next week for Toyah At Home #2.

Re-uploaded to this website’s You Tube channel recently, Sky Trax – The 1985 Toyah Special; a great Minx-era interview; and BBC Breakfast Time, a much shorter but still interesting Desire-era interview. These uploads have both been edited to remove all music from them, which was the reason they were originally made unavailable by You Tube.

Lots of other quirky clips and footage have also been added to our channel: Toyah, Superhits, Monster Munch 80s adverts, and more! Click below to visit and/or subscribe!

Happy 40th Anniversary to one of the great landmarks of Toyah’s music career – The Blue Meaning. The second long-player (as they were once called) and first full studio album, was released exactly 40 years ago today, in June 1980.

An amazing album and Toyah era, The Blue Meaning is significant for a number of reasons: It was the first Toyah release to enter the Official UK Chart (though earlier singles and the first album had all scaled the peak of the Indie Chart).

It also boasted incredible imagery, artwork and high design standard which would become synonymous with Toyah’s music career and future releases. The album also includes Toyah’s most legendary song, the perennial fan-favourite, Ieya! No Toyah gig is complete without it.

Over the past four decades the album has increased in significance, becoming a crucial part of Toyah’s discography. Everyone loves Anthem (who couldn’t?), The Changeling is a favourite of many fans, Love Is The Law saw Toyah’s vocals soar, Minx still divides opinion, Prostitute mindboggled us all, Ophelia’s Shadow as beautiful, intricate and unique as any album by Kate Bush or Tori Amos, In The Court Of The Crimson Queen introduced Toyah to a new audience while also delighting longtime fans, and yet The Blue Meaning came before all of the aforementioned and 40 years later still intrigues and entertains with each and every listen. Click below for our feature.

Short, but great, interview with Toyah from STV in 1985. This is Scotland Today when it went all soft furnishings and sofas in the mid-80s! Toyah talks Minx, the Soul Passing Through Soul video, America For Beginners, School’s Out and more, with Paul Coia and Haig Gordon.

Just a couple of days until Minx, Prostitute, Ophelia’s Shadow, Take The Leap! and Velvet Lined Shell are released on colour/clear vinyl, and HMV have a great “Toyah LP Bundle” deal available at their website. Add all five of the albums to your basket and pay £79.99. A saving of over £20 compared to other online stores! Click below for HMV.

This Friday sees the release of five Toyah solo studio albums on amazing colour/clear vinyl, including two – Take The Leap! (1994), in clear vinyl; Velvet Lined Shell (2003), in purple vinyl – which have never been available on any sort of vinyl previously.

The former is a double album and the latter Toyah’s first ever 10″ release.

Also coming on Friday are Minx (1985), in translucent red vinyl; Prostitute (1988), in translucent yellow vinyl, and Ophelia’s Shadow (1991), in translucent aqua vinyl.

In the lead up to their release, Toyah has been showcasing the gorgeous new vinyls via photos and video clips at Instagram, with just Velvet Lined Shell still to be previewed this week…

• Click on each or any of the photos below for further info or to pre-order the new colour/clear Toyah albums. (Photos © Toyah Willcox)

Dreamscape’s Toyah 2020 Releases page has just been updated – With new information and photos related to Toyah’s busy release schedule this year.

So far there’s been the eight-disc + 48-page booklet box set, Toyah Solo (just released and just incredible!) and the five colour/clear vinyl albums; Minx (red translucent vinyl), Prostitute (yellow translucent vinyl), Ophelia’s Shadow (aqua translucent vinyl), Take The Leap! (double album clear vinyl), Velvet Lined Shell (10″ purple vinyl).

With a number of other releases to follow through the year this page will be added to and updated. Check out the page and revisit for new releases.

Toyah unboxing Toyah Solo. It looks great. A much better looking box set than Madonna’s Complete Studio Albums released in 2012 (and that one was really good!)

“I am so excited. This is the first ever Toyah box set… The first of a few to be announced. Enjoy!” TOYAH

Toyah Solo is a new 7 CD + DVD anthology of collected works by Toyah, released 28 February 2020 by Edsel Records

An Amazon Exclusive edition featured a signed print and was strictly limited to 500 copies. (Now Sold Out!)

The first Toyah box set ever features six studio albums (Minx, Desire, Prostitute, Ophelia’s Shadow, Take The Leap!, Velvet Lined Shell).

The set also boasts 44 bonus tracks, including rarities, B-sides, collaborations, and several unreleased tracks, plus a DVD of promo videos and a brand new exclusive interview filmed in December 2019 with Toyah talking about her solo albums.

RELEASE DATE: 28 February 2020 | FORMAT: 7 CD + DVD in wallets in 2-piece box with 48 page booklet.

• Toyah Solo is available to pre-order now from Amazon. See Dreamscape’s Toyah Solo News Archive and our new Toyah 2020 Releases page which will, hopefully, be updated with each release this year. (Screen caps taken from a video clip that is © Toyah Willcox).