There’s now just eight days until the first gig of the Posh Pop Tour!
The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury tweeted: We’re thrilled to be the first venue in the Toyah Posh Pop tour! Tickets are extremely limited so book now to avoid disappointment.
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.
A great interview with Toyah on today’s Steve Wright In The Afternoon show on BBC Radio 2. This included plays of two previously unheard songs from Posh Pop.
Toyah talked about the recording process of Posh Pop, what inspired the album, and about loving being back on the road touring, playing festivals and gigs.
There were plays of I Want To Be Free, It’s A Mystery, Levitate, The Bride Will Return, and a short burst of Rhythm In My House at the close of the chat.
Steve enthused about Toyah having such a longtime career yet still releasing such quality music. He also mentioned Toyah’s legendary warehouse, Mayhem!
“A body of work that stands amongst the best of her career”.
Toyah embodies the essence of pop music on her latest LP ‘Posh Pop’
The collection was recorded with husband Robert Fripp and co-writer/producer Simon Darlow during lockdown – a theme that underpins each of the 10 tracks.
Opener and lead single Levitate deals with the forced confinement and sees the star rise beyond the realms of the pandemic and reacquaint herself with a world seemingly gone by.
It encompasses the overall theme of the album, which for listeners and as a creative pursuit for Toyah, is about escapism.
While songs like Space Dance and Rhythm In My House are through and through pop numbers, the genius of ‘Posh Pop’ is in the lyrics, which simultaneously reference the world today while remaining timeless.
Steve Wright In The Afternoon: BBC Radio 2
Tuesday 24th August: 2pm Toyah and Shaun. New and vintage music, quirky facts and entertainment news. With guests Toyah Willcox and Shaun Evans. Listen to the show live from 2pm here. It will also be available at BBC Sounds/On Demand after broadcast this afternoon.
Robert Fripp Takes Toyah On A Backstage Tour Of King Crimson’s Show In Nashville
“King Crimson in the home of country music; never thought I’d hear that phrase,” Toyah said.
While Robert Fripp is away on tour with King Crimson in the US, he’s been exchanging video postcards with his wife Toyah Willcox online. In his latest video, the guitarist gave a backstage tour of a King Crimson concert before curtains went up.
The footage shot by Fripp was of Nashville’s legendary Ryman Auditorium – the “home of country music” as he described the venue which housed the Grand Ole Opry for three decades, and has seen the likes of Elvis, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams grace its stage.
Toyah guested on Sky News this morning, talking about her new album, Posh Pop, and more. Here are some screen caps from the programme. Click on them to view larger versions. (Thanks to Dean Beadle for the caps).
Toyah is guesting on Steve Wright’s BBC Radio 2 show tomorrow afternoon. The show airs for three hours, beginning at 2pm
With guests Toyah Willcox and Shaun Evans
Toyah’s album is called Posh Pop, and Shaun Evans is starring in the BBC One drama Vigil as well as returning for an 8th series of Endeavour on ITV. Plus there’s Factoids, the Non-Stop Oldies and the latest entertainment and lifestyle news.
A Feast of Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch – Classic Moments & Unseen Bits… Postcards Home #7 – A Love Letter from Robert… (Plus, Postcards Home #8, premiering tomorrow)… Toyah At Home & On The Road – Episode 3… Space Dance – from Toyah’s 2021 studio album “Posh Pop” out on August 27th. (with Simon Darlow and Bobby Willcox…)
Kidderminster’s Mr Tee in the Park hailed a success
Around 2000 revellers enjoyed a day filled with fun and live music at the Mr Tee in the Park festival in Kidderminster.
The free event featured punk princess Toyah Willcox as the headliner – who impressed punters in the afternoon. The pop singer, known for her eighties hits It’s a Mystery, I Want to Be Free and Thunder in the Mountains, posed for photographs with star-struck fans.
Britain’s Favourite 80s Songs: 5Select: Wednesday 1st September: 00.00am Britain’s Favourite 80s Songs: 5Select: Saturday 4th September: 10.30pm 1981. Series 1, episode 2. Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini, Cheryl Baker and Clare Grogan are among those recalling the music and memories of 1981. It was a year when Bucks Fizz were losing their skirts, Adam and the Ants were re-inventing the pop video, and synthesizer bands were making it big. However, there was still room in the charts for the retro sound of Shakin’ Stevens. Narrated by Tony Blackburn.
Janice Long’s Ladies With Attitude: NOW 80s: Monday 23rd August: 11pm
The 25 greatest women in rock and pop from across the decade, whose attitude and strength were never in doubt! Hosted by Radio 1 legend Janice Long.
Seven Inch Heroes: NOW 80s: Tuesday 24th August: 11.35am/3.30pm
Before the CD, the perfect pop songs were spun by singers & bands on 7 inch vinyl. From 1980-1984 these were the classic UK hits that invaded the world! (NB. This airs sporadically on NOW 80s, sometimes including Toyah!)
A fourth song from Posh Pop premieres this morning via a new video. See, and listen to, Space Dance during this morning’s Toyah At Home & On The Road. The video also premieres standalone at midday here.
Music, chat and more of your questions which this week comes from Toyah as she is on tour away from home… Toyah At Home & On The Road. Look out for an exclusive rendition of Legacy, a 1981 single plus the premiere of the Space Dance video, the fourth and final taste of the Posh Pop album before it is released on 27 August. Premieres 11am on Saturday 21 August 2021.
Britain’s Favourite 80s Songs: 5Select: Wednesday 25th August: 00.05am 1980. Episode 1. Gary Davies narrates this look at the music of 1980, featuring revealing interviews with the singers and band members who made it one of the biggest years in pop. From the Specials and the Jam to Blondie and Bowie, and not forgetting the biggest girl band of the time – the Nolans, it was a year of music and pop videos to remember. Sheena Easton was singing about her man working 9 to 5, Madness stormed the charts with Baggy Trousers and Dexy’s Midnight Runners had a memorable number one with Geno. Contributors include Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini and Katie Puckrik.
Toyah Willcox is an English musician, actress and TV presenter. From fronting a band to releasing solo music, there is little that she hasn’t done across a four-decade career
My childhood was definitely privileged. We had hot water, heating, food, we had our own home, and I went to a private school.
Having a limp, dyslexia and a lisp. I wasn’t even aware of it. I was having a perfectly happy childhood until people pointed out that I had a physical difference to everyone else in the room. Then, when I was sitting my 11-plus people realised that I was not on the same page as everyone else because of dyslexia. Alan Sugar, Richard Branson—you could name a thousand people who have exactly the same experience as me and we’re doing perfectly well. I have such a wonderful life. I have overcome so much.
I wouldn’t say that that specifically made me tougher. What made me tougher was being the only woman in the music industry. My way of learning, my way of working, means that I have to just be a little bit ahead of everyone else. And I think any woman in acting or music would say, “I feel the same too.” You never arrive.