Dreamscape – Toyah Willcox Fansite

It is official – Toyah Willcox loved the Corn Hall in Diss. Pop star Toyah sent her personal thanks to the St Nicholas Street venue for what she described as a “fantastic experience” following her concert, with particular thanks to Yoshi Shinagawa.

Yoshi, 49, who trained as an architect in Japan before moving to Diss in 2006, was a technical volunteer at the St Nicholas Street venue since 2013, and was offered the job as venue technician in April. He said: “I love my job and to receive personal thanks from such an incredible and down to earth performer made my day.”

Tickets for the Toyah show on September 1 sold out months beforehand, with a huge waiting list. Toyah had a string of hits in the 80s, including It’s a Mystery, and I Want To Be Free.

• Continue reading at the Diss Express. Read a review of Toyah’s Acoustic, Up Close & Personal gig at the Diss Corn Hall here.

Perhaps the first British singer to be known only by her first name, Toyah entertained the Corn Hall with a string of post punk hits from the early 80s, and while for those of us of a certain age it was a treat to revisit them, it was also a revelation to hear them reinvented for acoustic guitar and vocals.

Flanked by two superb guitarists, and backed by video and still images, Toyah Ann Willcox proved to be a slick and accomplished performer. Opening on Good Morning Universe, she mixed lesser known gems with some cosy chit chat as well as big hitters like Thunder in the Mountains. These stripped down versions of her extensive back catalogue revealed not only how good these songs are, but what a fine voice she has.

• Continue reading at The Corn Hall.