Dreamscape – Toyah Willcox Fansite

Toyah To Bring Out The Audio Of Her Drury Lane Concert

Even though, in the eyes of the uninitiated, Toyah‘s latter-day endeavors may seem to suggest she’s content to be cavorting in the kitchen with her spouse, the singer’s histrionic performances have always been much more than such domestic scenes.

It’s rather surprising, then, that, for all the years she spent on-stage, there’s not a lot of records which captured the chanteuse live, but there are concert videos to allow Ms. Willcox to remedy this situation. Last year saw the reissue of her 1981’s “At The Rainbow” album on CD and DVD, and now it’s time for 1982’s “Good Morning Universe” to follow suit.

Slated to be out as “Live At Drury Lane” on May 12th in CD/DVD and 2LP formats, the remastered video version of this classic Christmas show, where the artist’s band included the great Simon Phillips on drums and the recently departed Phil Spalding on bass, reinstates two pieces that were cut from the original VHS release, while audio variant – issued for the first time ever – is augmented with three numbers Toyah delivered to Milan audience earlier on the same tour. Here’s a chance to experience her magic in all its glory.

• Continue reading at Let It Rock. Pre-order Live At Drury Lane, on CD/DVD and double vinyl, at Cherry Red.

To the delight of fans old and new, comes the long-awaited ‘Toyah Live At Drury Lane’ – Toyah’s legendary Christmas Eve 1981 concert released on 12 May 2023 by Cherry Red Records.

Toyah the band were invited by the BBC to play a special live concert on 24 December 1981 for broadcast live on BBC2 for The Old Grey Whistle Test Christmas Special. Simultaneously the concert was broadcast in stereo on BBC Radio 1. Previously, the concert footage was only ever available on a BBC VHS video cassette in 1982.

Following a year of top ten hit singles in 1981 plus the Gold-selling album Anthem, the band closed out the year with this fantastically energetic and celebratory concert. The band line-up for this concert saw Toyah Willcox (vocals), Joel Bogen (guitar), the late Phil Spalding (bass) and Adrian Lee (keyboards) joined by acclaimed drummer Simon Phillips. The much-loved Christmas Eve 1981 concert was watched by an astonishing 12 million viewers on BBC 2 television.

The 2LP and CD contains all 13 songs as performed at the momentous concert at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, as broadcast live on BBC 1 for Toyah In Concert.

The DVD contains all 13 songs as performed at the momentous concert at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, with two songs from the broadcast reinstated following their cut from a 1982 VHS video release Good Morning Universe.

Exclusive to the CD in this package are 3 bonus audio tracks recorded live in Milan on the band’s Winter Tour, which culminated in the Drury Lane concerts on 23/24 December 1981. These three rarely performed tracks are Stand Proud, Urban Tribesmen and Pop Star and come from a previously unreleased sound desk concert recording, courtesy of Joel Bogen.

The 24-page colour booklet includes an introduction by Toyah to the concert and new sleevenotes by Craig Astley, Toyah’s archivist who compiled this release.

Brand new artwork includes photography of Toyah’s iconic stage entrance for the gig, 20ft above the band and audience. Rare and previously unseen photographs of the band’s Drury Lane concert the day before (23 Dec 1981) from the Safari Records archive also illustrate the CD booklet.

• Pre-Order Toyah Live At Drury Lane on CD+DVD, and semi-transparent pink vinyl at Cherry Red (The editions with postcards sold out almost immediately!). Read the news/press release and album page/full tracklist/Release Gallery at toyahwillcox.com. Watch Toyah announce the release on today’s Toyah At Home.

Tomorrow’s Toyah At Home – airing at 11am (UK time) on Toyah’s official You Tube channel and Facebook – is a Live At Drury Lane episode and will will include a special announcement related to Toyah’s legendary 1981 concert at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

Christmas 1981, Following an incredible year of huge hit singles, gold-selling album, tours, a multitude of images, hundreds of press interviews and numerous television appearances, Toyah closed her/their sensational 1981 by playing the final date of the Good Morning Universe European Tour, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London on Christmas Eve.

This was Toyah’s third, and final, tour of the year, following the College Tour at the beginning of 1981 and the Anthem Tour in the middle of the year.

The gig was broadcast live on BBC2  – and simultaneously in stereo on BBC Radio 1 – on The Old Grey Whistle Test – introduced by Radio 1/TOGWT legend, Annie Nightingale – as their annual Christmas Eve concert for 1981, in a schedule that also included everything from a festive All Creatures Great & Small, to an episode of Russell Harty At Home.

The band were: Toyah Willcox (Vocals|), Joel Bogen (Guitar), Adrian Lee (Keyboards), Phil Spalding (Bass Guitar, Vocals), Simon Phillips (Drums).

The concert was released on regular VHS (and Limited Edition hardback cover VHS with an Introduction note by Toyah) by BBC Video in 1982.

Toyah was among a small number who received this not inconsiderable accolade during the 1970s/80s golden era of music. Others bands/artists who were gifted The Old Grey Whistle Test festive concert over the years included Elton John (1974), Queen (1975), Rod Stewart (1976), The Kinks (1977), 10CC (1978), Ian Dury & The Blockheads (1980), Elton John (1982), Paul Young (1983).

Toyah would later recall: “I spent one Christmas in complete euphoria after doing the Drury Lane Whistle Test. I can remember driving home to Birmingham that night and it was snowing. Everything was just wonderful and I remained on a high after doing that show for about ten days.“

Toyah’s Theatre Royal, Drury Lane/The Old Grey Whistle Test concert has become an intrinsic and memorable part of Christmas. A legendary event that thousands attended and many millions watched, and remember as such a special moment in Toyah’s career as well as everyone’s Christmas – past, present and, no doubt, future!

It’s Tuesday, and that means Official Toyah are continuing the countdown to the Remastered and Expanded editions of Toyah’s Gold-selling album Anthem – released by Cherry Red Records on 9th September.

This vintage live performance of Masai Boy is from the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London, from Christmas Eve 1981. Premieres 6pm, Tuesday 23rd August 2022. Pre-order Gold coloured Vinyl, 2CD+DVD or Super Deluxe Box Set now at Cherry Red.

• Vive Le Rock!: Toyah is included in the latest issue (No. 88 / December 2021) of Vive Le Rock magazine, in a new three-page interview feature, mainly focusing on The Blue Meaning. The magazine is available to buy in stores (WH Smith, Tesco etc.) or order the print or digital issue online here…

• Toyah At Home – Christmas Special: In a special episode of Toyah At Home coming up on Christmas Eve, Toyah reflects on the momentous occasion of her live televised concert at Dury Lane on Christmas Eve 1981. Premieres 11am on Christmas Eve.

• Toyah Live 1981: PS. Look out for some news on the Drury Lane concert coming in 2022.

• Proud Cabaret: Toyah is on stage in Proud Cabaret at London Embankment on 22, 28 and 29 December. Book at https://proudcabaret.com/…/christmas-cabaret-all-stars… for any of the remaining three December dates above to catch Toyah or call 020 7482 3866⁠, Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm.

• Supermind: Read a review of the new audio drama, featuring Toyah as Lady Witcombe, here…

Another chance to hear highlights from Toyah’s 1981 Christmas Eve Drury Lane concert, originally broadcast on The Old Grey Whistle Test on BBC2 on Christmas Eve 1981, at the beginning of next month on BBC 6 Music’s Live Hour.

6 Music Live Hour: BBC 6 Music
Tuesday 3rd September: 2.30am
Toyah, Gossip and 77:78. Toyah in concert at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London in 1981, plus a session recorded by Gossip on this date (3rd September) in 2003 and one by 77:78 (1/7/2018). Available at BBC Sounds after airing.

Christmas Eve 1981, Toyah played the final date of the Good Morning Universe European Tour, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London. This was Toyah’s third tour of the year, following the College Tour at the beginning of 1981 and the Anthem Tour in the middle of the year.

The gig was broadcast live on BBC2 on The Old Grey Whistle Test as their annual Christmas Eve concert for 1981. Others who were gifted the festive accolade over the years included Elton John (1974), Queen (1975), Rod Stewart (1976), The Kinks (1977), 10CC (1978), Ian Dury & The Blockheads (1980), Elton John (1982), Paul Young (1983).

Toyah would later recall: “I spent one Christmas in complete euphoria after doing the Drury Lane Whistle Test. I can remember driving home to Birmingham that night and it was snowing. Everything was just wonderful and I remained on a high after doing that show for about ten days.“

Another chance to hear highlights from Toyah’s 1981 Christmas Eve Drury Lane concert, originally broadcast on The Old Grey Whistle Test on BBC2 on Christmas Eve 1981, at the end of the month on BBC 6 Music’s Live Hour.

6 Music Live Hour: BBC 6 Music
Wednesday 29th August: 2.30am
Toyah in concert at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London in 1981, plus a session recorded by the Quads on this date (29th August) in 1979 and one from Stereophonics (22/1/1997). Presented by Chris Hawkins. Duration: 1 hour. (Available at BBC iPlayer after airing)

Toyah and The Moondogs: Chris Hawkins presents recordings from the BBC’s archive of live music. Tonight including Toyah recorded at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London in 1981, plus The Moondogs in session.

Another chance to hear Toyah’s 1981 Christmas Eve Drury Lane concert early next month on BBC 6 Music.

6 Music Live Hour: BBC 6 Music
Monday 5th September: 3am
Chris Hawkins presents Toyah at the Theatre Royal, London, in 1981, plus BBC sessions from Kinky Machine and Stars of Heaven. (Available at BBC iPlayer after airing)

It’s the final day of the Dreamscape Christmas Countdown… I hope you’ve enjoyed the Christmas Toyahfest over the last 24 days.

On Christmas Eve 1981, exactly 34 years ago tonight, Toyah played the final date of the Good Morning Universe European Tour, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London. This was, famously, broadcast live on BBC2 on The Old Grey Whistle Test. Toyah later recalled: “I spent one Christmas in complete euphoria after doing the Drury Lane Whistle Test. I can remember driving home to Birmingham that night and it was snowing. Everything was just wonderful and I remained on a high after doing that show for about ten days.“

We’re counting down to Christmas at Dreamscape…

Christmas Eve, 1981. Toyah play to millions (figures mentioned sometimes suggest over 10 million viewers) on The Old Grey Whistle Test on BBC2, beamed live from the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Toyah was in top form this night and no wonder as it was the end to a hugely successful year: hit singles, an album that reached number 2 and stayed on the chart for the rest of the year, three sell out tours, topping year-end music polls, magazine covers, numerous television appearances… Here are screen caps from the original BBC2 Christmas trail for their 1981 Christmas Eve schedule.

Six songs from Toyah’s Theatre Royal, Drury Lane gig, and the final of the Good Morning Universe European Tour, from Christmas Eve 1981 have been aired by BBC 6 Music for the first time in over three decades. Listen for the next week at BBC iPlayer.

Toyah and The Moondogs: Chris Hawkins presents recordings from the BBC’s archive of live music. Tonight including Toyah recorded at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London in 1981, plus The Moondogs in session.

If anything should definitely be considered “Classic Toyah” then surely it’s these two 1981 concerts? At The Rainbow, from February 1981, and Good Morning Universe – Live at The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, from December 1981. Both were broadcast by the BBC and subsequently released on “BBC Home Video”. Here are a couple of Dreamscape tributes to two amazing gigs… Such a shame that The Changeling Tour the following year wasn’t similarly preserved! Please click on each to view larger versions. View another Rainbow mini feature here.

Three more photos of Toyah from the archives (and the 80s!!). 1. The final date of the ‘Good Morning Universe’ European Tour 1981 at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane; 2. A rare shot of Toyah during ‘The Changeling Tour’ 1982; 3. A serene looking Toyah during the hectic days of Trafford Tanzi at the Mermaid Theatre, 1983. Click on each to zoom. (Thanks to Andi & Lärwi)