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)
