SPARKS

[MrDemotime]

The Young Knives, Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip, The Rumble Strips, Electric Soft Parade and Rosalita to support pop pioneers Sparks in London

In February Sparks offered fans the chance to support them at their record breaking run of 21 shows entitled the Sparks Spectacular. Artists wishing to support Sparks were invited to submit a live performance video via Youtube.

Whilst it has been widely reported that Sparks inspired previous generations of musicians including Morrissey, Bjork & Erasure, the response to this opportunity to support the band has shown that a new wave of artists are also now citing the influence of Sparks:


Tom White of Electric Soft Parade, who will support Sparks on June 11th, explains: "Sparks' music has had a massive effect on us in so many ways - from the rough analogue sound of their early seventies recordings to the studied digital minimalism of their most recent work, they have remained a huge influence. In short, we are honoured to be a part of the 'Sparks Live Spectacular'!"

Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip are looking forward to taking to the stage on both May 20th and May 27th. Dan said: “It will be an honour to play with such a truly eclectic band. The width of what they have done is awe inspiring” whilst Pip added “Easily the finest choice of facial hair in music”

Taking place at the Islington Academy in London between May 16 and June 11 2008, the shows will see Sparks performing their first 20 albums – one album per night, commencing with the 1971 album Halfnelson and concluding with 2006’s Hello Young Lovers. On the 21st night Sparks will be relocating to the Shepherds Bush Empire to perform their new album ‘Exotic Creatures Of The Deep’ for the first time.

The first confirmed artists are (further announcements to follow):

May 17th The Young Knives www.theyoungknives.com

May 20th Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip www.myspace.com/lesacvspip

May 21st Belgian singer & composer Philippe Tasquin www.myspace.com/philippetasquin

May 23rd Ipswich new-wave post-punk five piece Rosalita www.myspace.com/rosalitaband

May 25th Gamine www.myspace.com/gamineuk

May 27th Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip

May 28th The Rumble Strips www.therumblestrips.com

May 30th London based trio The Standards www.myspace.com/thestandardsmusic

May 31st Last Man Standing www.last-man-standing.co.uk

June 11th Electric Soft Parade www.electricsoftparade.com

Tickets for the shows are available from www.ticketweb.co.uk cc line 0844 477 2000.

Sparks 21st album ‘Exotic Creatures Of The Deep’ is released on May 19th on Lil’ Beethoven Records.

Q Magazine - 4 stars. Q Recommends; Uncut - "cause for celebration" 4 stars;

Mojo - ‘glorious stuff’ 4 stars; The Word Magazine - ‘unadorned pleasure’

www.allsparks.com

FULL SHOW DETAILS:

SPARKS SPECTACULAR - 21 ALBUMS IN 21 NIGHTS

At Carling Academy Islington, N1 Centre, Islington, LONDON, N1 0PS
www.islington-academy.co.uk doors open at 19.00

MAY
16th Halfnelson/Sparks (1971/2)
17th A Woofer In Tweeter's Clothing (1972)
18th Kimono My House (1974)
20th Propaganda (1974)
21st Indiscreet (1975)
23rd Big Beat (1976)
24th Introducing Sparks (1977)
25th No.1 In Heaven (1979)
27th Terminal Jive (1979)
28th Whomp That Sucker (1981)
30th Angst In My Pants (1982)
31st In Outer Space (1983)

JUNE
1st Pulling Rabbits Out Of A Hat (1984)
3rd Music That You Can Dance To (1986)
4th Interior Design (1988)
6th Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins (1994)
7th Plagiarism (1997)
8th Balls (2000)
10th Lil’ Beethoven (2002)
11th Hello Young Lovers (2006)

JUNE 13th WORLD PREMIERE OF SPARKS’ 21ST ALBUM (2008)

At Shepherds Bush Empire, Shepherds Bush Green, Shepherds Bush, LONDON, W12 8TT
www.shepherds-bush-empire.co.uk


INDIVIDUAL TICKET PRICE: £20.00 PER SHOW

3 NIGHTS OR MORE BOUGHT TOGETHER: £18.00 PER SHOW

GOLDEN TICKET – ALL 21 SHOWS - £350.00 (includes signed poster and exclusive Sparks song on CD). This offer is exclusive to Ticketweb.

www.ticketweb.co.uk cc line 0844 477 2000


TICKETS SUBJECT TO BOOKING FEE