Latest Prog News from across the progressive music spectrum & updated throughout November 2022
30/11/2022: Christine McVie ~ RIP
“On behalf of Christine McVie’s family, it is with a heavy heart we are informing you of Christine’s death. She passed away peacefully at hospital this morning, Wednesday, November 30th 2022, following a short illness. She was in the company of her family. We kindly ask that you respect the family’s privacy at this extremely painful time, and we would like everyone to keep Christine in their hearts and remember the life of an incredible human being, and revered musician who was loved universally. RIP Christine McVie.”
SOURCE: Christine McVie’s Facebook Page
29/11/2022: Riverside release video for Self-Aware single
Ahead of the release of their Riverside’s eighth studio album ID.Entity, scheduled for January 2023, sees the release of a single edit version of Self-Aware, the final cut from the album…
Mariusz Duda commented: “’Self-Aware’ is a song which summarises the entire album, and talks about how it’s difficult these days to live in a society and ignore all the social changes, how you can’t simply be passive, “shut yourself off”, or “hole up deep in the woods”. We need each other in order to change something in our lives. Not everything can be done single-handedly; “I have to be better than others, I have to be the best” is not a good mantra. We need cooperation to achieve goals. And it’s important that this message comes not from a solo artist, but from a band, whose success lies mostly in cooperation within the band and interaction with their listeners.”
TRACK LISTING
01. Friend Or Foe? (7:29)
02. Landmine Blast (4:50)
03. Big Tech Brother (7:24)
04. Post-Truth (5:37)
05. The Place Where I Belong (13:16)
06. I’m Done With You (5:52)
07. Self-Aware (8:43)
ID.Entity will be released through InsideOut Music on 20 January 2023, and will be available in various formats: CD | Digital Limited Edition Deluxe 2CD+Blu-ray Artbook | Limited Edition 2CD Mediabook | Coloured Vinyl.
SOURCE: InsideOut Music
29/11/2022: Cherry Red Records to release 4 Disc live Van der Graaf Generator set
Van der Graaf Generator will release a four-disc live set, recorded at The Forum in Bath in 2022. Scheduled for release via Cherry Red Records on 10th March 2023, the The Bath Forum Concert features the entire concert, on 2 CDs, Blu-ray (with 5.1 Surround Sound) and DVD.
“In February 2022 Van der Graaf Generator embarked on a UK tour which had been rescheduled several times due to the Covid pandemic. The final show on these dates took place at The Forum in Bath on March 1st and the event was captured by a film and recording crew.
‘The Bath Forum Concert’ is the first live CD and film fully controlled by the band and it captures Peter Hammill, Hugh Banton and Guy Evans at their finest performing vintage tracks such as ‘Masks’, ‘Childlike Faith In Childhoods End’, ‘La Rossa’, ‘Man Erg’ and ‘House With No Door’ along with newer pieces such as ‘Interference Patterns’, ‘Every Bloody Emperor’, ‘Go’, ‘Alfa Berlina’ and ‘Room 1210’.
This release features the entire concert, mixed by Stephen W Tayler, and includes two CDs and a region free High-Definition Blu Ray video with 5.1 Surround Sound and an NTSC / Region Free DVD of this stunning concert film.”
SOURCE: Cherry Red Records
25/11/2022: The Tangent announce live album in January 2023
The Tangent announce the release of Pyramids, Stars & Other Stories: The Tangent Live Recordings 2004-2017 on the 27 January 2023 via InsideOut Music.
Three concerts are represented, one from 2004, one from 2011 and one from 2017 (all have had some form of prior release as ‘unofficial bootlegs’).
Included in its entirety is the 2004 ‘Pyramids And Stars’ concert in Germany featuring the ‘Roine Stolt’ lineup of The Tangent playing its way through the majority of the debut ‘Music That Died Alone’ album along with (then) new material from their second album ‘The World That We Drive Through’.
There are also tracks from the COMM era line-up of the band (recorded without the knowledge of the musicians) at a concert in the UK – plus tracks recorded in the USA in 2017 by the band’s current line-up.
Presented in a re-imagined Ed Unitsky ‘Pyramids and Stars’ LP gatefold sleeve with LP booklet and 2CDs.
Pyramids, Stars & Other Stories: The Tangent Live Recordings 2004-2017 is a triple vinyl compilation of live recordings by The Tangent over a 13 year period.
Andy Tillison comments: “A Triple Live LP is the stuff of Bucket Lists, dreamed of doing one of these since I was a kid”.
SOURCE: InsideOut Music
25/11/2022: Hammock return with new studio album
Hammock announce the release their 12th album, Love In The Void, scheduled for 27 January 2023, via Hammock Music through Secretly Distribution.
Love in the Void, an album that looks to the future, seizes the present, and unabashedly relishes the experiences and bonds that bring meaning to our days. Known for crafting orchestral works of stirring cinematic ambience, on Love in the Void the Nashville-based duo of Marc Byrd and Andrew Thompson bring guitar-forward, heart-pounding urgency to songs that shout through and shatter the static of complacency.
Since forming as Hammock in 2003, Byrd and Thompson have released 14 critically-acclaimed albums, and are renowned for their unique talent for bringing inexpressible emotion to life. The Covid-19 pandemic followed closely after one of Hammock’s career-defining works, the Mysterium, Universalis, and Silencia trilogy that chronicled the incomprehensible loss of Byrd’s 20-year-old nephew. At their homes and apart, Byrd and Thompson then recorded Elsewhere, an album of shimmering ambience that channelled alienated longing and displacement into avenues that gave way to worlds and possibilities yet realized.
Love in the Void is Hammock’s loudest album to date, embracing daring and vulnerability with palpable vitality at its core. Wide-eyed and looking forward, Love in the Void moves into an unknown future without fear.
SOURCE: Prescription PR
24/11/2022: Rick Wakeman and the ERE album update
Although no official release date has been given Rick Wakeman has announced his latest studio album A Gallery Of The Imagination will be released in time for Christmas (standard editions) whereas the vinyl and deluxe editions will be shipped in February 2023.
Rick comments: “One of my great loves is going to museums and art galleries and seeing all the different types of art, so I thought, why not a music gallery… the Gallery of the Imagination? People can paint their own mind pictures to the different types of music that are on the album. It is very diverse and for me, it works very well because the concept holds it all together”.
TRACK LISTING
01. Hidden Depths
02. The Man In The Moon
03. A Mirage in the Clouds
04.The Creek
05. My Moonlight Dream
06. Only When I Cry
07. Cuban Carnival
08. Just A Memory
09. The Dinner Party
10. A Day Spent On The Pier
11. The Visitation
12. The Eyes of a Child
The line-up on A Gallery Of The Imagination features The English Rock Ensemble: bassist Lee Pomeroy, guitarist Dave Colquhoun, drummer Ash Soan and on vocals Hayley Sanderson
Full details and pre-order links HERE
SOURCE: Rick Wakeman
24/11/2022: Tony Temp releases Mangata single
Composer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Tony Temp, from Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), returns with a new instrumental track, Mangata – which translates from Swedish: “reflection, similar to a road, of the moon in the water”.
“The song is a journey through progressive rock and metal, going through the most current fusion. 100% instrumental with forceful guitars and orchestral cinematic overtones. Mangata was born as a journey, differentiating different stages within music. It begins focused on rock, with a powerful chorus with a simple and melodic melody. An orchestral interlude follows leading to a more forceful and heavy finale.”
SOURCE: Tony Temp
20/11/2022: Prog The Forest release trailer video
Prog The Forest have released a new video trailer for their annual charity event raising money for the World Land Trust. The event takes place on 4 December 2022 at The Fiddler’s Elbow, Chalk Farm, London. This year’s line-up features: The Dame | Ms Amy Birks | Ruby Dawn | The Emerald Dawn | Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate | Cabiria…
“The World Land Trust buys threatened rainforest, to protect in trust, to stop them getting chopped down,” says co-organiser Malcolm Galloway of Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate. “Trees make oxygen, without which breathing is a bit pointless. So protecting the trees is good for the wildlife, and good for us staying alive. A win-win really.”
SOURCE: Prog The Forest
Keep up to date with the TPA Gig Guide & TPA Festival Guide – the UK’s most comprehensive prog gig listings.
20/11/2022: Selenic to release debut album later this month
French quartet Selenic are set to release their debut album Resilience on Friday 25 November 2022. In October the band released the second single Denial…
The band describe their as exploring “the sounds of neo-progressive and alternative rock music and places emotions at the centre of its lunar and sharp compositions.”
Selenic consists of Clément Rittie (vocals), Gautier Lambla (guitar), Lucas Tollis (bass) and Daniel Vaxelaire (drums). Our music explores the sounds of neo-progressive and alternative rock music and places emotions at the centre of its lunar and sharp compositions.
SOURCE: Selenic
19/11/2022: Roger Waters releases new version of Comfortably Numb
Roger Waters has re-recorded a new version of Floyd’s classic Comfortably Numb…
Roger Waters comments: “Before lockdown I had been working on a demo of a new version of ‘Comfortably Numb’ as an opener to our new show “This Is Not A Drill”. I pitched it a whole step down, in A Minor, to make it darker and arranged it with no solos, except over the outro, where there is a heartrendingly beautiful vocal solo from one of our new sisters Shanay Johnson.”
It’s intended as a wakeup call, and a bridge towards a kinder future with more talking to strangers, either in “The Bar” or just “Passing in the Street” and less slaughter “In Some Foreign Field.””
SOURCE: Roger Waters
18/11/2022: New Jethro Tull album scheduled for early 2023
Jethro Tull have completed work on the recording of their 23rd studio album, following swift on the heels of their well received The Zealot Gene, their first album in two decades.
Ian Anderson comments: “We have been putting the finishing touches to the artwork for the album cover and wrapped up the recording and mixing a few weeks ago. Due to the usual long wait for vinyl pressing and manufacturing, we are scheduled for an Spring 2023 release but, during the weeks and months to come, you will be hearing more about the record and the various formats which will be available.
It’s a little too early just yet to tease you with titles, tracklists and content, but rest assured that it is all done and dusted as to mastering and the main elements of art and packaging. I hope you will like the concept and themes when I am ready to tell you more. It has been a long and tricky job to get the material recorded during a hectic schedule of touring in these last months. A day here, a day there and the odd burst of a few days together at some points along the way.
I wrote the main themes and lyrics back in January of this year and sent the first demos to the band in February and March, much as I did with The Zealot Gene, back in 2017. Most of the recording took place in June and August with the stereo mixing done in September. My new pal Bruce Soord of The Pineapple Thief undertook to create the surround sound mixes and an alternative stereo mix too.”
Jethro Tull continue live dates this year, with shows in mainland Europe before returning to the UK for their annual Christmas shows, and then further dates in 2023.
The band consists of:
Ian Anderson – Flute, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals
David Goodier – Bass Guitar
John O’Hara – Piano, keyboards & Accordion
Scott Hammond – Drums
Joe Parrish-James – Guitar
SOURCE: Jethro Tull
15/11/2022: Dream Theater add more European dates including 4 UK shows
Dream Theater will return to Europe early next year with shows announced so far including UK, Denmark, Estonia, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Germany.
TOP OF THE WORLD TOUR (UK) DATES
17/02/23 (Fri): MANCHESTER – O2 Apollo
18/02/23 (Sat): BIRMINGHAM – Symphony Hall
19/02/23 (Sun): GLASGOW – SEC Armadillo
21/02/23 (Tue): LONDON – Hammersmith Eventim Apollo
SOURCE: Dream Theater
Keep up to date with the UK dates with the TPA Gig Guide
11/11/2022: Damanek announce new studio album Making Shore
Following their well received second album In Flight, Damanek are set to release their third, Making Shore, via GEP, on the 13 January 2023. Today sees the release of the Americana promo…
“‘Making Shore’ is another winner from Damanek – once again Sean Timms’ production lends a touch of class to the overall sound of this impressive third album. Those who are fans of longer tracks will love ‘Oculus’ which weighs in at over 30, minutes long closing a truly magnificent album.”
Guy Manning comments: “Creating ‘Making Shore’ has been a real labour of love. Demos for the pieces were written quite quickly nearly 3 years ago after the European tour, a set of songs in keeping with the previous 2 albums i.e., social, economic and political themes addressing the state of the planet and the human condition.”
Marek Arnold says: “Work on new songs started immediately after the release of the last album and Guy was even in Germany to work with me in the studio on selected arrangements. But then along came Corona and a long difficult time, but now it’s finally finished and I think the familiar sound, Sean’s excellent production and the varied songs won’t disappoint.”
SOURCE: Damanek
11/11/2022: Nik Turner ~ RIP
Nik Turner, founding member of Hawkwind who contributed saxophone, flute and vocals to the group’s first seven albums as well as co-writing some of their most beloved songs, passed away during the evening of 10 November 2022.
His family posted this message earlier today: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Nik Turner – The Might Thunder Rider, who passed away peacefully at home on Thursday evening. He has moved onto the next phase of his Cosmic Journey, guided by the love of his family, friends and fans.”
Cleopatra Records comment: “Turner was simply one of the most creative minds of his generation. His tenure with Hawkwind was just the beginning of his journey to the outer reaches of the rock music universe as Turner would go on to release an astoundingly adventurous and diverse catalog of solo albums as well. His collaborations with everyone from UK Subs guitarist Nicky Garratt to Doors’ guitarist Robby Krieger to Todd Rundgren along with Steve Hillage of Gong, Amon Düül II founder John Weinzierl, Die Krupps leader Jürgen Engler, William Shatner and so many more expanded his creative energy and brought new generations of music fans into his audience. Just this year saw the reissue of Turner’s incredible concert extravaganza, Space Ritual 1994, as both a CD/DVD set as well as a 3LP set, which features guests Helios Creed of Chrome and Psychic TV’s Genesis P-Orridge as well as Hawkwind alumni Del Dettmar and Alan Powell.”
SOURCE: Glass Onyon PR
09/11/2022: Bonus track from David Longdon’s Door One released
The Treachery Of Memory was recorded during Spring 2021 at the same sessions as David’s posthumous solo album Door One. David specified that he would like the song to be made available as a bonus track after the release of Door One.
Video by Steve Cadman.
SOURCE: Big Big Train
08/11/2022: Peter Gabriel announces i/o tour dates
Today, Peter Gabriel has announced plans for his 2023 tour across the UK & Europe next spring. The tour marks his first shows outside of North America since 2014’s Back to Front Tour celebrating the era-defining album So.
Peter Gabriel comments: “It’s been a while and I am now surrounded by a whole lot of new songs and am excited to be taking them out on the road for a spin. Look forward to seeing you out there.”
The 22 European dates will kick off in Krakow, Poland on 18 May 2023, with dates in Italy, France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, The Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and the UK before wrapping in Dublin, Ireland on 25 June 2023.
i/o The Tour will see Peter playing new material from his forthcoming album i/o, as well as delving into his extensive catalogue of music, with hits, fan favourites and the unexpected. For the shows, Gabriel will be joined by regular band-mates Tony Levin, David Rhodes and Manu Katché. Full details on the i/o album will follow.
Tickets go on sale starting Friday 11 November 2022 at LiveNation.com.
Keep up to date with the UK dates with the TPA Gig Guide
04/11/2022: Radar Festival 2023 add Periphery and Haken to the line-up
Radar Festival announce that Periphery are to headline RADAR 2023 at the BEC Arena in Manchester. They also revealed that HAKEN will be returning for a special set celebrating 10 years since the release of The Mountain. Other bands announced so far are: Loathe, Heart Of A Coward, Unprocessed, Tides From Nebula, Allt, Long Distance Calling, SUMR, GHOST IRIS, Owane & Jack Gardiner, Playgrounded and Tiberius.
The festival will also have a new venue next year: “Moving to Manchester is the realisation of a dream for RADAR Festival. We loved our first venue, Casino – a unique yet challenging space, but in reality, we outgrew the capacity in year one. Our new space has allowed us to grow and book more of the bands we love.”
SOURCE: Radar Festival
Keep up to date with the TPA Gig Guide & TPA Festival Guide – the UK’s most comprehensive prog gig listings.
03/11/2022: RPWL announce European tour dates
Currently in the studio working on their forthcoming album Crime Scene, RPWL have announce an extensive European Tour running through March and April next year. As part of the tour the band will headline at Winter’s End Progressive Rock Festival on Sunday 2nd April 2023, before embarking on four more dates…
03/04/23: WOLVERHAMPTON – The Robin 2
04/04/23: GLASGOW – Slay
05/04/23: OUNDLE – Queen Victoria Hall
06/04/23: LONDON – Boston Music Room
SOURCE: RPWL
Keep up to date with the UK dates with the TPA Gig Guide
01/11/2022: Mike Dawes announces a short run of UK dates
Ahead of his European tour with Tommy Emmanuel, Mike Dawes announces a short run of UK dates in March 2023…
01/03/23: NEW MILTON – Forest Arts Centre
02/03/23: WINCHESTER – The Arc
03/03/23: FAREHAM – Ashcroft Arts Centre
05/05/23: ALDERSHOT – West End Centre
SOURCE: Mike Dawes
Keep up to date with the UK dates with the TPA Gig Guide
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