Shed Seven have already had an unforgettable 30th anniversary year, taking in their first ever #1 album with ‘A Matter of Time’, two huge upcoming homecoming celebration shows at York’s Museum Gardens, and a #1 vinyl single with the Radio 2 playlisted ‘Let’s Go Dancing’. Yet the fun doesn’t stop there. Not only will Shed Seven release the new orchestral reworks album ‘Liquid Gold’ on September 27th, but they have just announced a major nationwide 30th-anniversary tour.
‘Liquid Gold’ sees Shed Seven revisit a selection of hits and live favourites from their back catalogue with the rousing accompaniment of a full orchestra. Reimagined by the band in collaboration with arrangers Fiona Brice (Liam Gallagher, Placebo) and Michael Rendall (who worked on both ‘A Matter of Time’ and 2017’s Top 10 comeback ‘Instant Pleasures’), the album’s rich reinvention also benefits from a brass section and gospel singers.
The album spans the band’s career, starting with ‘Speakeasy’ and ‘Ocean Pie’ from their 1994 debut album ‘Change Giver’. It also visits their landmark album ‘A Maximum High’ – including a dramatic new take on ‘Parallel Lines’ which guitarist Paul Banks has playfully described as sounding like “Shed Zeppelin” – and a soaring, sweeping ‘Disco Down’ through to ‘Better Days’, originally from ‘Instant Pleasures’.
‘Liquid Gold’ is completed by a brand new song which was written specifically for this project in the shape of ‘All Roads Lead To You’ and a new take on the ‘Instant Pleasures’ era bonus track ‘Waiting For The Catch’, which now features Issy Ferris of the UK Americana Award winners Ferris & Sylvester.
Shed Seven’s Rick Witter says, “‘This year we celebrate 30 years as recording artists and after reminiscing about our career we thought we’d celebrate the milestone by revisiting some key songs from our past. The idea being that if we cherry picked a hatful of songs and recorded them now it would be a coherent stroll down memory lane but also sit sonically beside our recent number one album ‘A Matter Of Time’. A logical next step. We see this record as a gateway into the world of Shed Seven. We also felt that adding an orchestra to each track would lend the whole project a unique slant. The songs have become widescreen, full of colour.
The original recordings will always hold a special place in our hearts but re-recording the chosen songs was an exciting prospect for us. It’s a gift from the band to our loyal supporters, and will hopefully introduce some golden moments throughout our career to a whole new audience. Enjoy, and here’s to the next 30 years!”
Listen to ‘Devil In Your Shoes’ – BELOW:
The grander scale that Rick describes undeniably shines in the album’s first track ‘Devil In My Shoes’. Originally a slow-burning highlight of 1998’s ‘Let It Ride’, this new version adds a cinematic sheen to the song: its new-found grandeur providing a shimmering contrast between its initially downbeat melancholy and the full-force of optimism that beams as it reaches its crescendo.
Shed Seven will further preview ‘Liquid Gold’ with a performance on Radio 2’s Piano Rooms, which will be broadcast on May 30th.
The striking album artwork was designed by Pure Evil, the renowned artist Charles Uzzell-Edwards. Shed Seven guitarist Paul Banks has been a long-term fan and collector of his work.
After their huge York shows and a set at Blossoms’ Big Bank Holiday Weekend, Shed Seven’s 30th anniversary tour gets underway in November. Promising hits, fresh favourites from ‘A Matter of Times’ and surprise guest appearances it promises to be an unforgettable experience for fans both old and new. After phenomenal demand has already seen multiple gigs sell out, limited tickets remain available HERE. All shows feature special guests The Sherlocks. The dates are:
JULY – 30TH ANNIVERSARY HEADLINE SHOWS
19th – York, Museum Gardens (SOLD OUT)
20th – York, Museum Gardens (SOLD OUT)
AUGUST
25th – Manchester, Wythenshawe Park (guests to Blossoms)
NOVEMBER – 30TH ANNIVERSARY HEADLINE TOUR
14th – Sheffield, Octagon (SOLD OUT)
15th – Cardiff, University – Great Hall
16th – Liverpool, University – Mountford Hall
18th – Halifax, Victoria Theatre
19th – Hull, City Hall
21st – Aberdeen, Music Hall (SOLD OUT)
22nd – Glasgow, O2 Academy (SOLD OUT)
23rd – Edinburgh, O2 Academy
25th – Leicester, O2 Academy
26th – Margate, Dreamland
28th – Bristol, O2 Academy
29th – Newcastle, O2 City Hall (SOLD OUT)
30th – Leeds, O2 Academy (SOLD OUT)
DECEMBER – 30TH ANNIVERSARY HEADLINE TOUR
2nd – Oxford, O2 Academy (SOLD OUT)
3rd – Lincoln, Engine Shed
5th – Stockton, Globe
6th – Manchester, O2 Victoria Warehouse (SOLD OUT)
7th – Birmingham, O2 Academy (SOLD OUT)
9th – Norwich, The Nick Rayns LCR, UEA (SOLD OUT)
10th – Cambridge, Corn Exchange
12th – Bournemouth, O2 Academy
13th – Nottingham, Rock City (SOLD OUT)
14th – London, O2 Academy Brixton (SOLD OUT)
‘Liquid Gold’ tracklist:
1. ‘Getting Better’
2. ‘Speakeasy’
3. ‘Devil In Your Shoes’
4. ‘On Standby’
5. ‘Going For Gold’
6. ‘Waiting For The Catch’ featuring Issy Ferris
7. ‘Better Days’
8. ‘Parallel Lines’
9. ‘Disco Down’
10. ‘Ocean Pie’
11. ‘All Roads Lead To You’
12. ‘Chasing Rainbows’
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