Following the recent announcement that legendary prog-rock band Camel will bring their acclaimed live show to London’s Royal Albert Hall in September 2018, the band are happy to reveal that this will be preceded by an extensive run of UK tour dates, including Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre & Opera House on Saturday 8th September.
During what will be a very special run of shows – performed by Andrew Latimer (guitar, flute, vocals), Colin Bass (bass guitar, vocals), Denis Clement (drums), Peter Jones (keyboards, vocals) – the band will be playing the entirety of their 1976 album Moonmadness plus plenty of other classic tracks.
Upon release Moonmadness left its mark on the UK Top 20 albums chart, going on to become certified silver. In the Q & Mojo Classic Special Edition Pink Floyd & The Story of Prog Rock, the album was included in its list of the best “40 Cosmic Rock Albums” and voted no. 58 in the Top 100 Prog Albums of All Time by readers of ‘Prog’ magazine in 2014.
Over a 45-year career, the British prog-rock band Camel has proved itself a hardy survivor. Led by founder member Andrew Latimer, whose instantly recognizable guitar playing and singular compositions are the enduring hallmarks of the Camel sound, the band has weathered many storms and setbacks on its journey but has always come through to deliver original and inspired music.
Camel formed in 1972, finding international success in the mid-70s with The Snow Goose and Moonmadness albums. Despite ensuing personnel changes, that success was consolidated with a string of further records and tours until the mid-80s, when legal disputes and industry disinterest threatened the band’s existence. Relocating to California at the end of that decade, Latimer and lyricist Susan Hoover founded their own independent label, releasing the aptly- themed Dust and Dreams in 1991; a monumental concept album based on John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath. It proved a resounding return to form that ushered in a new decade of creativity, encompassing four albums – Dust and Dreams, Harbour of Tears, Rajaz and A Nod And A Wink – and four world tours.
In 2003 Camel undertook a farewell tour, presaging a ten-year hiatus during which Latimer was laid low by a life-threatening illness. Fortunately his subsequent recovery led to a groundswell of renewed energy, powering the band’s celebrated return in 2013 with a new, revised album version of The Snow Goose and a sold-out European tour, with another two major tours in the following two years.
In 2018 Camel will be back on the road again with an extensive tour focusing on one of their most popular albums, Moonmadness. Andrew Latimer will be joined by his two long-standing musical colleagues, bassist Colin Bass and drummer Denis Clement. Occupying the keyboard chair with aplomb and undeniable virtuosity will be multi-instrumentalist Peter Jones, who debuted with the band on their Japanese tour in 2016.
The intuitive energy that sparked between the band rekindled the special joys of performing as a quartet and spawned the idea to revisit and celebrate the heady days of the original Camel line-up. Camel will perform Moonmadness in its entirety as well as a selection of classic tracks from across the repertoire.
Theatre Director Joanne Johnson says: “We’re excited to welcome such a legendary band as Camel to Tyne Theatre & Opera House’s stage. The acoustics of the theatre and the stunning interior of our beautiful Grade 1 listed building will make for a very special experience for Camel fans.”
Tickets: £55.50, £39, VIP £125 (includes early entrance, premium seats, meet & greet, VIP laminate & Camel lanyard, photo of the band that can be signed & photo opportunity)
On Sale Friday 1st December from 10am: www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk