@Heaven17BEF come to @sage_gateshead on 24th October (see the rest of the tour here too)

HEAVEN 17

&

BRITISH ELECTRIC FOUNDATION

(B.E.F)

DUAL HEADLINE TOUR THIS AUTUMN

HEAVEN 17 PRESENT…

‘PENTHOUSE & PAVEMENT’ 35th ANNIVERSARY

PLUS 

BRITISH ELECTRIC FOUNDATION’S FIRST EVER UK TOUR

With the votes now in and a career-affirming title now crowning their legacy, Sheffield's Greatest Band of All Time : HEAVEN 17  and B.E.F. will be providing a just reminder of their glittering achievements this autumn as they electronically revisit their magnum opus: ‘Penthouse & Pavement’, at a series of UK shows. 

Thirty-five years since the release of their landmark debut album, Messrs Glenn Gregory and Martyn Ware will be commemorating the record that launched their sensational career by performing a brand new electronic version of ‘Penthouse And Pavement’ live and in full.


Part two of each show will also feature a live set from B.E.F. (British Electric Foundation) who embark on what will be their first ever live tour.


Founded in 1980 and masterminded by Heaven 17’s own Martyn Ware, the production company were renowned for their innovative collaborations with some of pop music’s brightest stars of the period. In 2016, B.E.F. will be enlisting the talents of Mari Wilson, Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols), Peter Hooton (The Farm), and of course Glenn Gregory to present a very special set featuring brand new arrangements of songs familiar and unexpected from the B.E.F. back catalogue, plus some surprise songs to be exclusively unveiled at the shows.


Taking place throughout October, the tour will see Heaven 17 and B.E.F. take to the stage to deliver consecutive sets at a run of dates that begin at Liverpool’s O2 Academy (20th) and conclude up at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire (30th). (See full dates below for details.)


Expressing his delight at being a part of the B.E.F. shows for the first time, Glenn Gregory said:


“Having worked with Martyn for so many wonderful years as Heaven 17, performing with BEF is like finally getting the golden key to the executive toilet.”


Outlining his expectations and anticipations of the forthcoming tour, B.E.F founder Martyn Ware said:


“What an honour it is to have such talented and iconic artists performing on our first-ever live BEF tour. Over the last 35 years, BEF has worked with some of the most famous singers on earth, and for our fantastic shows this October, Glen Matlock, Peter Hooton and Mari Wilson will each be performing one of their most famous songs, together with surprising cover versions done in the unique BEF electronic style. Add to that the inimitable Glenn Gregory (I’m sure I’ve heard that name somewhere), and the 35th anniversary performance of new electronic arrangements of ‘Penthouse And Pavement’ and you have our greatest live show ever’”.


Formed in 1980 as Martyn Ware departed Sheffield synth icons The Human League only to find a kindred musical mind in Glenn Gregory, together as Heaven 17 the pair set about writing and recording the songs that would become their debut album ‘Penthouse and Pavement’ released only a year later.  In letting the BBC-banned debut single “(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang” lead their anti-establishment charge, the band made clear their intentions to break away from their synth-pop contemporaries on their first outing.  Follow-up singles “I’m Your Money”, “Play To Win”, “Penthouse and Pavement” and “The Height of the Fighting (He-La-Hu)” would propel the long-player to No. 14 in the UK charts and a Gold Disc Certification after a 77-week residency inside the Top 100.  Now recognised universally as one of the most vital albums to emerge from the New Wave movement in British electronica, ‘Penthouse and Pavement’ has since been included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.


In 1982, Martyn Ware released the first studio album under the B.E.F. moniker: ‘Music of Quality and Distinction Volume 1’. an album of covers that he and partner Ian Craig Marsh had grown up listening to, the album featured an all-star cast of guest appearances including Paula Yates, Billy MacKenzie, Glenn Gregory, Sandie Shaw and most notably Top 10 Hit “Ball of Confusion” a cover of the infamous track by The Temptations, as sung with powerhouse vocals from Tina Turner. 



-CATCH HEAVEN 17 AND B.E.F. ON TOUR IN 2016 AT THE FOLLOWING TOUR DATES-

Thurs 20 October - Liverpool O2 Academy
http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/event/BEH2010X?

Fri 21 October - Birmingham Town Hall
http://www.thsh.co.uk/event/heaven-17-and-special-guests-british-electric-foundation/


Sun 23 October - Glasgow O2 ABC 

http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/event/heaven-17-british-electric-foundation-tickets/227435

Mon 24 October - Gateshead Sage
http://www.sagegateshead.com/event/heaven-1739978/


Tues 25 October - Sheffield City Hall
http://www.sheffieldcityhall.co.uk/events/Heaven-17-British-Electric-Foundation


Wed 26 October - Manchester O2 Ritz
http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/event/bse2610z


Fri 28 October - Bury St Edmunds Apex
https://www.theapex.co.uk/whats-on/event/3008/heaven-17–british-electric-foundation


Sat 29 October - Basingstoke Anvil
http://www.anvilarts.org.uk/whats-on/heaven-17-and-special-guests-british-electric-foundation 


Sun 30 October - London Shepherd’s Bush Empire
http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/event/IEH3010Z?brand=o2sbe&camefrom=AMG_SBE



[* NB also available are special VIP packages limited to 30 per venue including best seats, meet and greet with photo opportunity and a signed poster. ]

-FOR MORE INFORMATION-

Website - http://www.heaven17.com/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/heaven17bef

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/heaven17bef