There are two distinct chapters to the Blancmange story.. In the early ‘80s they infused the emergent synth-pop scene with oblique lyrics, wry British humour and occasionally tabla-tinged sonics, an unlikely mix which saw them soar into the Top 10 with singles such as ‘Living On The Ceiling’, ‘Blind Vision’ and ‘Don’t Tell Me’. And since 2011’s Blanc Burnalbum they’ve taken that singular style into a new century and somehow become more prolific than ever. Now There are two distinct chapters to the Blancmange story.. In the early ‘80s they infused the emergent synth-pop scene, released on London Records on 11th May 2024.
BLANCMANGE 1979-2024) ON 11TH MAY
PRE-ORDER HERE
UK HEADLINE TOUR STARTS IN MAY
Everything Is Connected shows that Blancmange’s roads less travelled are just as remarkable as their big hits. While some of the songs may be new to you, their textures are familiar: primary-coloured electronics with a hidden edge, or a rain-spattered bleakness that’s somehow comforting, often delivered with blunt Northern humour. It’s like discovering new rooms in a house you thought you knew.
Vocalist and songwriter Neil Arthur says, “I’m really lucky to be able to make the music completely on my own terms. Within myself there are no limits, there’s a massive palette inside and I will try anything.”
Blancmange’s history has also been shaped in unexpected ways. Neil met multi-instrumentalist Stephen Luscombe at the Harrow School of Art in 1979, and as synths weren’t readily available, they toyed with experimental homemade instruments which at least sounded vaguely like synths. Signing with London Records in February 1982 they embarked on one of the great Imperial Phases of synth pop. These were Radio One hits secretly nourished by Can and Captain Beefheart, making the band a regular fixture in the charts and on Top of The Pops, but after half a decade and ten UK hits the sheen had started to wear off. With the grandeur of the Royal Albert Hall as their backdrop, in 1986 Blancmange made the curtain call for part one of their story.
TOUR DATES:
MAY
16th – Newcastle, Wylam Brewery
17th – Glasgow, St. Luke’s
18th – Birmingham, O2 Institute
23rd – Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
24th – Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
25th – Manchester, Academy 2
26th – Colchester, Arts Centre
31st – Bristol, Trinity
JUNE
1st – London, Islington Assembly Hall
2nd – Brighton, Old Market
3rd – Southampton, 1865
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