Prior to their European tour Sparks, Californian brothers Ron and Russell Mael, release ‘Check Out Time 11AM’ on May 18th 2018. Previously only released on vinyl for Record Store Day US 2017, the song is now released on all digital platforms.
Sparks will also feature in a two part Radio 2 documentary ‘The Birth Of Sparks – from Beach Boys To Blighty’. Part 1 – ‘Sparks on Sunset’ – is broadcast on May 23rd 21:00-22:00. Katie Puckrik talks to Ron and Russell about their formative years growing up on Sunset Strip in the late 1960s, meeting and mingling with the stars and emerging artists of that vital Los Angeles music scene and how that experience both shaped and influenced them over the years. Part 2 – ‘Sparks in London’ – broadcast at the same time on May 30th, traces their move to Britain and role in helping to define the 70s as one of musical innovation where art school sensibilities met operatic spectacle.
Following an exceptional 2017, that saw them release the extraordinary album ‘Hippopotamus’, Sparks will return to Europe for a run of dates in May and June.
MAY 2018
22 – UK, Glasgow, O2 Academy
23 – UK, Leeds, O2 Academy Leeds
24 – UK, London, O2 Forum Kentish Town (sold out)
26 – UK, Southampton, Common People Festival
27 – Oxford, Common People Festival
28 – UK, Bournemouth, BIC (Beck’s special guests)
30 – France, Toulouse Le Bikini
31 – Spain, Barcelona, Primavera Sound
JUN 2018
1 – France, Nimes, This Is Not A Love Song Festival
5 – Germany, Munich, Freiheiz
6 – Germany, Cologne, Gloria-Theater
7 – Belgium, Antwerp, Arenbergschouwburg
9 – Netherlands, Utrecht, TivoliVredenburg Ronda
10 – Germany, Hamburg, Mojo Club
13 – Norway, Bergen, Bergenfest
14 – Norway, Oslo, Rockefeller Music Hall
16 – Sweden, Stockholm, Cirkus (sold out)
17 – Sweden, Malmo, Kulturbolaget (sold out)
18 – Denmark, Copenhagen, DR Koncerthuset
See allsparks.com/calendar for tickets links.
