ANNOUNCE UK TOUR – FEBRUARY 2019
PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS – THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT
Iconic New York hard rockers Blue Öyster Cult have
announced a UK tour for February 2019, which includes a date at London’s
Eventim Apollo on 22nd February.
Over their four-decade career, Blue Öyster Cult have
established themselves as one of the most iconic bands of their time, with a
repertoire including the hits ‘(Don’t Fear) The Reaper’, ‘Godzilla’ and
‘Burning For You’.
Following their highly-acclaimed performance at last
year’s Stone Free Festival, which saw the band play their eponymous debut in
full, Blue Öyster Cult will play eight dates, starting in Norwich on February
21st and finishing in Manchester on the 1st March.
Supporting will be acclaimed blues rockers The
Temperance Movement. Since formation in 2011, the band have made a huge impact
with three studio albums including their most recent A Deeper Cut, which includes the latest single ‘Caught In The
Middle’. The band are also a renowned live entity having honed their craft
opening up for the likes of Nickelback, Queen and Deep Purple.
Full tour dates can be found below.
BLUE ÖYSTER CULT TOUR DATES 2019
21/2 – UEA, Norwich
22/2 – Eventim Apollo, London
23/2 – O2 Academy, Newcastle
24/2 – O2 Academy, Glasgow
26/2 – O2 Academy, Leeds
27/2 – O2 Institute, Birmingham
28/2 –Anson Rooms, Bristol
1/3 – Academy, Manchester
Tickets go on sale at 10am Friday 27th July and will be available here.
Blue Oyster Cult Q&A Chuff Media
Completed by: Buck Dharma
- Are you looking forward to coming back to the
UK? What do you most enjoy and how does playing here compare to back home
in the States?
Yes I am. I have enjoyed the UK since first
coming in 1975. I like the difference in culture and customs compared to the
US, and revisiting friends and fans I’ve gotten to know over the years.
- What are some of your favourite memories of
playing in the UK? Any previous shows that have always stuck with you?
I’m looking forward to playing what used to be
called Hammersmith Odeon in London again. We had great shows there in the
heyday of Blue Oyster Cult and look forward to returning. Otherwise I like to
get out into the countryside and visit the other cities and towns in the
country.
- If at all, how have you adapted and developed
your live production and your approach to playing your music live over the
decades?
We are currently touring with less special
effects and props, focusing primarily on the music and the musical performance.
It’s essentially what it’s all about, and I enjoy concentrating on that aspect
of our musical catalogue.
- (Don’t Fear) The Reaper is such a great track
that has really stood the test of time. How does it feel to have a song that is
so universally recognised and loved, even in 2019? Has the song’s success
continued to surpass your initial expectations for the track?
It’s great that “Reaper” has held up so well
over time. It’s endurance continues to surprise and gratify me, and yes, I had
no idea when we recorded it that it would have had the impact it has.
- A lot has changed within the Rock community
since you first started, but are there any current rock artists that have
impressed you over the last few years? Any albums you’re particularly enjoying
at the moment?
I like The Rival Sons and the new youngsters Greta Van Fleet. I also discovered last year a 2015 album by Chris Cornell called “Higher Truth.”
- Your
last studio album, Curse of the Hidden Mirrors was released 18 years ago – any
current plans to make another record?
As matter of fact, yes. BOC is recording
another LP this year, 2019, the first in many years. Should be out by fall.
- You have worked and toured with the likes of
Patti Smith, Randy Jackson and Alice Cooper over the course of your career –
any highlights or people you still have on the wish list?
All our collaborations and touring have been
rewarding. I’m open to collaborating with anybody, perhaps some of the younger
artists, although I don’t actively pursue such cooperation.
- You have been doing this for over 50 years now
which is incredible! Having reached such a large milestone in your career, what
inspires you to keep going and keeps you motivated?
I enjoy playing and singing as much today as I
ever did. I don’t have to work, but I do it because it’s rewarding personally.
I could live if I couldn’t do it anymore, but I truly enjoy it, and will do it
for another couple years at least.
- If you could turn back time, is there anything
you would change or do differently?
I have no regrets. It might be nice to have
known more about the business side of the Music industry, but I’m not
complaining about the way it’s gone. I’m lucky to have worked at a job I like
all my life.
- Finally,
knowing all that you know now, what advice would you give your former self when
first starting out, and what advice would you give to anyone wanting to be in a
band now?
Only that I should prepare for a long career. I
never anticipated I’d be still doing what I did in my 20’s fifty years later. I
don’t know what to advise young people today. I’m not really involved in the
current state of music business, it’s changing rapidly, of course, like
everything else in life.