The Grand Hyatt Hotel – Seoul – 30/05/09

B.A.S.S. Social – Seoul – 28/05/09

Lightyears hit South Korea

We’re heading back East this week for our fourth consecutive year headlining at The Queen’s Birthday Ball in Seoul, South Korea. 

The QBB, which takes place at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on Mount Namsan, is one of the foremost nights on Seoul’s social calendar and regularly attracts over 500 guests. Last year the event raised in excess of 160 million KRW (over £80,000) for Korean charities.

As usual we’ll be taking Johnny Lightyear with us to fill in on bass duties, along with our trusty sound-engineer Danny Morriss who’ll be working his magic on the mixing desk.

Click here to read up on our 2008 adventures in South Korea’s capital.

See you when we get back! 

“The Lightyears – back by popular demand…”
THE SEOUL TIMES, SOUTH KOREA 

“The Lightyears are a bloody good band! They are excellent ambassadors for Britain…”
SIR WARWICK MORRIS, HIS MAJESTY’S AMBASSADOR TO SOUTH KOREA�

Rising demand for Lightyears tickets

The first batch of tickets for our next gig sold out in just a couple of days – but never fear, the promoters have released a load more so all you folks can get your grubby hands on one.

We’ll be at The Troubadour on Friday 24 July, a gig which heralds our return to the London scene.

Click here to purchase your ticket.

Historically we tend to sell out this venue so it’s advisable to buy in advance. It should be a rocking night!  

In other news, beardy crooner Mr Ben Scriven has just been added to the bill – all the more reason to grace us with your presence. Also appearing are Matt Adey, The Beatroots and T Mandrake.

The Lightyears – Friday 24 July – The Troubadour, Earls Court, London. Doors 8pm; LYs onstage 9pm.

Off. The. Hook.

Click here for full gig details.

Buy tickets for LYs at The Troubadour

That’s right folks, we’re back on the London scene! Tickets are now on sale for our homecoming gig at The Troubadour on Friday 24 July. 

We realise we’ve been neglecting you Londoners for a little while now, swanning off to South Africa, USA and the like and generally failing to appear onstage anywhere inside the M25. “Yes,” we’ve heard you all cry, “stadium gigs are all very well and everything but what about your loyal fans in The Big Smoke? Don’t we get a look-in?”.

Well, yes – you certainly do. Many of you will have seen us play at The Troubadour in Earls Court before and so you’ll know it to be a rocking little venue. Historically we tend to sell the place out so be sure to get in early and buy your tickets in advance! 

It’ll be a busy bill on the 24th and we’ve only been allocated a small number of advance tickets – so if you want to be sure of your place in the sun, click here to book your ticket now.

Look forward to seeing all you dudes there…!

Rock & Roll – The Miracle Diet

Here’s an interesting story I heard today. It’s about Claire Richards, who was one of the blonde chicks out of Steps. 

Steps were one of the biggest pop acts of the ’90s. They toured the world, sold over 15 million records and achieved 14 consecutive Top 5 singles – a feat equalled only by The Beatles.

Then, one day, the band broke up.

And Claire Richards got fat.

Really. Bloody. Fat.

She went from a Size 8 to a Size 20 in just a few months. Astonishing, you might think, although when you sit on the same couch for five years eating McDonalds and crying, it’s amazing how easily you can pile on the pounds. 

Turns out that, very admirably, she turned her life around by sticking rigidly to a balanced diet and a structured exercise regime. All credit to her – and hoorah that the idea of Steps reforming one day for a reunion tour hasn’t been jeopardised.

However, reading Claire’s story fostered inside of me a very disturbing thought.

Are The Lightyears keeping me thin?

If we were to split up tomorrow, would I balloon out like a fatty-bom-batty? Would I lose all control and start binging on oil sandwiches and lard pavlovas?

The solution is obvious. I have to keep this band together, at all costs. Even if it means swallowing my pride and agreeing with everything the other guys say. “Yes, Tony, it’s true – animals do have feelings”. “Yes, George, I realise now that you’re right – it really is hilarious in The West Wing when they make jokes about federal co-operative legislation”. I simply can’t afford to encourage any arguments. My arteries depend on it.

So. Hmmmm. If I get fat, will you guys still buy my 2013 solo album, 10,000 Pianos?

Of course you will.

You wouldn’t abandon me just because I need a Stannah Stairlift to get out of bed…

Would you?

New date added to US tour

On 31 July this year we’ll be playing a stage in Pennsylvania once graced by Charlie Chaplin! The aptly-named Chaplin’s in Spring City, PA, is the latest addition to our 2009 USA Tour, joining dates in Burlington, Ardmore and New York City.

Chaplin’s Music Cafe is just a few miles from Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. The venue is famous for playing host to the big-trousered movie legend as part of a travelling revue in 1916 and these days features performances from national and international recording artists every Friday and Saturday night.

For full details, click here to visit the GIGS page.

To read about our last tour to the USA, click here to visit the TOUR DIARY page. 

To see photos from the last tour, click here to visit the GALLERY page.

London Road Stadium – Peterborough – 02/05/09