clapham grand

Book Slam – where fiction meets live music

Last week I went to my first Book Slam night.

Book Slam – “London’s best literary club night” – is a monthly event bringing together novel readings and live music. As a musician who has recently completed a novel about his band, this seemed like the kind of place I needed to be hanging out.

The event took place at the Clapham Grand, a venue we’ve played many times ourselves (if you need reminding, here’s a photo and here’s a video). The main thing that struck me during the evening was I’d never heard the Grand so quiet. There was a pin-drop silence as the guest authors read, despite the generous 400-strong audience in attendance.

Novelists Chris Cleave (Incendiary, The Other Hand) and Marina Lewycka (A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian, Two Caravans) both read from their latest releases, thoroughly charming the attentive crowd. Inbetween their sets, ukelele-wielding singer-songwriter Purple Ferdinand provided the meat to the multi-media sandwich with tinkly Lady Gaga covers and a sprinkling of her own songs.

I couldn’t help but feel that this is just the kind of gig I’d like to do with The Lightyears. I think it could work really nicely if the readings tied in directly with the live music and, with the album we’re working on being directly inspired by my novel, there’s potential there for a link between the two art forms.

You can find out more about Book Slam by clicking here. Give me a shout if you’re heading to one of their future events – chances are, I’ll be there.

Oh, and if you haven’t yet had a chance, check out my new novel readings at the Project Lightyears micro-site. We just need another 270 views to unlock our slowed-down, acoustic recording of “This House Will Burn”.

ps. if you fancy helping me along, drop Book Slam an e-mail and tell them how much you’d like to see The Lightyears at one of their events. If it works, I’ll buy you a drink after the show. 😉

Lightyears at the O2 Arena with The Script

Chart-topping Irish rockers The Script are headlining the O2 Arena on Saturday 26 March and before they hit the stage we will be performing a set in The Blue Room (exclusive to O2 customers).

If you’re planning to be there, we’ll be onstage at 6.30pm. If you don’t have tickets, unfortunately you’re out of luck because the gig sold out in less than a day!

However, if this is the case, why not buy tickets for The Lightyears at the Clapham Grand the night before?! Apart from anything else, if you arrive at The Grand before 8.30 you get a free shot. And they won’t be doing THAT at the O2.

Special guest performer to join LYs at The Grand

During our headline slot at The Clapham Grand on Friday 25 March, our set will feature a guest performance from singer-songwriter Rose Farquhar.

We’ve recently been collaborating with Rose after performing with her at the Public nightclub in Chelsea and are very excited about welcoming her onto the Grand’s legendary stage.

You can have a listen to Rose’s songs by visiting her Myspace page.

Click here to buy tickets for the gig.

Full details on the GIGS page.

Can’t wait to see you all there!

Tickets now on sale for Clapham Grand gig

Rather excitingly, we’re back at The Clapham Grand on FRIDAY 25 MARCH and tickets are now on sale via Ticketweb.

BUY YOURS BY CLICKING HERE!

We’re headlining and will be onstage at 21.45.

For those of you who haven’t been to The Grand before, it really is one of the jewels in the crown of London’s music venues. Muse, Oasis, Paul Weller, Public Enemy, Madness – they’ve all taken to the Clapham Grand’s stage at some point in their careers (although, as far as I’m aware, none of them owned a keytar – ’nuff said).

Now, once again, it’s our turn.

Looking forward to seeing you all there!

The Piano-led Power-Pop Revolution!

Top-dollar Philadelphia act Jukebox The Ghost have just been added to the bill for our Union Square gig this Thursday 30 July. This is awesome news, for this jaunty piano-led power-pop 3-piece (sound familiar anyone?!) are one of the finest acts we’ve ever played with.

Jukebox supported us at the Clapham Grand back in 2007 whilst gigging in the UK and since then have toured with Ben Folds and gone from strength to strength. Check them out here.

If you’re in Manhattan, make sure you get down to Union Square at 5pm this Thursday for a rare opportunity to catch Jukebox and The Lightyears on the same stage…

Lightyears to play Astoria 2



The Lightyears are to play their debut at Soho’s world-famous Astoria 2 on Friday 4 April.



LA2 is one of London’s best-loved venues, situated in the heart of London on Charing Cross Road (a one-minute walk from Tottenham Court Road tube). Its illustrious rock ‘n’ roll heritage has included gigs by Iggy Pop, Primal Scream, Moby and Metallica.



Tickets are £6 in advance and available here.

…And thanks to everyone who made it down to the Grand on Friday night! Never has a Lightyears gig been so drenched in confetti…


Lightyears to appear on National TV

It has just been announced that The Lightyears will be appearing on ITV1’s new chat show The Alan Titchmarsh Show on Thursday 18 October.



Alan will interview the band, along with new Lightyears producer Hugh Padgham (Sting & The Police, Genesis, Paul McCartney, David Bowie etc), and following this the LYs will play a song live in the studio. Other artists currently scheduled to appear in the series include Kaiser Chiefs, Jools Holland, Sugababes and Lionel Ritchie.



The show is aired at 3pm daily and is expected to go out to around 3 million viewers.



…In the meantime, don’t forget that The Lightyears are headlining the Clapham Grand this Wednesday 5 September for Feedme Music’s INDY AWARDS CELEBRATION PARTY.



Doors 7.30pm, first band 8pm. LYs onstage 9.30pm. See you there!