For more than 35 years, UK’s New Model Army rock the world with unending consistency. A band that built their fame with monumental records like Vengeance (1984), No rest for The Wicked (1985), Thunder and Consolation (1989), The Love of Hopeless Causes (1993), and all the way up to 2016’s Winter, they’re a group that have rocked audiences from the stage thousands of times and will (hopefully) never stop doing what they know best: perform live and publish their manifesto. Excellent and loud rock music with lyrics for thought by Justin Sullivan. Whether it’s punk or post-punk or alternative rock, NMA always have a very good product for the public, and this time they announced a revolutionary two-night event at the Round Chapel in Hackney, London, April 13 and 14, 2018.
This is the venue:
From the press release:
You know those moments when a band plays quietly and the whole audience sings the words? Sometimes, these are the most emotional experiences – because singing together is the oldest and most basic form of human art, something primal and truly shared. They have chosen this building both for its amazing open acoustics and for the circular layout of the room, which will be perfect for the spirit of the event.
These are not concerts as such; this is a community singing event for all those people who love NMA songs, who love singing and love the feeling of singing together with others. The venue will be fully seated around a small stage constructed in the centre of the room; the whole band will be playing but the arrangements will be deliberately stripped down and very quiet – there will be no big PA system. The nights will be all about the participation and voices of everyone who comes.
Ultimately the band will choose the songs that lend themselves best to the idea – strong melodies and slower, easy vocal rhythms will suit best and will vary these over the two nights. Also, they will issue song-books (included in the price of the ticket) as we understand that people often know particular lines and choruses but usually not all the lyrics; and, of course, they will record and film both nights.
So, it’s easy to guess that they won’t play songs like 51St State, Vagabonds, Here Comes The War, but I think they are most likely to include songs like Afternoon Song on the track list, or Winter.
If you are staying or just visiting London these days you shouldn’t miss the chance to experience that special performance by the band. You may visit the band’s own website for more details and tickets here www.newmodelarmy.org/
UPDATE: A further Sunday matinee show on the afternoon of April 15th has now been announced. Tickets here https://shop.newmodelarmy.org/product/nights-of-a-1000-voices-sunday-april-15th-2018/
Many thanks to Pete Baldwin of ambicon music for sending us the news and the press stuff!
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Written by Mike D.
