Wendy James will headline at Manchester’s Deaf Institute in October in support of her latest album, The Shape of History. The former Transvision Vamp lead singer will be performing at the Deaf Institute, backed by a full band featuring Dave Parsons (Transvision Vamp), Jim Sclavunos (Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds), and Alex Ward (Thurston Moore Group). The Shape of History, James’ tenth solo album, was recorded between London and New York and is available now on vinyl, CD, and digital formats.
The tour features 21 dates across the UK. As well as the Manchester gig, Wendy James will also headline at Liverpool’s Hangar 34. The tour opens at London’s 100 Club and returns to the city four weeks later for a second show at One Ninety Four. The shows will feature songs from across her albums.
Speaking about her latest album and the sounds which have made the cut, Wendy James said, “My songwriting has always been a wide mix of sounds, which naturally reflect the different music and references I have and love. ‘The Shape Of History’ was recorded on Scrubs Lane, West London with Alex Ward, Harry Bohay and James Sclavunos. I then went off to NYC and Brooklyn to record the pianos and organs with Dave ‘The Moose’ Sherman. Overdubbing continued with Al Lawson at the engineering helm in his Shepherd’s Bush studio and then I went back to Berkeley, CA to mix with Jesse Nichols before mastering with Fred Kevorkian in Brooklyn NY. I have spent so much time with this music, I know it note-for-note and love it and am so happy for you to make it your own now”.
“‘The Shape Of History’ has a lot about love in it, a lot about appreciation of oneself, one’s life and importantly, of others. It is life’s arc of starting out, blooming into something and in some ways maturing. I don’t think my music has got older, I know I’ve not gone mellow! My attitude can be more ferocious and fearless than ever, but there is an acquired wisdom, which naturally comes after having been alive for a few decades! ‘The Shape Of History’ is a love letter and a Thank you note to life so far. The culmination of my tenth album is the result of co-musicians and engineers who I’ve worked with previously and with whom I share a language. We know each other, we choose to work together. We enjoy each other’s talents and personalities. There is a happiness, a belonging, when we meet up, and an open and determined desire to achieve what we know we have to”.
“From meeting Nick Christian Sayer and forming Transvision Vamp, the two of us walking into EMI Records and demanding to see the head of Artists and Repertoire, Dave Ambrose. Getting signed and making our hits of the late 80’s and 90’s. From collaborating with Elvis Costello and mixing that album at Sunset Sound in Hollywood where The Stones mixed ‘Exile On Main St’, then moving to NYC to start writing and recording as a solo artist, all the gigs I’ve played and the friends I’ve made around the world, the astounding, incredible, wonderful people whose lives I’ve crossed paths with… I am so grateful for it all.”
When does Wendy James headline at Manchester’s Deaf Institute?
Wendy James will headline at Manchester’s Deaf Institute on 21st October as part of her UK and Ireland tour. She will also headline a Liverpool gig at Hangar 34 on 3 October. The Manchester and Liverpool gigs are two of 21 UK dates she has announced:
1 October – London, 100 Club
2 October – Coventry, HMV Empire
3 October – Liverpool, Hangar 34
4 October – Stoke, Sugarmill
7 October – Peterborough, Met Lounge
8 October – Newcastle, Cluny
9 October – Leeds, Brudenell
10 October – Southampton, The Brook
11 October – Truro, Old Bakery Studios
14 October – Frome, Cheese and Grain
15 October – Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach
17 October – Blackpool, Waterloo Music Bar
18 October – Kingston upon Thames, Pryzm
21 October – Manchester, Deaf Institute
22 October – Glasgow, King Tuts
23 October – Edinburgh, Cabaret Voltaire
24 October – Stockton on Tees, Georgian Theatre
25 October – Buckley, Tivoli
28 October – Bristol, Fleece
29 October – London, One Ninety Four
30 October – Brighton, Patterns
When Do Tickets Go on Sale for Wendy James at Deaf Institute?
Tickets for Wendy James’ Manchester gig are on sale now.
