Paul Heaton releases his eagerly anticipated second solo album Acid Country on 13th September and has just announced a UK tour to accompany its arrival, in which he stops off at Liverpool's O2 Academy on the 20th September.
The autumn dates will be preceded by a headline slot on Glastonbury’s Leftfield stage as well as appearances at Latitude and V Festival.
The follow up to 2008’s widely acclaimed The Cross Eyed Rambler, Acid Country is Paul’s 15th studio album and his second as a solo artist.
Recorded with his band in Colne, Lancashire earlier this year; the album was co-produced by Mr. Heaton and Christian Madden (of The Earlies) and features guest vocals from Sally Ellyson of New York’s Hem and Ruth Skipper from Moulettes.
The new long player sees the former Beautiful South and Housemartins frontman continue to write classic melodies with a country edge, whilst also maintaining his sparkling pop sensibilities.
As ever, his intricate and sometimes acerbic lyrics stand out with songs about old and new experiences, stories of travels and home, optimism and pessimism.
Paul previewed some of the songs from Acid Country – as well as tracks from his previous solo outing and a couple of classic offerings from his Housemartin days - in May 2010 when he embarked on the ‘Pedals and Beer Pumps Tour’.
He travelled to 16 pubs by bicycle, cycling over 1000 miles in the process and playing some of the best shows of his career.
Starting off at the Rovers Return on Coronation Street and fitting in a quick date at the Woolpack in Emmerdale, the dates saw him highlighting the plight of local boozers and celebrating cycling as an environmentally friendly (and very healthy!) method of touring.
Full tour dates:
27 June - GLASTONBURY, Leftfield Stage - headlining
17 July - LATITUDE, Word Arena
21 August - V FESTIVAL, Hylands Park
22 August - V FESTIVAL, Weston Park
20 September - LIVERPOOL, O2 Academy
21 September - GLASGOW, King Tuts
22 September - NEWCASTLE, O2 Academy
24 September - MANCHESTER, O2 Academy
25 September - BRISTOL, Thekla
26 September - BIRMINGHAM, Glee Club
28 September - LONDON, Borderline
29 September - LONDON, Borderline
30 September - SHEFFIELD, Leadmill
Tickets are £16.50 except London (£17.50) and are on sale now.
www.gigsandtours.com & www.ticketmaster.co.uk / 24 hr cc hotline 0871 2200 260/0844 826 2826
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