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Global pop legends a-ha are bringing their 2022 World Tour to the Yorkshire coast this summer.

Almost 40 years after their breakthrough, the synth pop pioneers are still creating magic on stages across the globe with their timeless music.

And the multi-Platinum selling Norwegian trio are now bringing their World Tour – which sees them play huge shows in South America, Europe and USA, including a date at the iconic Hollywood Bowl – to Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Sunday July 3.

Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday March 25 via scarboroughopenairtheatre.com

Widely regarded as true visionaries of both music and video technology, a-ha – who are vocalist Morten Harket, guitarist Pal Waaktaar-Savoy and keyboardist Magne Furuholmen – burst onto the global stage in 1985.

Their debut album Hunting High and Low, which featured the Number 1 hits Take on Me and The Sun Always Shines On TV, is widely regarded as one of the most important releases of the 1980s.

a-ha have gone on to release 10 studio and two live albums plus their highly acclaimed MTV Unplugged album. Take On Me, which has now been viewed 1.4 billion times on Youtube, has been repeatedly voted in MTV fans’ ‘Top 10 Best Music Videos’ of all time.

a-ha The Documentary, a film which follows the band over a period of four years, will be released in UK cinemas on May 27 to coincide with their series of UK arena shows.

The film charts the band’s rise to the zenith of their popularity and portrays the challenging creative and personal dynamics of a group of three strong individuals who achieved their dreams.

After their world tour, a-ha are not taking any time out. In October, True North is released. a-ha’s first collection of new songs since 2015’s I is more than a straightforward album – it’s unique for a-ha.

True North is a new album, but it is also a film capturing a-ha while recording the songs over two early November 2021 days in Bodø, the Norwegian city located 25km inside the Arctic Circle. It has been completed with the Norwegian Arctic Philharmonic.

a-ha join a stellar summer line-up at Scarborough Open Air Theatre – the UK’s biggest purpose-built outdoor concert arena – which includes shows by Christina Aguilera, Sam Fender, Lewis Capaldi, Bryan Adams, Crowded House and Westlife, plus many more.

Venue programmer and promoter Peter Taylor, of Cuffe and Taylor, said: “a-ha are true pop pioneers, visionaries and one of the most loved bands of the last 40 years.

“Their 2022 tour sees them headline many huge venues, including the Hollywood Bowl, so we are delighted to be bringing them to the UK’s very own iconic open-air arena – right here on the beautiful Yorkshire coast.”

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Swedish alt-folk duo First Aid Kit have been added to the sensational headline line-up for Live at The Piece Hall 2022.

Sisters Klara and Johanna Söderberg have been wowing audiences around the world for more than a decade and they now head to The Piece Hall in Halifax on Thursday June 23.

Tickets go on general sale at 9am on Friday March 25 via ticketmaster.co.uk

First Aid Kit join the likes of Duran Duran, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Paloma Faith, Nile Rodgers and CHIC, Tom Grennan and Paul Weller among this summer’s headliners to perform in the historic Yorkshire venue’s open-air courtyard.

Hailing from a southern suburb of Stockholm, Klara and Johanna began composing songs as teenagers.

They released two studio albums with Wichita Records – The Big Black And The Blue in 2010 and The Lion’s Roar in 2012 which featured breakthrough single Emmylou. Rolling Stone quickly named it one of its ‘Singles of the Year’.

They followed their early success with 2014’s Stay Gold and, four years later, Ruins – which hit Number 3 in the UK album charts and featured the stunning singles It’s A Shame and Fireworks. NME’s four-star review of Ruins stated: “It is a lush, expansive release that uses the siblings’ uncanny blood harmony to full effect, elevating their low-key folk songs into something majestic.”

Twice nominated for Best International Group at the BRIT Awards, Klara and Johanna last year released their wondrous live tribute to Leonard Cohen – Who By Fire – which again won widespread critical acclaim.

First Aid Kit’s sensational live shows – at which they are backed by a full band – are famed for being emotionally-charged affairs, packed with incredible songs, astonishing harmonies and singalong anthems.

This year they hit stages across Europe, USA, Canada as well as festival appearances at Glastonbury and Bristol Sounds.

Support on the night comes from fast-rising Dublin country pop star CMAT, aka singer-songwriter Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson.

CMAT’s debut album If My Wife New I’d Be Dead was released only last month. It instantly topped the Irish album chart and won massive acclaim with Hot Press magazine rating the album as “undoubtedly one of the most thrilling Irish pop debuts of the century”.

First Aid Kit’s Halifax show is presented by Cuffe and Taylor and The Piece Hall Trust. Nicky Chance-Thompson DL, CEO of The Piece Hall Trust, said: “First Aid Kit have wowed audiences around the world for more than a decade and we are so excited to be welcoming the fantastically talented Klara and Johanna here to our courtyard.

“We have a packed summer of live music ahead of us here at The Piece Hall with truly brilliant headline artists. It’s going to be our biggest and best year ever!”

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Stadium-filling British music icons Duran Duran are heading to Yorkshire this summer for what promises to be an unforgettable night at The Piece Hall in Halifax. 

Duran Duran have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, scored 18 American hit singles and 21 UK Top 20 tunes – cementing them as one of the most successful and influential bands of all time.

And now the Grammy, BRIT Award and Ivor Novello winners are bringing their epic live show to The Piece Hall’s historic and stunning open-air courtyard on Tuesday July 5.

Tickets go on general sale at 9am on Friday March 25 via ticketmaster.co.uk

Duran Duran – singer Simon Le Bon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor – have been together for more than 40 years and continue to play to huge concert audiences around the world. 

Consistently fusing art, technology, fashion and a signature sense of style with their unique and infectious brand of music, they have proven themselves timeless, always innovating and reinventing, to remain ahead of the curve.

Duran Duran’s 2021 album Future Past – their highest charting album in 16 years – was met with widespread critical acclaim. It was described as an album “that looks firmly to the future” by Rolling Stone UK, “classic Duran” by The Times, “a blast” by CLASH, and “all a fan could want” by the Evening Standard.

A genre-spanning piece of work that once again sees Duran Duran continuing to charge forward sonically and stylistically, Future Past features production by Erol Alkan, Giorgio Moroder and Duran Duran, and guest appearances from Blur’s Graham Coxon, Mike Garson, CHAI, Mark Ronson, Ivorian Doll and Tove Lo.

Duran Duran were recently announced as nominees to be inducted by the 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Set to continue their 40th anniversary celebrations, they will perform at a series of huge summer headline shows across the UK and Europe.

They join Paul Weller, Tom Jones, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Paloma Faith, Tom Grennan, Nile Rodgers and CHIC, Jessie Ware, Primal Scream and Pete Tong & The Heritage Orchestra as headliners for Live at The Piece Hall 2022.

The show is presented by Cuffe and Taylor and The Piece Hall Trust. Nicky Chance-Thompson DL, CEO of The Piece Hall Trust, said: “Once again, Cuffe and Taylor have delivered. Duran Duran are true global superstars and it is an absolute honour to add them to the fantastic headline line up for Live at The Piece Hall 2022.

“It’s been very hard for me to keep this one under my hat and there is no doubt there will be an incredible demand for tickets for this show so I would advise fans to get in quick!”

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Sam Fender has added a massive open-air date on the Yorkshire coast to his biggest ever UK Tour.

The double BRIT Award winner – whose incredible new album Seventeen Going Under followed his 2019 era-defining debut Hypersonic Missiles straight to the top of the UK charts – will play a headline show at Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Friday May 27.

Tickets for the 8,000-capacity show go on sale at 9am on Friday March 11 via scarboroughopenairtheatre.com

And fans are advised to be quick. Tickets for all of Sam’s 2022 UK arena dates – including two homecoming shows in Newcastle and two nights at Wembley Arena – sold out as soon as they went on sale.

It has been an incredible 12 months for North Shields’ latest, greatest son – rightly hailed as one of the most cherished and original songwriters of his generation.

Last year saw the release of Sam’s second UK Number One Album, the bruisingly open, honest and intensely personal Seventeen Going Under.

Sam, last month, received the 2022 Brit Award for Best British Alternative/Rock Act, to add to his 2019 Critics’ Choice Award and he is now ready to bring his high-octane live show to massive stages around the UK.

His Scarborough OAT headline date – the Yorkshire coast arena’s opening show of 2022 – will begin an incredible summer for Sam which includes headline festival slots at Tramlines, Truck and Victorious, and another massive outdoor show at London’s Finsbury Park.

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Promoters Cuffe and Taylor have secured an exclusive deal to programme live music events at The Piece Hall in Halifax.

The North West-based promoters – who are part of Live Nation Entertainment, the world’s leading live entertainment company – have agreed a five-year deal to co-promote headline shows with The Piece Hall Trust.

The Piece Hall in Halifax is a unique architectural and cultural wonder. It originally opened in 1779 for the trading of ‘pieces’ of cloth produced by Yorkshire’s famous woollen mills and is the only remaining Georgian cloth hall in the world.

Now an award-winning contemporary cultural, heritage and live entertainment destination, The Piece Hall has welcomed more than eight million visitors through its historic gates since it re-opened on 1 August 2017.

Cuffe and Taylor are delighted to reveal there will be more than a dozen open air shows staged within the Grade I listed Yorkshire venue’s iconic 66,000sq ft courtyard in June and July – making 2022 The Piece Hall’s biggest ever summer season of live music.

This year’s headliners for ‘Live at The Piece Hall’ include Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Paul Weller, Paloma Faith, Tom Jones, Primal Scream, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Tom Grennan, Jessie Ware and Pete Tong & The Heritage Orchestra – Ibiza Classics.

Cuffe and Taylor founder Peter Taylor said: “We are beyond delighted to confirm we have entered into an exclusive five-year agreement with The Piece Hall Trust.

“This historic and iconic Yorkshire venue is simply stunning. We pledge to build on the work already undertaken by the Trust and deliver an exciting programme which has wide appeal for music fans.

“Live Nation work with some of the biggest music acts in the world and we cannot wait to bring major artists here to Halifax to play this special venue.”

Cuffe and Taylor have extensive experience in staging major concerts in Yorkshire.

Since 2016, they have exclusively programmed all live music events at Scarborough Open Air Theatre – including massive headline shows by the likes of Britney Spears, Lionel Richie, Kylie, Stereophonics, Biffy Clyro, Duran Duran, Lewis Capaldi and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds.

They are also responsible for staging UK tours with Britney, Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey and Little Mix, while also curating major festivals and events such as Lancashire’s Lytham Festival and Greenwich Music Time, staged at the historic and world famous Old Royal Naval College.

Chair of The Piece Hall Trust, Sir Roger Marsh OBE, DL said: “Our vision for The Piece Hall to be a world class attraction, means we need to host world class artists and Cuffe and Taylor and Live Nation have the expertise to deliver this.

“So much has been achieved since we reopened four years ago and I’m incredibly proud of that, but we remain hugely ambitious for the future.

“This new partnership with a leader in the entertainment world and a promoter with a great reputation will see our iconic building welcome some iconic acts, cementing The Piece Hall’s reputation as a leading music venue, as well as securing income for the Trust and contributing to the economic regeneration of Calderdale and Yorkshire.”

Nicky Chance-Thompson DL, CEO of The Piece Hall, said: “We are delighted to be working with Live Nation and such a highly respected promoter as Cuffe and Taylor to deliver an incredible line up for ‘Live at The Piece Hall’ over the coming years.

“Cuffe and Taylor have an amazing track record in delivering live shows at iconic and historic venues across the UK, and we look forward to working with them to build on our great track record to date.

“We simply cannot wait to reveal more huge names for this year’s season as The Piece Hall’s reputation for world class live music continues to grow.”

British music icon Paul Weller has been added to this summer’s stellar line-up for Live at The Piece Hall.

The legendary singer-songwriter heads to Halifax on Sunday July 3 for an unmissable headline show at The Piece Hall’s historic and stunning open-air courtyard.

Tickets go on general sale at 9am on Friday February 4 via ticketmaster.co.uk

Paul Weller joins Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Primal Scream, Nile Rodgers and CHIC, Paloma Faith, Tom Jones and Tom Grennan among the headliners so far confirmed for the Live at The Piece Hall 2022 concert series.

Few artists have had as great an influence on the British music scene as Paul Weller. As frontman of The Jam, he spearheaded the Mod revival in the late ’70s and early ’80s, scoring a string of hits before forming The Style Council and then embarking on a stellar solo career.

The last two years have seen an incredible creative output from Weller, releasing no fewer than three new studio albums – all to widespread acclaim.

His wondrous 17th solo album ‘An Orchestrated Songbook’ was released just a month ago. Recorded with award-winning arranger Jules Buckley and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the album reimagines a selection of his vast catalogue including such classics as English Rose, Broken Stones, You’re the Best Thing, Wild Wood and You Do Something to Me.
‘An Orchestrated Songbook’ followed the highly acclaimed Fat Pop: Volume 1 – his second Number One album in 12 months, which followed hot on the heels of the success of 2020’s On Sunset.

Weller’s live shows are the stuff of legend, mixing his unstoppable brand of high adrenaline rock with beautiful acoustic moments. Fans at The Piece Hall will be treated to an incredible evening from an artist who possesses one of music’s most brilliant and diverse catalogues that remains ever relevant.

His show at the Piece Hall is presented by Cuffe and Taylor and The Piece Hall Trust.

Nicky Chance-Thompson DL, CEO of The Piece Hall Trust, said: “What can we say other than ‘wow’ – the legend that is Paul Weller is coming to The Piece Hall!

“Paul is a true music icon, someone who has not only written some of the most cherished songs of the last 50 years, but an artist who has influenced generations of songwriters.

“This is going to be another incredible night here at The Piece Hall and I urge fans to get their tickets early. Many of this year’s headline shows sold out within hours of going on sale and we expect this will be another massively popular night.”

Record-breaking global superstar Christina Aguilera has announced she’s heading back to the UK for three headline shows this August – including a date on the Yorkshire coast.

Singer, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, and one of the best-selling artists in the world Christinawill be bringing her iconic vocals and impeccable routines to Scarborough Open Air Theatre on August 2, before continuing onto Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena on August 3 and London’s The O2 Arena on August 5.

Tickets go on general sale Friday February 4 at 9am via scarboroughopenairtheatre.com

Scarborough Open Air Theatre’s live music programmer Peter Taylor is delighted to be bringing another global star to Britain’s biggest open air concert arena – following the likes of Britney Spears in 2018 and Kylie in 2019.

Peter said: “Christina Aguilera is a music superstar and true global icon and we are absolutely thrilled to announce she is coming to Scarborough this summer!

“Christina is only playing a handful of shows in the UK so to bring her here is another major coup for Scarborough Open Air Theatre and the Yorkshire coast.

“First Britney, then Kylie and now Christina – three incredible women on the global stage – all headlining this special venue. Roll on August 2 – this is going to be one of the must-see shows of the summer!”

More than 20 years after her self-titled debut album, Christina Aguilera has established herself as one of the biggest and most recognised solo female artists having sold more than 43 million records worldwide, collected more than 18 million Spotify listens, received more than three billion YouTube views and achieved five No.1 U.S singles, making her the fourth female artist to top the charts over three consecutive decades (1990s, 2000s, and 2010s).

Back in 2010, Christina received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and holds the prestigious honour of being the only artist under the age of 30 included in Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of the 100 greatest singers of all time. Renowned for her powerful voice and hit singles, Christina Aguilera, is no doubt a global superstar and voice of a generation.

Christina’s UK Tour dates follow the release of her new singe Pa Mis Muchachas, hermuch anticipated return to her Latin roots. Returning to Spanish-language music, the song celebrates Latina sisterhood by featuring global Latin music superstar Becky G, explosive Argentinian rising star Nicki Nicole and Spain-based provoking songwriter and rapper Nathy Peluso. The Latin Grammy Award Winner is set to make another major mark on Latin music and culture as only she can.

Fans can expect all the hits including, ‘Dirrty’, ‘Ain’t No Other Man’, ‘Fighter’ and ‘Genie in a Bottle’ as well as more arena-filling anthems this August.

Yorkshire’s very own singing star Jane McDonald will light up Scarborough Open Air Theatre in 2022 when she headlines a special concert to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Jane will be joined by a host of special guests for Yorkshire’s Platinum Jubilee Concert taking place at Britain’s biggest outdoor concert arena on Saturday June 4.

Tickets go on general sale via www.scarboroughopenairtheatre.com at 9am on Friday December 17.

Jane won a place in the nation’s hearts in the BBC docusoap The Cruise back in 1998 and became a household name overnight. Since then, she has toured extensively selling out live concerts including sell-out shows at the Royal Albert Hall and the London Palladium twice, as well as The MGM in Las Vegas.

Most recently Jane released her 10th studio album Let The Light In and entertained huge audiences with her tour of the same name. Next week she is due to host her spectacular annual Christmas concert at Leeds First Direct Arena.

Jane has appeared on numerous high-profile television shows including Star For A Night and Loose Women as well as performing at three Royal Variety Shows.
She returned to our TV screens fronting Channel 5’s BAFTA award winning Cruising with Jane McDonald, along with Jane & Friends, Holidaying With Jane McDonald and the upcoming new series Jane McDonald Explores Yorkshire.

In 2015, Jane earned rave reviews when she played the role of Grizabella in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats in an eight-week run at Blackpool’s Opera House.

Yorkshire’s Platinum Jubilee Concert is the latest addition to a stellar line-up for Scarborough OAT’s 2022 season with other headliners including Lionel Richie, Lewis Capaldi, Bryan Adams, Elbow, Tom Jones, The Script, Simply Red, Crowded House and Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, plus many more still to be announced.

Speaking about Yorkshire’s Platinum Jubilee Concert, Jane said: “This really is an exciting announcement, and I’m absolutely thrilled to be headlining this very special concert celebrating The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. And where better to be holding such a brilliant event than in Yorkshire.

“Everyone knows I’m a proud Yorkshire lass so it will be so thrilling to walk on to stage in Scarborough for these celebrations.”

Scarborough OAT venue programmer Peter Taylor, of promoters Cuffe and Taylor, added: “Jane McDonald is THE Queen of Yorkshire so we are delighted she will be headlining Yorkshire’s Platinum Jubilee Concert.

“Jane sells out gigs, is a TV star and has wowed musical theatre audiences and critics. She is a huge talent and is the perfect star for this very special concert.

“2022 is going to be a massive year for Scarborough Open Air Theatre and we are very excited to be adding a concert celebrating Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.”

For more information about all show and tickets go to www.scarboroughopenairtheatre.com

Music legend Tom Jones – whose iconic hits span seven decades – is bringing his sensational live show to Yorkshire next summer.

Fresh from the success of his brilliant 2021 chart-topping album Surrounded By Time, Sir Tom is delighted to confirm he will be headlining The Piece Hall in Halifax on Sunday July 10 and Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Tuesday July 26.

Tickets for both shows go on general sale from 9am on Friday December 10 via ticketmaster.co.uk

With a career that has seen him sell in excess of 100 million records, Tom Jones has won countless accolades including a BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music and a Silver Clef Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Knighted by Her Majesty The Queen in 2006, the global star has amassed 36 top 40 UK hits.

Surrounded By Time – Sir Tom’s 41st studio album – marked new territory with a sonic landscape of outstanding musicianship and a vocal delivery that re-imagines a diverse set of songs of personal importance for the music legend.

Singles Talking Reality Television Blues, No Hole in My Head, One More Cup of Coffee and Pop Star were radio hits around the globe and helped score another UK Number One album.

Fans attending Sir Tom’s shows in Halifax – part of Live at The Piece Hall 2022 which is held in the historic venue’s stunning open-air courtyard – and at Scarborough OAT are assured of a fantastic night as he and his band present a stunning set-list built from a career that traverses all eras and genres of popular music.

Nicky Chance-Thompson DL, CEO of The Piece Hall Trust, said: “What an absolute honour it is to reveal that the one and only Tom Jones will be joining us here at The Piece Hall in 2022!

“Sir Tom is a true music legend and someone we have wanted to bring here for some time. Live at The Piece Hall 2022 just keeps getting bigger and better and to now add Sir Tom to the line-up is just incredible.”

Scarborough OAT venue programmer Peter Taylor, of promoters Cuffe and Taylor, said: “Sir Tom is a musical force of nature and someone the audiences here simply adore. What a night we have in prospect when he takes to the stage on July 26 for what will be his third headline appearance here.”

British music icons Elbow have today been added to Scarborough Open Air Theatre’s stellar line-up for Summer 2022.

Fresh from releasing their seventh UK Top 10 album – the stunning Flying Dream 1 – Elbow are delighted to announce they will play Britain’s biggest outdoor concert arena on Saturday July 9.

Tickets go on general sale via www.scarboroughopenairtheatre.com at 9am on Friday December 10.

Few bands make it to their ninth studio album. And should they achieve that landmark even fewer find themselves at their strongest artistically and personally.

Elbow are a group now in their third decade together and the fact Flying Dream 1 – which includes glorious singles The Seldom Seen Kid and Six Words – finds them at their most creative is testament to the strength of the partnership between their four members.

It is a partnership long forged through mutual respect and admiration, close personal ties, and a shared history of believing in the purpose and meaning of their work.

For more than 30 years they have created one of the most remarkable stories in British contemporary music. Formed in Bury in the 1990s when all the members were together at sixth form college, Elbow’s history now encompasses nine studio albums a long list of awards – including a BRIT and Ivor Novello Award – and a place in the roll call of great British bands.

Their live shows are the stuff of legend – none more so than their unforgettable headline performance on Glastonbury’s Pyramid stage in 2011 – which was rated as ‘one of the all-time greats’ (The Guardian).

2022 is set to be the biggest and best year ever at Scarborough OAT with headliners including Lionel Richie, Lewis Capaldi, Bryan Adams, The Script, Simply Red, Crowded House and Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, plus many more.

Scarborough OAT venue programmer Peter Taylor, of promoters Cuffe and Taylor, said: “2022 just gets better and better here at Scarborough Open Air Theatre!

“We are beyond delighted to announce both Elbow will be joining our stellar list of headliners next summer.

“They are simply one of the best bands Britain has produced in the last 30 years. Their live shows are truly stunning, and this is going to be a really special night when we welcome them here on July 9.”

For more information about all show and tickets go to www.scarboroughopenairtheatre.com