Rhodes Media Blogs

Two of the UK’s most popular rising artists will support Stereophonics when they headline Lancashire’s Lytham Festival this summer.

The uber talented singer-songwriters Tom Grennan and Jade Bird will both perform support slots ahead of the Stereophonics gig on Thursday July 11.

The announcement comes after Lytham Festival has experienced its highest demand for tickets ever. 2019 marks the 10^th anniversary of the five-day live music event and promoters are heralding it the biggest ever with legendary rock star Rod Stewart, international pop star Kylie Minogue, 80s synth-pop band The Human League and Hollywood Proms featuring Michael Ball and Sheridan Smith all set to headline alongside Welsh rockers Stereophonics.

And the addition of Tom Grennan and Jade Bird to the Stereophonics bill is set to be a huge hit.

Festival director Peter Taylor said: “The reaction to this year’s Lytham Festival continues to be phenomenal. We’ve had amazing artists over the years, but we’ve never had a full line up as strong as we do for 2019.

“To now be adding both Tom Grennan and Jade Bird as the support artists for Stereophonics is brilliant. Both artists are enjoying massive success and are clearly destined for incredible careers.

“Tom and Jade are amazingly talented artists and I am confident they will go down a storm at Lytham.”

Tom Grennan released his debut album Lightning Matches last summer reaching number 5 in the UK charts and it became the biggest selling album of a newly signed male artist of 2018. A sold-out autumn headline tour followed while Tom was also nominated as Best Breakthrough Act in the Q Awards.

Rave reviews have followed Tom since with descriptions including “a voice that’s somewhere between Paolo Nutini and Finley Quite with the swagger of Liam Gallagher.”

For Jade Bird the last couple of years have been somewhat of a whirlwind. Her debut EP Something American was launched in 2017 and she toured the States. Last year she was a finalist for the BBC Sound Of award and her debut album (recorded at Woodstock) is due out in Spring.

Rolling Stone have described Jade’s music as “a young Londoner’s spin on modern Americana” while Jade herself says she’s “kind of country, kind of blues, kind of pop and kind of none of that”.

Tickets for Lytham Festival are on sale now from www.lythamfestival.com

Rod Stewart is adding more dates to his 2019 UK tour.

Due to the huge demand for the previously announced shows, Rod will now play an extra three winter arena dates to supplement the outdoor stadium and indoor arena dates already announced in support of the release of his 30^th studio album Blood Red Roses which debuted at number 1.

The extra shows are:

Sat 23 November – Manchester, Manchester Arena

Weds 11 December – Leeds, First Direct Arena

Fri 13 December – Birmingham, Arena Birmingham

Tickets for the additional dates go on general sale at 9am Friday February 22 from www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Rod Stewart Live in Concert has already announced 18 dates with headline shows at football stadiums, outdoor venues and arenas across England and Scotland from May through to July and November through to December including two shows at London’s O2.

The fully seated tour is being promoted by Cuffe and Taylor whose director Peter Taylor said: “Rod Stewart continues to wow fans both old and new across the world. The demand for his UK shows in 2019 has been phenomenal so we are delighted to be adding a further three dates to what is going to be a magnificent tour.

“These winter arena dates compliment what is mostly an outdoor summer tour and we can’t wait to get back on the road to witness hundreds of thousands of people enjoying the most incredible night watching Rod perform live.”

With his signature voice, style and songwriting, Rod Stewart has transcended all genres of popular music, from rock, folk, soul, R&B, and even the American standards; making him one of the few stars to enjoy chart-topping albums throughout every decade of his career.

Rod’s 2019 shows promise to be filled with both classics and new hits in his dazzling signature style. As one of the best-selling artists in the history of recorded music, with more than 200 million records sold worldwide, his performance will include show stopping classics from his glittering career as well as new album Blood Red Roses – a deeply personal 13-track collection of originals and three covers.

Rod has earned countless of the industry’s highest awards, among them, two inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the ASCAP Founders Award for songwriting, New York Times bestselling author, Grammy™ Living Legend, and in 2016 he officially became ‘Sir Rod Stewart’ after being knighted by Prince William at Buckingham Palace for his services to music and charity.

Tickets for the additional dates go on general sale at 9am Friday February 22 from www.ticketmaster.co.uk

British music legends Madness are bringing their 40^th anniversary celebrations to Scarborough Open Air Theatre this summer.

Fresher of face and fleeter of foot than ever, it’s hard to believe 2019 will mark four decades since a rag tag of self-proclaimed ‘hoolies and urchins’ first emerged, gloriously unreconstructed, from the back streets of Camden Town fusing reggae, punk and pop on their classic debut album ‘One Step Beyond’.

Now in the 40^th year of their near-Imperial reign over popular music, 2019 sees a raft of activity including a not-to-be-missed show at Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Friday July 19.

Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday February 22^nd via www.scarboroughopenairtheatre.com

Talking about the band’s landmark year, vocalist Suggs said: “We’ve seen off eight Prime Ministers, 12 England managers and a nasty bout of lumbago. But, it’s not the endless achievements, not the unforgettable memories, it’s the fact we’re even still alive! (and miraculously in the rudest of health, thanks for asking.) Raise your glasses, lower your swords ‘arise sir Madness!’ Get stuck in! Here’s to the next 40!”

The Scarborough OAT date will be a glorious Yorkshire coast return for Madness who last rocked Britain’s biggest open-air arena in 2017. The show is presented by Cuffe and Taylor whose director Peter Taylor said: “Madness are quite simply one of the most successful British bands of all time and an unmissable live act.

“Over the last 40 years they have written some of the nation’s best-loved pop anthems and every gig they play is a celebration. We are delighted to be able to bring this truly unique and deeply cherished band back to Scarborough as part of their 40^th anniversary celebrations.”

Madness – Chris Foreman (guitar), Mike Barson (keyboards), Lee Thompson (saxophone), Graham “Suggs” McPherson (vocals), Dan Woodgate (drums) and Mark Bedford (bass) – have played to millions of fans over the last four decades.

Formed in Camden, they have chalked up 15 UK Top 10 singles – including the timeless Our House, It Must Be Love, One Step Beyond, My Girl, Wings Of A Dove and Baggy Trousers – together with seven Top 10 albums.

Their 11^th studio album – 2016’s critically acclaimed Can’t Touch Us Now, featuring the hit single Mr Apples, instantly went Top 5 on its release.

Madness are currently beavering away in the studio on new material for release later this year, together with a series of massive gigs around the country. They play North London’s Kenwood House on June 15^th, joined by a full orchestra. Then, on August 26^th, they headline their own ‘House Of Common’ festival on South London’s Clapham Common.

2019 also sees the autobiography “Before We Was We – the Making Of Madness By Madness” hit the shelves. It tells the story of how Madness became Madness, how six unlikely lads become one of the most successful British Pop bands of all time, tracing the band members individual stories up to the start of their meteoric rise in 1979.

 Tickets for Madness at Scarborough Open Air Theatre go on sale at 9am on Friday February 22^nd via www.scarboroughopenairtheatre.com or in person from Scarborough Open Air Theatre Box Office (01723 818111) and the Discover Yorkshire Coast Tourism Bureau (01723 383636).

Haçienda Classical – the stunning live music event which brings the iconic sounds and unique atmosphere of the legendary club – is heading to Scarborough Open Air Theatre this summer.

The critically acclaimed show, which has been a smash hit with clubbers and dance music fans since its debut in 2016, will headline the UK’s biggest open air arena on Saturday June 8.

Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday February 8 from www.scarboroughopenairtheatre.com

Support on the night comes from Manchester techno pioneers 808 State and a DJ set from music legend, and founding member of Joy Division and New Order, Peter Hook.

Haçienda Classical has a new set for 2019, curated by legendary DJ Graeme Park, Executive Producer Peter Hook, and Musical Director Tim Crooks.

This will again include orchestral renditions of the much-loved classic club records from The Haçienda’s heritage, revisiting some of the tracks that have proved popular with fans as well as bringing new additions and arrangements of seminal tracks to the set.

Over its three years to date, Haçienda Classical concerts have brought together a mixed crowd and lively atmosphere at events which see the set played as a continuous live DJ mix where vocalists, choir, orchestra and guests all combine creating a vibrant, exciting performance.

Graeme Park said: “I’m thrilled that we’ll be continuing the Haçienda Classical journey into 2019 and I’m already digging deep to find some new tracks for the new show. There are also some tracks from previous years that I’m keen to bring back and to make even better based on everything we’ve learned with all the incredible gigs so far. I’m determined to make next year’s show even more exciting than we’ve had before.”

Hacienda Classical’s show at Scarborough Open Air Theatre is presented by Cuffe and Taylor. Director Peter Taylor said: “This is going to be a sensational night at Scarborough OAT. We have worked with Haçienda Classical before and it is a truly stunning show.

“The beauty of Haçienda Classical is that it has such a wide appeal. Whether you are a regular clubber, you want to reminisce about your youth or you enjoy the appeal of something completely new presented by magnificently talented musicians – without a doubt this will be a spectacular and not to be missed night at Scarborough OAT.”

The show has well outperformed any expectations at the outset and has seen tremendous reactions from audiences and critics many of who have awarded the show five stars, even at the very first Bridgewater Hall show, The Times gave it top marks declaring that “the atmosphere was incredible.”

Similar rave reviews followed from the first Royal Albert Hall visit as NME called it “Probably the best rave since 1997″ whilst Mixmag termed the event. “a near two-hour blend of house music’s greatest players with an audience dancing and singing from the off.”

Haçienda Classical has continued to receive 5-star reviews from the like of The Independent – “It doesn’t get much better than this. A powerful, poignant performance.” – and its hometown paper, Manchester Evening News.

“The Hacienda made Manchester the centre of the clubbing universe in its 80’s and 90’s heyday and surely what this night proves is that much of that success was down to the people inside it”

Hacienda Classical’s biggest single audience to date came as it opened Glastonbury’s Festival’s Pyramid Stage in June 2017 and other festival appearances including Isle Of Wight, Kendal Calling The Big Feastival, Kew The Music, Lytham Festival as well as individual concerts at London’s Royal Albert Hall and Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl selling out

For audiences, these inspirational nights have recreated the tunes that defined a generation for a whole new set of fans, renewing them and rearranging them with the orchestra and artists to create a special and unique experience.

With improvement year on year, 2019’s incarnation for Hacienda Classical promises to be the very best so far.

 Tickets for Haçienda Classical at Scarborough Open Air Theatre show go on sale at 9am on Friday February 8 via www.scarboroughopenairtheatre.com or in person from Scarborough Open Air Theatre Box Office (01723 818111) and the Discover Yorkshire Coast Tourism Bureau (01723 383636).

This summer, entertainer extraordinaire John Barrowman will tour England, Scotland, and Wales celebrating his 30 years on stage and screen with favourite songs and fabulous stories from his life and career.

Barrowman is a singer, actor, dancer, presenter, judge and author. Most recently, UK audiences delighted in supporting him as he made the final three in ITV’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here 2018.

Speaking about the tour he said: “I can’t believe it’s been 30 years from my West End debut in Anything Goes to my Australian jungle adventures in I’m A Celebrity, and there’s been lots of fabulousness in between.

“I’m thrilled to celebrate this amazing milestone with my FABULOUS tour. I’m looking forward to meeting fans and sharing some of my favourite moments with you all.”

Tickets go on sale at 10am Wednesday, January 23 from  www.cuffeandtaylor.com

The tour opens at the Savoy Theatre in London’s West End on Sunday, June 16, and will play the following dates:

Tues 18 June Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall

Weds 19 June Edinburgh, Usher Hall

Thurs 20 June Newcastle, City Hall

Sat 22 June Southend, Cliffs Pavilion

Mon 24 June Liverpool, Philharmonic Hall

Weds 26 June Norwich, The Theatre Royal

Thurs 27 June Brighton, Dome Concert Hall

Fri 28 June Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall

Sun 30 June Birmingham, Symphony Hall

Mon 1 July Salford, The Lowry (Lyric Theatre)

Tues 2 July Cardiff, St David’s Hall

Weds 3 July Cardiff, St David’s Hall

Born in Glasgow, John moved to the USA as a child, and now splits his time between Palm Springs in the USA, Cardiff and London.

He rose to fame starring as Billy Crocker opposite Elaine Paige in the musical Anything Goes at the National Theatre in 1989. He has since starred in West End productions of Miss Saigon, The Phantom of The Opera and Sunset Boulevard – reprising the role of Joe Gillis on Broadway. He was Olivier Award-nominated for his role in The Fix, and most recently in the West End he appeared as Albin/Zaza in La Cage Aux Folles in 2009.

On screen, John has appeared in five seasons of the hit American drama Arrow – based on the Green Arrow comic books – as Malcolm Merlyn (The Dark Archer), hosted Channel 4’s game show for dogs Superstar Dogs and The Small Animal Hospital, and guest-starred on ABC’s Desperate Housewives.

Perhaps his most famous TV role to date has been as the sci-fi hero, Captain Jack Harkness, in Doctor Who and its spin-off Torchwood. The show received BBC America’s best-ever viewing figures and was broadcast around the world.

As a presenter, John has hosted his own prime-time Saturday night BBC show Tonight’s The Night, making people’s performance dreams come true. He also presented The Kids Are All Right, BBC’s Live and Kicking, and Children in Need.

John’s stage stardom saw him served him well as a judge on BBC1’s Saturday night West End talent search shows, How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, Any Dream Will Do, and I’d Do Anything. Earlier in his career, John competed in the first series of ITV’s Dancing on Ice and won the 2010 Christmas special of Strictly Come Dancing.

His last UK tour followed his 2014 album, You Raise Me Up. Previous tours followed albums Another Side, Music Music Music, John Barrowman, and The Very Best Of John Barrowman.

In collaboration with his sister Carole Barrowman, John has published two volumes of his autobiography (Anything Goes and I Am What I Am), the Hollow Earth and Orion Chronicles trilogies, Exodus Code (a Torchwood novel), Station Zero and The Culling (Torchwood comics), The Dark Archer (DC Comics), and Acursian (Legendary Comics).

Children’s and youth choirs from across the country are being given the opportunity to perform alongside Royal wedding gospel singers The Kingdom Choir on their UK tour.

The Kingdom Choir became a household name following the stunning performance of Stand By Me at the wedding of HRH Prince Harry and the Duchess Of Sussex last May.

And now children’s and youth choirs are being given the opportunity to perform with the gospel stars on their 18-date national tour in April and May.

To be in with a chance of performing with The Kingdom Choir, choirs must send a YouTube link to one of their performances and complete the application form HERE.

Karen Gibson, conductor of The Kingdom Choir, said: “Being part of the Royal Wedding was such an honour and we were delighted to be part of such a prestigious national day of celebration.

“As we tour the UK in 2019, we can’t wait to meet people across the country – especially young singers.

“Last year was like an un-dreamt dream – one that you wouldn’t even consider, because you never thought it could happen to you. We want to share our experience and dreams, and hopefully inspire a new generation of singers.”

The 18-date UK tour in April and May includes a first anniversary celebration at the Royal Albert Hall in London, a year to the day after the wedding at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.

Tickets are on sale now from www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.cuffeandtaylor.com

Following the Royal Wedding performance, The Kingdom Choir has made high profile appearances across UK TV networks as well as closing the Invictus Games in Sydney in October.

The choir has also released its debut album Stand By Me via Sony, which features the title track as performed at the Royal Wedding, as well as versions of Beyoncé’s Halo, John Legend’s All Of Me and Stormzy’s Blinded By Your Grace Part 2. It also includes original track Chases, written by members of The Kingdom Choir.

The choir consists of seasoned male and female vocalists, chosen for their high-quality delivery of choral meets gospel. They’ve been featured in the film Tube Tales, the TV series Maisie Raine, an Orange advert, and alongside the BBC Philharmonic for the Radio 4 Easter Sunday Worship.

The choir’s rendition of Stand By Me went straight in at Number 1 on the Billboard Gospel Songs Chart after the wedding and received more than 10 million views on YouTube.

The choir was founded in 1994 London by award-winning conductor Karen Gibson. The singers, from in and around London, draw from various Christian traditions and are dedicated to creating a sound that demonstrates the community they share through their warm energy and enthusiastic performance. Prior to performing in front of almost two billion people at the Royal Wedding, the largest audience The Kingdom Choir had performed to was just 200 people.

The Kingdom Choir’s debut album Stand By Me is available now via Sony Music.

Michael Jackson fans are set to be wowed when the UK’s ultimate tribute to the King of Pop heads out on tour for 2019 with more than 40 dates already secured.

Michael starring Ben is touring the length and breadth of the country in the year that marks  10 years since the death of the legendary musician and showman.

The show is a celebration of Micheal Jackson’s life and work as arguably one of the most influential entertainers in the world.

The tour includes a date at London’s Indigo At O2, under the same roof where Michael Jackson was scheduled to play his This Is It residency in 2009.

Catch Michael starring Ben as it visits towns and cities across the country, starting at The Forum in Bath in January, and including Manchester, Southampton, Leicester, Plymouth and Glasgow plus many more, throughout the year.

Tickets are on sale now from www.cuffeandtaylor.com

Ben Bowman, who not only looks and sounds like Michael Jackson, has honed his routine so impeccably that audiences believe they are watching their hero.

Ben was just eight-years-old when he saw his musical hero live in concert. Already a devoted fan, the experience was to seal his fate as he embarked on a life-long career as a tribute artist to the star.

Some 25 years later, Ben is in demand across the world for his shows which have been hailed as the most exciting tribute of the King of Pop to have ever toured UK theatres.

With an incredible live band, stunning costumes, iconic dance routines and of course, the inimitable Ben, the show delivers the most authentic, lively and powerful re-creation of the iconic superstar that audiences will see anywhere.

Speaking about the show and his hero, Ben said: “I was always enchanted by how people reacted to Michael, the way they screamed and became hysterical. I love that we, as a team, are able to provoke that kind of reaction from a crowd. I love the screaming crying girls! They’re my favourite!

“I feel so honoured to have been able to use my talent here on earth to channel Michael’s legacy and I will do it for as long as I possibly can in homage to him making me the person I am today.”

Michael Starring Ben features not only the greatest hits of Michael Jackson but also The Jackson 5. The show includes Thriller, Beat It, Billie Jean, Man In The Mirror and many more. Michael Starring Ben brings together a fresh blend mixing elements of Jackson’s own stage shows with exciting new arrangements combined with a stunning light show to create the perfect celebration of Michael and his music.

Michael Starring Ben – Tour Dates 2019

JAN  

Fri 11th BATH, THE FORUM

Sat 12th CARDIFF, ST DAVIDS HALL

Sat 19th BILLINGHAM, BILLINGHAM FORUM

FEB   

Sat 16th SALISBURY, CITY HALL

Thu 28th HUDDERSFIELD, TOWN HALL

Fri 22nd MALVERN, FORUM THEATRE

MAR   

Fri 8th MANCHESTER, BRIDGEWATER HALL

Fri 22nd GRANTHAM, MERES LIVE

Sat 23rd SOUTHAMPTON, O2 GUILDHALL

Thu 28th NEW BRIGHTON, FLORAL PAVILION THEATRE

APR

Thu 11th NOTTINGHAM, ROYAL CONCERT HALL

Fri 12th TUNBRIDGE WELLS, ASSEMBLEY HALL THEATRE

Sat 13th WARRINGTON, PYRAMID & PARR HALL

JUNE

Fri 21st LONDON, INDIGO AT O2

Fri 28th DONCASTER, THE DOME

Sat 29th DORKING, DORKING HALLS

JULY    

Mon 8th DARLINGTON, DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

AUGUST

Thu 15^th SOUTHEND, CLIFFS PAVILION

Thu 22^nd ABERDEEN, MUSIC HALL

SEPTEMBER  

Fri 6th WINCHESTER, GUILDHALL

Thu 12^th WOKING, NEW VICTORIA THEATRE

Sat 14th MARGATE, WINTER GARDENS

Fri 20th LEICESTER, DE MONFORT HALL

Sat 21st EASTBOURNE, ROYAL HIPPOPDROME THEATRE

Thu 26th CAMBRIDGE, CORN EXCHANGE

Fri 27th DUNFERMLINE, ALHAMBRA THEATRE

Sat 28th CARLISLE, THE SANDS CENTRE

Sun 29th CROYDON, ASHCROFT THEATRE

OCTOBER   

Fri 4th HIGH WYCOMBE, WYCOMBE SWAN

Sat 5th PLYMOUTH, PLYMOUTH PAVILIONS

Thu 10th HORSHAM, CAPITOL THEATRE

Fri 11th BOURNEMOUTH, PAVILION THEATRE

Sat 12th PORTSMOUTH, KINGS THEATRE

Wed 16th EDINBURGH, USHER HALL

Thu 17th NEWCASTLE, CITY HALL

Fri 18th DERBY, ARENA

Sat 19th IPSWICH, REGENT THEATRE

Thu 24th LLANDUDNO, VENUE CYMRU

Fri 25th BARROW, THE FORUM

Sat 26th HARROGATE, ROYAL HALL

Tue 29th LIVERPOOL, EMPIRE THEATRE

NOVEMBER   

Fri 1st HODDESDON, THE SPOTLIGHT

Fri 8th OXFORD, NEW THEATRE

Sat 9th HULL, BONUS ARENA

Sat 16th STOKE ON TRENT, VICTORIA HALL

Wed 20th GLASGOW, KING’S THEATRE

Fri 22nd BRADFORD, ST GEORGES HALL

Sat 23^rd DUDLEY, TOWN HALL

Thu 28th WORTHING, ASSEMBLEY HALL

Fri 29th LLANELLI, Y FFWRNES

Football fans and shoppers were today urged to support Fylde coast youngsters as part of a ground-breaking new project.

Fleetwood Town FC Community Trust has teamed up with leading retailer Co-op to raise funds for vital community work aimed at improving the lives of local schoolchildren.

The Co-op’s Local Community Fund helps support projects across the UK and since its launch in 2016, Co-op members have raised almost £40 million for more than 12,000 local causes.

FTFC Community Trust – the charitable arm of Fleetwood Town FC – will now use money raised through the fund to provide an in-school programme which focusses on improving the health and well-being of youngsters in Fleetwood.

All shoppers need to do to support the cause is become a Co-op member, select FTFC Community Trust as their preferred charity and then one per cent of everything they spend on Co-op branded products or services in local stores will go to the Trust.

The Trust will use the money to engage with primary schools within Fleetwood and Wyre that suffer from high levels of social and economic deprivation.

This will include Year 6 boys and girls, their siblings, parents and teachers, and will lead to the sharing of resources and good practice through a celebration event at the end of the project.

Matt Hilton, Chief Executive of FTFC CT, said: “We are delighted to be teaming up with the Co-op for an initiative designed to help young people in Wyre.

“All funding raised will go towards delivering a mental health programme that aims to increase awareness of emotional, health and well-being issues by building character and resilience in children.

“The programme, which will be delivered to local primary schools by a team of community trust staff, is also designed to build confidence and aspiration in order that youngsters can achieve.

“If you are a Co-op member then please select FTFC Community Trust as your preferred charity because every time you shop you will be helping local youngsters. Every penny will help, and we cannot thank the Co-op and its customers enough.”

Rebecca Birkbeck, Director of Community Engagement at the Co-op, said:  “Since the launch of the local community fund our members have helped 12,000 organisations to make a positive difference in their neighbourhoods, and in the last 12 months alone we have invested £19m in local causes.

“The fund is now supporting a wide variety of local organisations, from community trusts like Fleetwood Town FC to education providers and neighbourhood watch schemes, all of which are helping to make the Fylde coast a better, happier, and healthier place to live.”

You can become a Co-op member in store, by calling the membership helpline on 0800 023 4708 or online at www.coop.co.uk/membership

Royal wedding gospel singers The Kingdom Choir are heading out on a UK tour in 2019.

The Kingdom Choir became a household name following the stunning performance of Stand By Me at the wedding of HRH Prince Harry and the Duchess Of Sussex last May.

And now the choir is heading out on an 18-date tour across England, Scotland and Wales in April and May next year including a first anniversary celebration at the Royal Albert Hall in London, a year to the day after the wedding at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.

Tickets are on sale now from www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.cuffeandtaylor.com.

Following the Royal Wedding performance, The Kingdom Choir has made high profile appearances across UK TV networks as well as closing the Invictus Games in Sydney in October. Last month the choir released its debut album Stand By Me via Sony, which features the title track as performed at the Royal Wedding, as well as versions of Beyoncé’s Halo, John Legend’s All Of Me and Stormzy’s Blinded By Your Grace Part 2. It also includes original track Chases, written by members of The Kingdom Choir.

Karen Gibson, conductor of The Kingdom Choir, said: “The Kingdom Choir is absolutely delighted with the journey of the past few months! It’s been a rollercoaster, but we wouldn’t have it any other way – first, the honour of being able to sing at the Royal Wedding, then the thrill of being signed to Sony, and now a national tour!

“It’s like an un-dreamt dream – one that you wouldn’t even consider, because you never thought it could happen to you. We’re very grateful and very excited about what’s to come.”

The choir consists of seasoned male and female vocalists, chosen for their high-quality delivery of choral meets gospel. They’ve been featured in the film Tube Tales, the TV series Maisie Raine, an Orange advert, and alongside the BBC Philharmonic for the Radio 4 Easter Sunday Worship.

The choir’s rendition of Stand By Me went straight in at Number 1 on the Billboard Gospel Songs Chart after the wedding and received more than 10 million views on YouTube.

The choir was founded in 1994 London by award-winning conductor Karen Gibson. The singers, from in and around London, draw from various Christian traditions and are dedicated to creating a sound that demonstrates the community they share through their warm energy and enthusiastic performance. Prior to performing in front of almost two billion people at the Royal Wedding, the largest audience The Kingdom Choir had performed to was just 200 people.

The Kingdom Choir’s debut album Stand By Me is available now via Sony Music.

Critically acclaimed international stage sensation Whitney – Queen of the Night is to get its West End premiere with an exclusive performance.

It is announced today the stunning celebration of the music and life of one of the greatest singers of our time will be at The Savoy Theatre on Sunday March 24.

Tickets go on sale at 10am Friday December 7 from www.thesavoytheatre.com  

Whitney – Queen Of The Night will star Elesha Paul Moses (Whitney – Queen Of The Night tour, What’s Love Got To Do With It?, The Voice, The X Factor) in the title role, supported by a stunning live band.

The outstanding concert production has toured extensively across the UK and Europe for the past three years and promoters Cuffe and Taylor are delighted to be giving the show its West End premiere.

The Savoy audience can enjoy three decades of nostalgic hits, including I Wanna Dance With Somebody, One Moment In Time, I’m Every Woman, I Will Always Love You, My Love Is Your Love, So Emotional Baby, Run to You, Saving All My Love, How Will I Know, Million Dollar Bill, The Greatest Love Of All, and many more.

Speaking about playing Whitney Houston, Elesha said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be bringing Whitney – Queen Of The Night to the West End. It is a magnificent show, celebrating the life and music of a phenomenal performer.

“I’ve toured with the production in the past, and now to step into the limelight and perform as Whitney on the West End stage singing these incredible songs is an amazing opportunity, and one I’m really looking forward to.”

Ben Hatton, Cuffe and Taylor Director of Theatre Touring, added: “We are delighted to be giving Whitney – Queen Of The Night its West End premiere. This is a stunning show and The Savoy is the perfect theatre to present this to a West End audience.”

Before her death in 2012, Whitney had been hailed as the most awarded artist of all time, by Guinness World Records – with six Grammy Awards and 30 Billboard Music Awards among her 415 titles.

Whitney – Queen Of The Night is an unmissable evening paying homage to one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with a sensational cast and a stunning live band.