Spring Tour 2013!
Cult 70’s symphonic progressive rock act The Enid are to make a return to standing club venues in April and May of this year with special guests Enochian Theory:
Tuesday 23rd April – NEWCASTLE, The Cluny
Wednesday 24th April – GLASGOW, 02 ABC2
Thursday 25th April – MANCHESTER, Ruby Lounge
Friday 10th May – LEICESTER, The Musician
Thursday 30th May – BIRMINGHAM, HMV Institute
Friday 31st May – LONDON, Barfly
Tickets are on sale Monday 11th February at 9 a.m from:
The last few years have seen The Enid play seated venues and festivals throughout Europe, but very much as an underground, and to some extent forgotten, entity. The 1970’s saw the band as a big player in a music scene thriving on the musicianship and creativity that progressive rock had to offer. Now, they are once more getting the recognition they deserve, hand in hand with prog’s return to prominence, having returned with a new line up – still drawn together to this day by Robert John Godfrey, who has this to say:
"In April and May the band will be playing in intimate music clubs on small stages, with a great sound and all of you just inches away from the band; it will remind us of our roots and will be fun for all. These shows will mark our return to standing rock venues after a surge back into the spotlight,crowned by recognition from the Guardian readers in their 2012 top 10 album& tracks poll. We now have a vast repertoire to choose from and we are committed to keep the best of it in play; from the vintage years to the present and beyond.Nothing is off limits."
The album that Guardian readers so rapturously got behind was Invicta – their 13th studio album. It appeared in a top 10 poll populated by much more familiar names to the contemporary ear: Frank Ocean, Tame Impala and 2012’s Mercury Prize Winners, Alt-J. Maintaining the band's tradition for narrative, the record marks the second edition in a planned trilogy of releases, building upon musical motifs of 2010 predecessor, Journey's End.
Exploring the relationship between one and the many, the record aims to interpret wider themes of what humanity is able to achieve as a collective; celebrating greatness yet acknowledging adverse extremes. From the immense choral arrangements of "The Whispering", featuring over 200 vocal layers, contrasted with the hauntingly beautiful solo tones of "One and the Many", Invicta laments on the power of the whole. Individually we are all alone but together we are invincible.
Formed in 1974 by acclaimed composer and pianist, Robert John Godfrey, The Enid are renowned for their large-scale, myth and fantasy-inspired instrumental pieces. In the early 80s The Enid became the first band ever to self-fund their recordings with contributions from fans in advance; a revolutionary concept that has since led to bands as diverse as Marillion and Radiohead taking lead from their approach. Following a break in 1988, Godfrey rediscovered his musical muse five years ago and has since lovingly reformed The Enid with original drummer Dave Storey plus new young recruits, Jason Ducker on guitars, Max Read on vocals and keyboards, Nicholas Willes on bass and percussion and Joe Payne on lead vocals – a line up that spans three generations.