New Purple Celebration, the band formally known as Purple Rain: A Celebration of Prince, are back with a brand new name but the same brilliantly funky musical extravaganza celebrating the music, life and legacy of Prince.
The fantastic nine-piece band deliver a non-stop, hit packed show, spanning more than two hours. Described by the Basingstoke Observer as “nothing short of a huge party,” expect to see, hear and feel the hits from one of the most loved artists of all time: 1999, Little Red Corvette, Purple Rain, Kiss, Diamonds And Pearls, U Got The Look, When Doves Cry, Cream, I Wanna Be Your Lover and many more…
New Purple Celebration have been together for 13 years. Fronted by founder member Jimi Love (Lead Vocals/Guitar), New Purple Celebration feature Andy T (Bass/Vocals), Amanda B (Drums/Vocals), Tony T (Keys), Emma Blakk (Keys/Vocals), Renato (Keys/Guitar/Vocals), Sheila MG (Trumpet), Yasmin (Alto Sax), N8 H (Tenor Sax).
Says Jimi: “I’ve always tried to avoid being a Prince ‘impersonator’. There was only one Prince, and he was just so far ahead of anyone as a musician and performer, to impersonate him is just an impossible task! This band has always been about playing the music in the spirit of Prince. Yes, we dress up a bit for the vibe, but the fact I’m quite short, play guitar and look a bit like him is just coincidence. We all just love jamming his songs, and introducing his music to new people…the whole thing is about our passion and love for Prince’s music. Since April 21st 2016, the whole thing has taken on new meaning. Every gig is dedicated to Prince now, a celebration of all the gifts he left and the impact he had on so many lives, including mine.”
Jimi explains the band’s change of name: “We felt a little tied to the album Purple Rain, there is so much more to Prince than just that era and we want to do other shows in the future that cover or are themed around different tours and albums. We feel the new name sums up what we are, a musical celebration of love and respect for our hero’s legacy and genius.”
Having enjoyed sell out shows across the UK in 2017, the band have announced a string of dates for 2018. Kicking off in Belfast on 18 May, the tour takes in Dublin, Leeds, Birmingham, Shrewsbury, Bath, Edinburgh, High Wycombe, Reading, Ipswich, Southport, Holmfirth, Newcastle, London, Guildford, Nottingham, Manchester, Chester, Frome, Bristol and Cardiff.
Tour Dates
Friday 18 May BELFAST Limelight
Saturday 19 May DUBLIN Academy
Thursday 16 Aug LEEDS Town Hall
Friday 17 Aug BIRMINGHAM Symphony Hall
Thursday 1 Nov SHREWSBURY Theatre Severn
Friday 2 Nov BATH Komedia
Saturday 3 Nov NORWICH Waterfront
Sunday 4 Nov EDINBURGH Queens Hall
Friday 16 Nov HIGH WYCOMBE Swan Theatre
Thursday 22 Nov READING Hexagon
Tuesday 27 Nov IPSWICH Corn Exchange
Wednesday 28 Nov SOUTHPORT Theatre
Thursday 29 Nov HOLMFIRTH Picturedome
Friday 30 Nov NEWCASTLE City Hall
Tuesday 11 Dec GUILDFORD G Live
Thursday 13 Dec LONDON Scala
Friday 14 Dec NOTTINGHAM Rock City
Saturday 15 Dec MANCHESTER Albert Hall
Monday 17 Dec CHESTER The Live Rooms
Tuesday 18 Dec FROME Cheese & Grain
Wednesday 20 Dec BRISTOL The Fleece
Thursday 21 Dec CARDIFF Tramshed
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