A massive thank you to everyone who came along to the Roundhouse shows
last weekend, and helped to make the weekend such a memorable occasion.
We're touched by all your kind comments and support.
Special thanks to our excellent guest vocalists on Saturday night -
George, Sandy, Kim, Green, Midge, Shingai, David, Polly, Billie, Kate,
Kelly, our support Mark Jones and 2manydjs, and of course, our very
own Glenn!
See you very soon...
MW x
Photo: Fedja Vukic
B.E.F. is back!
British Electric Foundation releases it's 1981 - 2011 Retrospective Box Set today.
The Box Set comprises all previously released B.E.F. material, together with some rarities and new mixes, along with a taster from the forthcoming "Music of Quality & Distinction Vol. 3: DARK" album.
To mark the release, BBC 6Music aired a brand new documentary on the history and future of British Electric Foundation - you can hear it again HERE
Support acts announced for Roundhouse shows!
We can now announce that the support DJs getting the party started at the Roundhouse shows will be as follows:
Heaven 17 - October 14th Heaven 17 proudly presents Mark Jones (Wall of Sound)
- spinning his usual eclectic set of 80s tunes and beyond... B.E.F. - October 15th B.E.F. proudly presents: 2manydjs (DJ Set)
- a special and unique 80s set from the world famous DJ team
So get your dancing shoes on and we'll see you at the Roundhouse! Not long now...
Glenn and Martyn will be hosting their very own Radio show throughout September on Absolute 80s.
This will take place every Sunday in September from 8pm-9pm.
The boys will will be spinning some of their favourite electronic tunes from the 80s and discussing their influence of the music of Heaven 17 and B.E.F. in advance of the Roundhouse shows next month.
They will be joined by guests including Kim Wilde, Green Gartside & Claudia Brucken - so don't forget to tune in!
Plans for both the Heaven 17 "Luxury Gap" and British Electric Foundation Roundhouse shows are well under way, and we have some exciting news to follow soon about support acts and newly added special guests. Watch this space for updates.
Some tickets are still available for both nights HERE
Episode 2 of Glenn and Martyn's podcast OUT NOW
The second installment of the Heaven 17 internet radio show hosted by Glenn Gregory and Martyn Ware is available to listen to now at Ditto TV.
This episode is called "Music For Getting Ready To Go Out To", and is guaranteed to get your weekend off to a banging start!
Today's The Day….Glenn and Mart present their new internet radio show 'Music For…'
Episode 1 –' Music For Growing Up To'
Glenn Gregory and Martyn Ware have the kind of taste buds that can only be developed through years of enthusiasm and curiosity. The results are evident in their spectacular output under their various creative monikers, be it Heaven 17 or The British Electronic Foundation. They are also manifested in their extraordinary record collections – something they have fortunately decided is also too good to keep to themselves.
Ahead of October's eagerly anticipated BEF festival at London's Roundhouse, ditto are proud to announce the launch of Martyn and Glenn's brand new monthly radio show, "Music for…"
Comprising tracks from their enviably eclectic collection, interspersed with mutual heckling, the laugh-out-loud show invites the listener on a tour of musical intrigue, combining classics you know and love with hidden gems from established artists and breaking acts.
Ever committed to shining a light new talent, Music for… features the segment Found on Soundcloud, in which Glenn and Martyn share the discoveries they can't get enough of. To submit your own or anyone else's new tunes of any colour or hue, email musicfor@ditto.tv
The first instalment is available now exclusively on Radio ditto at www.ditto.tv/musicfor/
The only question is why they didn't do it sooner?
BRTISH ELECTRIC FOUNDATION present:
FRIDAY 14th OCTOBER: Heaven 17 - The Luxury Gap LIVE
SATURDAY 15th OCTOBER: B.E.F. "Music of Quality and Distinction" LIVE
We're very pleased to announce that, following the success of Heaven 17's Penthouse and Pavement 30th Anniversary Tour, the British Electric Foundation is proud to present 'Music of Quality and Distinction Live' - a two day festival at London's prestigious Roundhouse venue celebrating 30 years of seminal electronic music and unique collaborations.
The two day festival will feature a major concert each night. Friday 14th October will include the world premiere of Heaven 17's 1983 album The Luxury Gap performed for the first time. Saturday 15th October will be the first ever live show by B.E.F. featuring collaborative tracks from their "Music of Quality and Distinction" albums, and featuring guest vocals from Elly Jackson (LaRoux), Green Gartside (Scritti Politti), Shingai Shoniwa (Noisettes), Boy George (Culture Club), Midge Ure (Ultravox), Andy Bell (Erasure), Glenn Gregory (Heaven 17), Sandie Shaw, Polly Scattergood and Kim Wilde... plus more names to be announced soon.
Thanks for all your encouragement and love in 2010 – helping to make this year the most astounding year ever for Heaven 17 – we are eternally grateful.
We have lots of exciting plans ahead for 2011 – watch this space
Have a fantastic Christmas and a happy, healthy and successful New Year from all at H17HQ
In last weekend's Observer, Heaven 17 discussed their return to the limelight, and taking ther debut album, Penthouse & Pavement, on tour in the UK for the very first time. You can see a video of this interview online now
H17 cheered on Later with Jools Holland
Heaven 17 played both "(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang" and "Temptation" to a rapturous response from the studio audience on the BBC 2 show last week. You can watch the whole show again on the BBC iPlayer
Heaven 17 Live on Later with Jools Holland
Heaven 17 have been confirmed as special guests on Later With Jools Holland. The programme will be transmitted LIVE on Tuesday 19th at 10.00 p.m. on BBC2 and the pre-recorded programme will transmit on Friday 22nd October at 11.45pm on BBC2. Don't Miss
Glenn and Martyn talk candidly about the forthcoming tour, CD Box Set and the making of Penthouse & Pavement, as well as giving a couple of the the newly remastered Penthouse & Pavement tracks an airing.
H17 Radio Interviews
H17 are interviewed “live” on the Funk & Soul Show from 8-8:30pm on BBC 6 Music on Saturday October 2nd. Martyn Ware and Glenn Gregory will do a face to face in-studio interview with Craig Charles in London. H17 are mentioned on the BBC 6 Music web page here – Listen Online.
The band’s interview on BBC Radio 2’s Radcliffe & Maconie Show will now air on Wednesday October 6th at approximately 9:10pm.
H17 are mentioned on the Radio 2 web page here - Listen Online.
Both interviews will discuss Heaven 17’s forthcoming “Penthouse And Pavement” UK Tour which starts on November 22nd, and the release of “Penthouse And Pavement: The Collector’s Edition” a 3-disc set released on November 22nd by EMI Records.
A limited edition of 100 copies of Heaven 17's 2004 "Before / After" CD has been added to the H17 webstore. Each CD is completely unique, featuring a custom artwork created and autographed by the band - some are personal photographs from the band's archive or from recent touring. Each copy is numbered and comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by the band.
You can purchase this limited edition CD while stocks last (only 100 ever made!) at the Heaven 17 Webstore
Heaven 17 Storm BESTIVAL
Heaven 17 put in a great set at Bestival on the Isle of Wight last weekend, kicking off the weekend with a bang. The Big Top tent was packed on the opening night of the festival, as part of Mark Jones' Back To The Phuture line up. Not only was 'And That's No Lie' played for the first time ever, the band were also joined by Elly Jackson of La Roux for a cover of Terence Trent D'Arby's 'Sign Your Name' (a track which Marytn Ware originally produced).
Heaven also joined forces with Elly Jackson for a stint on the Bestival Radio station which aired around site on the day of the show. Hear the show again here.
NUDE release cover of H17's " Let Me Go"
German Big Beat act NUDE have released a high-octane cover of Heaven 17's 1982 single "Let Me Go". The band have gained a lot of attention for their stunning live show, and this is the first new release before their new album. The track and accoanying remixes are available to download at all major digital stores.
Tracklisting:
1. Let Me Go - Radioedit
2. Let Me Go - Extended Edit
3. Let Me Go - Directors cut
4. Let Me Go - The 21ED RMX by Zied Jouini
Martyn and Glenn recently chatted to "The Quietus", a well respected Music website, about the forthcoming Penthouse & Pavement tour, the making of the original album and all sorts of other random topics. It makes a very interesting and entertaining read!
Glenn Gregory triumphed in the sunshine as a special guest with La Roux during their set at Glastonbury festival last weekend, promoting NME to label the duet "Astounding!". Check out the video below. Maybe Elly from La Roux might repay the favour on the forthcoming tour? Watch this space...
Penthouse & Pavement Story on iPlayer
Having aired on the BBC in May to huge public and critical acclaim, The Story of Penthouse & Pavement documentary by Strong Pictures is back by popular demand, and can be seen for the next week on BBC iPlayer. Click here to view.
Heaven 17 vs. La Roux continued....
Following Heaven 17's triumphant BBC 6music session earlier this year with La Roux, the collaboration continues, as Glenn has been invited to perform onstage with La Roux at Glastonbury Festival on Friday 25th June. Keep an eye out on the BBC's televised and radio coverage of the festival.
Come Live With Me
Re-paying the favour, La Roux have included Heaven 17's classic track 'Come Live With Me' on a new compilation album as part of UK label Renaissance’s new Sidetracked series.
The Sidetracked compilation will be released on July 26th in the UK, and will feature 17 songs handpicked by La Roux’s Elly Jackson and Ben Langmaid for their influence on the duo’s music.
Jackson commented on the album in a press release, stating that “Me and Ben enjoyed putting this mix together. It’s a really nice snapshot of both our musical influences. A lot of the tracks on here are songs we listened to while making our album set alongside some new stuff we’re into…”
The band will perform two songs from the Penthouse And Pavement album “Let’s All Make A Bomb” and an acoustic version of “Geisha Boys and Temple Girls.” They will also perform a live version of “Temptation” taken from their album “The Luxury Gap”.
Martyn Ware and Glenn Gregory will select some of there favorite 80s songs by other artists of that era. A few Heaven 17 hits will also be thrown in for good measure including Penthouse And Pavement, Temptation and more.
Tune in from at 12:00 GMT from Monday May 31st to listen to the Happy Hour show with Heaven 17.
Listen out for an exclusive radio session with Heaven 17 on the sister radio station Absolute Radio when the band perform three songs on the Geoff Lloyd Show on Thursday June 10th between 7-8pm. The band will perform Let’s All Make A Bomb, Temptation, and an acoustic version of Geisha Boys and Temple Girls.
Martyn Ware will be Djing at the "Back to the Phuture at Bestival 2010" launch party at Le Beatroute in Soho next Tuesday, May 25th. Tickets are free and can be reserved at: http://crowdsurge.com/backtothephuture
Penthouse & Pavement Documentary BBC2
Watch on BBC iplayer now: Heaven 17: The Story of Penthouse and Pavement
Heaven 17 Live in Concert We're pleased to announce that the documentary about the making of Penthouse & Pavement, and the 30th Anniversary show, is confirmed for transmission: Sunday 16th May on BBC2 at 11.20pm for the concert
Monday 17th May on BBC2 at 11.20pm for the documentary itself
Electro legends Heaven 17 and breakthrough electro artist La Roux join forces at the BBC's Maida Vale studios for a very special session, presented by Steve Lamacq.
The artists play some of their own songs, perform on each other's material and also collaborate on a cover. Three decades ago Heaven 17 were instrumental in the popularisation of electronic music in the UK, and over the last year La Roux have come to prominence as one of today's leading electro torchbearers.
In bringing these artists together, BBC 6 Music illustrates the lineage and influence of the genre from the 1970s through to the present day.
British Electric Foundation presents Heaven 17 performing Penthouse And Pavement live for the very first time
Now, as it was then…from the partnership that’s opening doors all over the world….
In 2010 Heaven 17 will perform their seminal 1981 album of the year ‘Penthouse And Pavement’ live in its entirety for the very first time.
Featuring original members - lead singer Glenn Gregory and synthesist and vocalist Martyn Ware, together with backing vocalist Billie Godfrey, electric guitarist Asa Bennett, Joel Farland on electronic percussion and legendary bass guitarist Randy Hope-Taylor.
Lighting designer Pip Rhodes will coordinate a live digital visual show featuring some of the biggest names and most talented up-and-coming artists from the worlds of digital and graphic design, fine art and film, including graphic designer Malcolm Garrett, Mike Faulkner (D-Fuse), famous artist Tim Head, Brian Duffy (Modified Toy Orchestra), James Strong, Kim Leliboux, Ed Cookson (The Sancho Plan), BAFTA-winning filmmaker Julian Henriques, James Bates (Atom), Ben Tomlinson, Chris Cheeseman, Jonathan Waring (AllThingsUnLtd.) and, of course, Pip Rhodes and Heaven 17 themselves.
The event will be curated from the moment the audience enters the venue, as the LED wall will be showing the visual artists’ interpretations of BEF compositions from the same period, including tracks from BEF albums ‘Music For Stowaways’ and ‘Music Of Quality And Distinction Vol.1’ – and all artists have been allowed to express their interpretations freely with no prior guidance from Heaven 17. The artists contributing to this ‘group show’ will be credited – this will be a world-first multimedia show – part art installation and part concer – the evening culminating with Penthouse And Pavement being performed in its entirety, the two sides punctuated by special BEF performances featuring surprise guest singers.