Legendary Singer-Songwriter To Perform At Blackpool’s Grand

25th October 2010

Categories: Press Releases - Latest

The Grand’s Studio Blues 2010 season continues with legendary Nick Harper on Thursday 4th November

UK singer and songwriter Nick Harper performs at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre Studio venue on Thursday 4th November as part of Studio Blues 2010.

Son of the legendary UK singer-songwriter Roy Harper, Nick was born in London and raised in Wiltshire. Having played the guitar from the age of 10 and surrounded by the likes of Keith Moon, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and Dave Gilmour as he grew up, it was no surprise when Nick made his recording debut on his father's Whatever Happened to Jugula? in 1985.

Nick's talent and energy entranced Roy's fans and it was inevitable that he would begin touring and recording in his own right. The 1994 EP Light at the End of the Kennel was swiftly followed by his powerful 1995 debut album Seed.

In 1996 Nick met Squeeze frontman and songwriter Glenn Tilbrook. Tilbrook was so impressed that he offered Nick a job playing with and supporting Squeeze and promptly signed Nick to his own label, Quixotic Records. Following tours in the UK, USA and Japan, Nick recorded the 1998 album Smithereens with Tilbrook as producer. This album and subsequent 40-date solo tour, including dates in New York and Glastonbury, confirmed Nick as a formidable talent in his own right.

Nick teamed up with Tilbrook again on 2000's highly acclaimed album Harperspace. This is the album that confirmed his position at the forefront of a new generation of British acoustic performers. To call Nick a superlative singer/songwriter could put his highly lauded guitar talent in the shade, and to call him a guitarist's guitarist might slight his distinctive, soulful voice and passionate songs. Not forgetting the wild ride that is one of his live shows - from personal introspection to biting political satire via a charmingly caustic wit that would make Groucho Marx proud. His talent and showmanship were recognised in 2003 with a Herald Fringe Angel award for excellence in live music during his Edinburgh Festival run.

After 6 studio albums, a double live CD and 2 EPs (including Instrumental, a stunning display of his guitar talents), Nick's work is still as fresh and vital as that of his first solo release in 1994. The recently released sixth studio album, Miracles For Beginners, was a return to a more stripped-down acoustic based style, from the folk tale of the meeting of King Henry 8th and Francis 1st in 1520 in The Field Of The Cloth Of Gold, to a beautiful latin tinged paean to the Bolivian President Evo Morales in Evo. But, as with his highly personal 2004 "family album" Blood Songs, he still has time to sing about the most important things in his world - family, friends, love, life.

See Nick Harper on his The Last Guitar Tour in the Lawrence House Studio at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre on Thursday 4th November at 8pm. Tickets are just £10; call the Box Office on 01253 290190 or visit www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk to book your tickets or at the Grand Theatre information sales point in the Houndshill Shopping Centre.

Studio Blues 2010 continues with Rod Demick on Friday 12th November and Tom Hingley on Friday 19th November.

All seats just £10 for each evening.

Studio Blues 2010 Linked Ticket available - £18 for two shows, £27 for three shows.