Multi-platinum selling South African rock band The Parlotones will be returning to the United Kingdom for the first time this year in November for four performances. The whirlwind tour will open at the Shepherd's Bush Empire on Wednesday 9th November; the band then visits Bristol, Manchester and Birmingham.
A lot can happen in a year and this rings true for The Parlotones. Since touring the UK with ASH in 2010 the band have performed at the opening concert of The World Cup alongside Alicia Keys, The Black Eyed Peas and Shakira and toured the United States three times in 8 months, where they completed over 60 shows. Demand for The Parlotones states side has exceeded expectations and show attendance has tripled!
As The Parlotones wrapped up the band’s first US tour in October 2010 opening for Blue October, the news hit that their latest album Stardust Galaxies had charted on three Billboard charts. Following exposure on the popular reality series Jersey Shore where two of the Parlotones singles have already been used (Brighter Side of Hell and Welcome to the Week End) the band have received enthusiastic reviews from the US press. During their tour to the United States in March the band were invited by American pop band Hanson to perform alongside artist such as Michael Stipe (REM) and Bowling for Soup for an impromptu 12 hour musical telethon online to support the relief efforts in Japan.
The Parlotones latest music video for Should We Fight Back has recently been added to the MTVU playlist in the United States and is currently receiving substantial rotation on the popular network. The video is also currently play listed on MTV Europe.
Plans for the year ahead echo the previous as The Parlotones continue to relentlessly break the boundaries of performing and reach new heights when it comes to entertaining their fans.
On the 16th of July 2011 ‘Dragonflies & Astronauts’ – a rock theatre production featuring The Parlotones - will be broadcast live from Johannesburg. The transmission - a world first - will be beamed via satellite to networks around the globe in 3D.
The landmark production integrates some of the more theatrical elements The Parlotones have become known for in their music videos and to some degree in their more recent performances. In the tradition of performers like David Bowie and Pink Floyd, the creative crew of the show has spun a futuristic, science fiction yarn which will form the backbone of the visualisation and storytelling, using the band’s numerous hits as well as some of their more obscure recordings as the soundtrack for a sci-fi rock opera. Audiences will be able to indulge their senses when they experience The Parlotones playing their songs live as a theatrical performance unfolds on stage.
Executive producer and CEO of Sovereign Entertainment, Raphael Domalik is the driving force behind the phenomenal success of The Parlotones. Known to attempt what is considered the impossible, Raphael has achieved success on an unprecedented level in the South African music industry.
“This project was just what we needed to answer the question on everybody’s lips, ‘What could they possibly do next?’ Headlining the Coca Cola Dome was a South African first, it only seemed fitting it was time for a world first.” says Raphael.
International fans will be able to see the live 3D production on various platforms which are currently being negotiated by co-executive producer Doug Stanley, CEO of Ridgeline. With two decades of primetime production, Doug has been honoured with six Primetime Emmy Award nominations, and recently won the 2008 Primetime Emmy Award for his work on Discovery Channel’s hit show “Deadliest Catch”
"Ridgeline Entertainment is honoured to be working with Raphael Domalik and the Parlotones. The creative work that this team has brought forth, their music and video works are exceptional and appeal to a wide demographic. This event is surely to be a milestone in both music and theatre and will stand alone as the premier 3D broadcast event of the year, establishing rock theatre as an enduring genre for 3D performance and broadcast. Where the event is not available in 3D, Ridgeline will offer it as a standard 2D broadcast." Said Doug
The world first concept will transform audience expectations of a live show
Other notable achievements include recently taking home 3 SAMA awards (South African Music Awards) and becoming ambassadors for a carbon free campaign in South Africa. The Carbon Free campaign is an initiative of CarbonWorx (www.carbonworx.co.za) which endeavours to reforest areas in South Africa with indigenous trees whilst uplifting communities. With the help of The Parlotones, CarbonWorx aims to encourage ordinary South Africans to play a role in solving the carbon emission problem and contributing to environmental change. With a CarbonFree card you can play a part in the restoration of the ecosystem by having an indigenous tree planted in a protected sanctuary. You will receive GPS co-ordinates to watch it grow and earn reward points which can go towards planting additional trees.
The Parlotones will be heading back into the studio to record their new album which is set for worldwide release late March 2012.
Tour Dates
9th November: Shepherds Bush Empire (London)
10th November: The Fleece (Bristol)
11th November: Academy (Manchester)
12th November: HMV Institute (Birmingham)
Tickets go on sale at 9AM on Friday 27th May, priced from £12.50 (£15 for London) www.gigsandtours.com
