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Could 2024 get any better for Shed Seven? Two number one albums, sold-out shows, and now four outdoor gigs set for 2025

Shed Seven celebrate topping the Official UK Album Chart with Liquid Gold, their second number one of 2024. Picture copyright: Ofiicial Charts Company 2024

IF at first you succeed after 30 years, then succeed again only a matter of months later.

Like buses, no number one ever arrived for York band Shed Seven until not one but two album chart toppers came their way in one year, making the Britpop survivors only the 20th act to achieve that feat in the Official UK Album Chart.

In good company too, standing on the shoulders of such giants as Frank Sinatra (1957); Elvis Presley (1962); The Beatles (1963, 1964, 1965); Bob Dylan (1965, 1970); Led Zeppelin (1970, 1976) and Elton John (1973, 1974, 1990).

Who else? George Mitchell Minstrels (who?! * See answer below); The Monkees; Slade; Mike Oldfield; Abba; Queen; Diana Ross; Robbie Williams; Blue(yes, really); Rihanna; Taylor Swift (2020, 2021, 2023) and Ed Sheeran.

Shed Seven’s final promotional push to take Liquid Gold to the number one spot

Rather than chasing rainbows in 2024, it’s Getting Better and better for Shed Seven, the band with the alchemist’s touch in a year of Going For Gold.

The Sheds began their 30th anniversary celebrations by entering the charts at number one with sixth studio album A Matter Of Time on January 12, a record-breaking gap of 29 years and three months between their debut, September 5 1994’s Change Giver, and first chart topper.

Could Liquid Gold, their second release of the year on indie label Cooking Vinyl, follow suit? Sitting at number one in the UK Midweek Album Chart, the Sheds saw off the challenge of Bring Me The Horizon’s Post Human: Next Gen, pulling ahead by 2,500 sales by Thursday morning in what had shaped up to be a two-horse race heading into the final straight, before cantering away to a lead of almost 5,000 at Friday afternoon’s finishing post.

“We can’t quite believe we are writing these words, but we’ve only gone and done it again!!” posted the band on their shedsevenofficial site on Instagram. “Our second number one album this year!!!

Liquid Gold Covers Edition: One of multiple formats that secured the top spot for Shed Seven



“Liquid Gold is the official UK Chart number one album beating new releases from major artists including Ed Sheeran and Lady Gaga! Firstly, thank you to everyone who has bought the record – you truly are the best fans.

“Also, a huge thanks to all the amazing people we worked with on the album, and for helping us create the most beautiful record. Thanks to Cooking Vinyl for believing in us.”

Later the band posted: “This is one of the most rare feats on the Official Chart: securing two Number 1 albums on the Official Albums Chart within a single calendar year. In all of recorded Official Charts history, this has only happened to 20 acts, and now Shed Seven joins the likes of The Beatles, David Bowie, and Elvis!”

As with A Matter Of Time, a combination of myriad versions of Liquid Gold, a resourceful, rallying social media campaign and on-going record store tour of intimate gigs and personal appearances ensured the industrious five-piece were first past the post.

Huts five, Shed Seven: Tim Wills, left, Rob ‘Maxi’ Maxfield, Rick Witter, Paul Banks and Tom Gladwin promoting next summer’s Scarborough show at the seaside

The promotional campaign also took in a Radio 2 In The Park live set in Preston, a BBC Radio 2 Piano Session, plus Radio 2 playlist exposure and Amazing Radio’s Track of the Week status for the single Waiting For The Catch, a duet with Issy Ferris, of Ferris & Sylvester.

Recorded at Vada Recording Studios, Stratford-upon-Avon, with producer Michael Rendall, the album features the orchestral reimagining of past hits, less discovered band favourites and one new song, All Roads Lead To You, embossed with strings, brass and gospel vocal arrangements.

Numerous formats have sold out already, now complemented by the Demos Edition CD, a set of demos that crystallises the raw energy that the Sheds exuded in their early days. All profits from Demos Edition CD will be donated to the Music Venue Trust, which supports grassroots music venues across the UK – multiple venues that have been “vital to every moment of Shed Seven’s long and storied career”.

Front man Rick Witter said: “It’s important for all new up-and-coming young acts to have the opportunity to play venues like these, as it’s a crucial part of any artist’s journey to get a foothold on the musical path. Long may these venues exist.”

Guitarist Paul Banks added: “Shed Seven has had an incredible 30 years, and this year has been nothing short of unforgettable. We’ve climbed every rung of the ladder in this industry, starting out in independent venues.

Shed Seven celebrate notching their second number one of 2024

“When we look back at the places we played in 1994, it’s heartbreaking to see how many have closed their doors. Independent bands need independent labels, record shops and venues, and we want to give something back.

“That’s why we’re thrilled to release a limited-edition Liquid Gold CD, with all profits going to the Music Venues Trust. It features demos that really capture the rawness of Shed Seven, that same energy we had when we played those venues early in our career. Without independent venues, there would be no Shed Seven.”

The Sheds’ run of in-store appearances and Change Giver concerts since Liquid Gold’s release may have been brought to a temporary halt by Rick Witter’s sinus infection – has the City of York Council’s plan to launch a Rick Gritter road gritter this winter arrived early in his throat?! – but plans are taking shape already for 2025.

Tickets go on sale at 9.30am this morning for their “biggest ever headline show in their home county”, a long-overdue debut at the 8,000-capapcity TK Maxx Presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre, the UK’s largest purpose-built outdoor concert arena, on June 14, when Jake Bugg and Cast will be their special guests. To book, head to: scarboroughopenairtheatre.co.uk or ticketmaster.co.uk.

Witter said (before the sinus infection struck): “It’s been a dream of ours for some time to head out to the coast to play Scarborough OAT. It’s a stunning and historic venue…Yorkshire’s very own Hollywood Bowl!

Shed Seven’s poster for next summer’s trio of outdoor headline concerts

“2024 has been an amazing year for us. We’ve had our first number one album, sold out shows across the land, and now to announce our biggest ever headline show in Yorkshire – it doesn’t get much better!

“We can’t thank our fans enough and we want them to join us in Scarborough next summer for what will be a magical night at this incredibly special venue.”

In addition, Shed Seven have announced two further live dates for next summer, either side of the Pennine divide for Sounds Of The City 2025: Castlefield Bowl, Manchester, on July 4 and a return to Leeds Millennium Square on July 11, having headlined the Sound Of The City bill there on July 15 2023, when Cast and fellow York band Skylights supported.

Ian Broudie’s Lightning Seeds, from Liverpool, and the Sheds’ upcoming winter tour opening act, The Sherlocks, from Sheffield, will be on support duty on both nights. Again, tickets go on sale today at  www.gigsandtours.com and ticketmaster.co.uk or via https://tix.to/SS25.

The promotional poster for Paul Heaton’s Bramall Lane concert next May, featuring Shed Seven on the support bill

“We can’t wait to get out next summer for these big shows,” said Rick “It’s going to be a huge celebration following the success we’ve had in 2024. Expect big hits and huge singalongs. See you down the front.”

And now there’s more! Shed Seven are to support Sheffield United fan Paul Heaton at his beloved Bramall Lane, Sheffield, on May 25, when Lightning Seeds will be on the bill too.

Singer, songwriter and former front man of Hull bands The Housemartins and The Beautiful South, Heaton grew up in the Steel City. He will perform with his live and special guest singer Rianne Downey.

Today he releases his new solo album, The Mighty Several, produced by Lightning Seeds’ Ian Broudie, on Blood Records. His autumn tour will open with Yorkshire shows at Bridlington Spa on November 29 and Leeds First Direct the next night.

Did you know? Shed Seven are champions of National Album Day

 

Shed Seven: Championing the album as an artform

SHED Seven have been announced as the first champions of National Album Day ahead of its return on Saturday, October 19.

The official statement reads: “National Album Day announces iconic alternative rock band Shed Seven as the first album champions to celebrate this year’s theme of Great British Groups.

“Hailing from York, Shed Seven released their debut album Change Giver in 1994, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. To honour the anniversary, Shed Seven have partnered with National Album Day to present a special tour celebrating 30 years of the record and to promote the art of the album format.

“Paul Banks, member of Shed Seven, says: ‘For Shed Seven, albums are a powerful medium – a journey that tells a story, like a book or film. This belief shapes our music, including our new LP, Liquid Gold.

‘To us, an album is more than a collection of songs; it’s a cohesive experience with a theme, mood, and intentional moments of tension and release. Every detail, even the silences, is deliberate and meaningful.

‘Making an album involves more than music; it’s a full artistic endeavour. We’re deeply involved in every element, from the songs to the cover art, which extends the album’s narrative. The album as a format deserves to be protected and cherished because it blends multiple artistic disciplines into one experience.

‘That’s why we support National Album Day on October 19th, which celebrates Great British Groups and highlights the importance of albums. As long as we make music, we’ll craft albums that tell stories and provide a full experience, like our latest, Liquid Gold. We hope you’ll join us on this journey.’

“Released earlier this year, Shed Seven’s album A Matter of Time marked two huge milestones for the band; becoming their first No.1 album, and making them the first ever band from York to have a #1 record on the Official Albums Chart.

On fire: Shed Seven top the charts for the first time with A Matter Of Time in January

“The album also out-sold the rest of the Top #10 physically combined (competing with heavy-hitters Lewis Capaldi, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and The Weeknd) in week one!”

Since its launch in 2018, National Album Day has been supported by a broad range of artists, such as Kylie Minogue, Joy Crookes, Sharleen Spiteri, Lewis Capaldi, Mark Ronson, La Roux, Elbow, Paloma Faith, Blossoms, Alice Cooper, Novelist, Tom Odell, Mahalia, Toyah Willcox and Jazzie B.

Last year Gabrielle, Declan McKenna, Tricky, Nuno Bettencourt, Shola Ama and The Corrs added their voices as passionate advocates of the album. 

National Album Day is organised jointly by the BPI – the UK association of record companies and independent labels (BRIT Awards and Mercury Prize) – and ERA, the digital entertainment and retail association (Record Store Day).

The event is supported by BBC Radio 2 and the breadth of BBC Sounds, radio, TV and online channels, and is backed by the wider recorded music community, taking in UK record labels, AIM, PPL and other trade associations, independent record stores and specialist chains, including HMV, and online retailers and digital/streaming services including Amazon, Spotify and YouTube.

The cover artwork for Change Giver, Shed Seven’s 1994 debut album on Polydor Records

THE Change Giver shows were scheduled to start with sold-out performances at Pryzm, Kingston, yesterday and today, hosted by Banquet Records, but Rick Witter’s sinus infection forced their postponement.

The Instagram statement from guitarist Paul Banks reads: “We’re absolutely heartbroken to let you know that we have to postpone this week’s shows at Kingston Pryzm due to Rick suffering from a sinus infection.

“He’s been gradually getting worse over the last few days, but he’s carried on and honoured the interviews he had as he didn’t want to let anybody down. However, it’s gotten so bad today [October 10] that, on doctor’s orders, we have no choice but to postpone the shows.

“Ticket holders, please check your email for more information. We’ll be in touch again a soon as the rescheduled dates are confirmed. Apologies for the very obvious disappointment.”   

Further sold-out performances, playing the album in full, are scheduled for HMV Empire, Coventry, tomorrow (12/10/2024); SWG3, Glasgow, hosted by Assai Records, on October 17; Academy 2, Manchester, hosted by Crash Records, October 18, and Leeds Beckett Student Union, hosted by Crash Records, on October 19. An update on Rick’s vocal health will be forthcoming.

Likewise, sold-out in-store appearances are booked for Assai Records, Edinburgh, at midday on October 16 and Glasgow HMV at 5pm the same day.

Meanwhile, Change Giver is being released on heavyweight vinyl for the first time since 1994 in a re-issue that faithfully replicates the original Polydor UK pressing.

Shed Seven’s Paul Banks and Rick Witter performing on the first of two sold-out nights at York Musem Gardens in July, promoted by the Futuresound Group. Picture: David Harrison

NOVEMBER 30th ANNIVERSARY HEADLINE TOUR

14th – Sheffield, Octagon (SOLD OUT)

15th – Cardiff, University – Great Hall (LOW TICKETS)

16th – Liverpool, University – Mountford Hall (SOLD OUT)

18th – Halifax, Victoria Theatre (LOW TICKETS)

19th – Hull, City Hall (LOW TICKETS)

21st – Aberdeen, Music Hall (SOLD OUT)

22nd – Glasgow, O2 Academy (SOLD OUT)

23rd – Edinburgh, O2 Academy (SOLD OUT)

25th – Leicester, O2 Academy (LOW TICKETS)

26th – Margate, Dreamland

28th – Bristol, O2 Academy (SOLD OUT)

29th – Newcastle, O2 City Hall (SOLD OUT)

30th – Leeds, O2 Academy (SOLD OUT)

Stairway to Shed Seven: Rick Witter, left, Tom Gladwin, Tim Wills, Paul Banks and Rob ‘Maxi’ Maxfield step up in 2024. Picture: Barnaby Fairley

DECEMBER – 30th ANNIVERSARY HEADLINE TOUR

2nd – Oxford, O2 Academy (SOLD OUT)

3rd – Lincoln, Engine Shed (LOW TICKETS)

5th – Stockton, Globe

6th – Manchester, O2 Victoria Warehouse (SOLD OUT)

7th – Birmingham, O2 Academy (SOLD OUT)

9th – Norwich, The Nick Rayns LCR, University of East Anglia (SOLD OUT)

10th – Cambridge, Corn Exchange (SOLD OUT)

12th – Bournemouth, O2 Academy (LOW TICKETS)

13th – Nottingham, Rock City (SOLD OUT)

14th – London, O2 Academy Brixton (SOLD OUT)

Very limited tickets for select shows are available via shedseven.com.

DECEMBER – RICK WITTER & PAUL BANKS INTIMATE ACOUSTIC SHOWS

21st – York, Huntington Working Men’s Club (SOLD OUT)

22nd – York, Huntington Working Men’s Club (SOLD OUT)

*Who were the George Mitchell Minstrels?

THEY were formed by Scottish singer George Mitchell OBE, who devised the long-running Black And White Minstrel Show.

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Shed Seven pour out myriad versions of Liquid Gold tomorrow as tour starts

The cover artwork for Shed Seven’s Liquid Gold, released on Cooking Vinyl tomorrow

SHED Seven’s album of orchestral reworkings, Liquid Gold, arrives tomorrow on Cooking Vinyl as their 30th anniversary celebrations take to the road.

These gilded reinventions were recorded in collaboration with arrangers Fiona Brice and Michael Rendall, Rendall having teamed up with the Sheds for 2017’s Top Ten comeback album Instant Pleasures and 2024’s A Matter Of Time.

The track listing will be: Getting Better; Speakeasy; Devil In Your Shoes; On Standby; Going For Gold; Waiting For The Catch; Better Days; Parallel Lines; Disco Down; Ocean Pie; new composition All Roads Lead To You and Chasing Rainbows.

Already the York band have trailered the 12-track recording with a quintet of tasters: Speakeasy, Devil In Your Shoes, Getting Better, the BBC Radio 2 B-listed Waiting For The Catch duet with Issy Ferris, of UK folk/rock/Americana duo Ferris & Sylvester, and, most recently, Chasing Rainbows, their most streamed song of all time and perennial set closer.

Originally released on 1998’s Let It Ride, Chasing Rainbows has been reshaped with a string arrangement and plaintive piano before the Sheds furnish the song still further, giving its melancholy and yearning a deeper resonance.

Frontman Rick Witter says: “When we set out to re-record Chasing Rainbows for Liquid Gold, this particular track presented a different kind of challenge. We knew we were handling something with extreme care, as we understand just how significant Chasing Rainbows is to so many of you! It’s not just a song but a part of your lives and memories. We read your comments and felt the impact this song has had.

The artwork for Shed Seven’s Liquid Gold version of Chasing Rainbows

“In crafting this new version, we poured all that emotion and significance into it. As we worked in the studio, it became clear that this rendition embodies a collective spirit. It’s not meant to be better than the original but rather to stand as its sister, a cinematic alternative, like the closing scene of a movie. That’s why it sits proudly at the end of Liquid Gold. You can almost hear your voices singing long after the record has finished.”

On the heels of being named as ambassadors forNational Album Day, playing Blossoms’ Big Bank Holiday Weekend at Wythenshawe Park, Manchester, on August 25, and BBC Radio 2 In The Park in Preston on September 8, the Sheds head out on a record store tour of short sets and record signings tomorrow.

They also will perform six intimate shows to mark the 30th anniversary of their 1994 debut album, Change Giver, before their full-scale headline tour starts on November 14. 

A year that began with Shed Seven topping the album charts for the first time in January with A Matter Of Time will end with Witter and guitarist Paul Banks going back to where the Sheds’ story began, when the two former Huntington schoolboys play acoustic shows at the Huntington Working Men’s Club in York on December 21 and 22.

The Liquid Gold album campaign has been given further impetus with a Bootleg Edition, featuring stripped-back artwork hand-stamped by a band member and five bonus tracks, available as a specially priced CD and on black double-vinyl.

Other formats include signed yellow splatter double-vinyl and a Live At York 2CD that adds a live album recorded at the brace of York Museum Gardens 30th anniversary gigs in July. The Sheds’ official store also offers fans the chanced to build their own custom album bundles. All pre-orders are on sale at shedsevenn.lnk.to/LiquidGoldPR

Shed Seven’s gig diary: September 27 to December 22

Starry starry night: Rick Witter leading Shed Seven at York Museum Gardens in July. Picture: David Harrison

September 27, Manchester, HMV (1pm SOLD OUT)

September 27, Bury, Wax & Beans (6pm SOLD OUT)

September 28, Birmingham, HMV (1pm SOLD OUT)

September 28, Leamington Spa, Head Records (5pm SOLD OUT)

September 29, London, Rough Trade East (5pm SOLD OUT)

September 29, London, Rough Trade East (7pm SOLD OUT)

September 30, Southampton, Vinilo (1pm SOLD OUT)

September 30, Brighton, Resident Music (6.30pm SOLD OUT)

October 1, Bristol, Rough Trade (12 noon LOW TICKETS)

October 1, Bristol, Rough Trade (5pm SOLD OUT)

October 2, Nottingham, Rough Trade (12 noon SOLD OUT)

October 2, Nottingham, Rough Trade (6pm -SOLD OUT)

October 3, Sheffield, Bear Tree Records (12 noon SOLD OUT)

October 3, Liverpool, Jacaranda (7pm SOLD OUT)

October 4, Newcastle, Beyond Vinyl (6.30pm SOLD OUT)

October 10, Kingston-Upon-Thames, Pryzm, Change Giver show, hosted by Banquet Records (EXTRA SHOW ADDED)

October 11, Kingston-Upon-Thames, Pryzm, Change Giver show, hosted by Banquet Records (SOLD OUT)

October 12, Coventry, HMV Empire, Change Giver show (SOLD OUT)

October 16, Edinburgh, Assai Records (12 noon SOLD OUT)

October 16, Glasgow, HMV (5pm SOLD OUT)

October 17, Glasgow, SWG3, Change Giver show, hosted by Assai Records (SOLD OUT)

October 18, Manchester Academy 2, Change Giver show, hosted by Crash Records (SOLD OUT)

October 19, Leeds Beckett Student Union, Change Giver show, hosted by Crash Records (SOLD OUT)

30th anniversary party time: Shed Seven’s Rob ‘Maxi’ Maxfield, left, Paul Banks, Rick Witter, Tom Gladwin and Tim Wills. Picture: Chris Little

November 14, Sheffield Octagon (SOLD OUT)

November 15, Cardiff University Great Hall

November 16, Liverpool University Mountford Hall (LOW TICKETS)

November 18, Halifax, Victoria Theatre (LOW TICKETS)

November 19, Hull City Hall

November 21, Aberdeen Music Hall (SOLD OUT)

November 22, Glasgow O2 Academy (SOLD OUT)

November 23, Edinburgh O2 Academy (LOW TICKETS)

November 25, Leicester O2 Academy (LOW TICKETS)

November 26, Margate, Dreamland

November 28, Bristol O2 Academy (SOLD OUT)

November 29, Newcastle O2 City Hall (LOW TICKETS)

November 30, Leeds O2 Academy (SOLD OUT)

December 2, Oxford O2 Academy (SOLD OUT)

December 3, Lincoln, Engine Shed (LOW TICKETS)

December 5, Stockton Globe

December 6, Manchester O2 Victoria Warehouse (SOLD OUT)

December 7, Birmingham O2 Academy (SOLD OUT)

December 9, Norwich – The Nick Rayns LCR, University of East Anglia (SOLD OUT)

December 10, Cambridge, Corn Exchange (LOW TICKETS)

December 12, Bournemouth O2 Academy (LOW TICKETS)

December 13, Nottingham, Rock City (SOLD OUT)

December 14, London O2 Academy, Brixton (SOLD OUT)

December   21, Rick Witter & Paul Banks, Huntington Working Men’s Club, York, acoustic gig (SOLD OUT)

December 22, Rick Witter & Paul Banks, Huntington Working Men’s Club, York, acoustic gig (SOLD OUT)

For ticket availability, head to shedseven.com/gigs.

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Three Steps To Shed Seven: past, present and future as 30th anniversary rolls on

Shed Seven performing Throwaways with special guest Peter Doherty at York Museum Gardens on July 19. Picture: Barnaby Fairley

Step One: Night two of the Sheds’ 30th anniversary homecoming concerts, Live At York Museum Gardens, presented by Futuresound, on July 20

Set list: Let’s Go; Speakeasy; Where Have You Been Tonight?; High Hopes (with Duke Witter); Dolphin; Devil In Your Shoes; Tripping With You (with Laura McClure); Bully Boy (with Huntington School Choir); Ocean Pie; Parallel Lines; In Ecstasy (with Rowetta); On Standby; Going For Gold; Suspicious Minds; Talk Of The Town; Getting Better; Let’s Go Dancing.

Encores: Room In My House; Throwaways (with Peter Doherty); Disco Down; Chasing Rainbows (with choir, McClure, Rowetta and support acts Doherty, Brooke Combe and Apollo Junction).

CharlesHutchPress viewpoint: As central as a centre-spot, standing with a cluster of chanting York City fans, former manager Michael Morton (February-August 2023) at their core, and a bunch of Sheds-loving former University of York students, meeting up from all over the country for the first time since 1997.

Different set list? Out went She Left Me On Friday (they left it out on Saturday), People Will Talk and The Heroes. In came: Where Have You Been Tonight? and Parallel Lines.

Other differences?

*Shed Seven arrived on stage at 8.30pm rather than 8.40pm.

*Different members of Huntington School Choir sang Bully Boy.

*The Sheds’ friend Stuart Allan, guitarist and vocalist in York band Johnny And The Dunebugs, guested on guitar throughout the Sheds’ set, introduced by Rick Witter as “the fifth Beatle”.

The same on both nights:

*The show-opening recorded poetry reading of The Boys Are Coming Home – a hymn of praise to York’s “characters, cobbles and quirks” – by Matt Abbott, Wakefield poet, educator, activist and former frontman and lyricist of Skint & Demoralised. Commissioned by guitarist Paul Banks.

*Backing singers Mary Pearce and Beverly Skeete, as featured on the Shed Seven albums Instant Pleasures, A Matter Of Time and the upcoming Liquid Gold.

*Special guests Laura McClure, from Reverend And The Makers, Rowetta, from the Madchester Nineties’ scene, and The Libertines’ Peter Doherty, all reprising their contributions to the Sheds’ number one album, A Matter Of Time.

*Brass section of Tim Hurst, trombone; Andy Cox, saxophone; Jamie Brownfield, trumpet.

*The presence of a film crew, led off on Friday by the camera following Rick Witter from the Museum Street entrance, “walking towards the stage like a boxer entering the ring” (to quote Ste’s comment on CharlesHutchPress’s review of the first night.

Why filming?

“The idea of filming the weekend is trifold,” says Rick. “We wanted to make a video for the most recent Liquid Gold release, Getting Better, which came out on Monday evening (July 22). Worth a watch!

“We’re also releasing a ‘Live At Museum Gardens’ variant to coincide with the release of Liquid Gold on September 27. And then possibly we’ll release a DVD of the Museum Gardens gigs, along with all the promo vids from A Matter Of Time onwards and a small documentary about the Sheds. The year of the Sheds indeed.”

Final CharlesHutchPress thoughts: Loved Room In My House and Talk Of The Town becoming latter-day crowd favourites already. Rick’s “dad dancing” with son and Serotones singer Duke in High Hopes. The set – pre-encores – closing with Let’s Go Dancing’s a cappella coda, “Lonely words seek an empty page/Curtain call, time to leave the stage/ It’s time to stop…”.

Peter Doherty and his dapper chapeau – plonked briefly on Witter’s head – loving every minute, whether in Throwaways or the everything-plus-the-kitchen-sink Chasing Rainbows finale. The departing hordes still singing Chasing Rainbows as they crossed Lendal Bridge, homeward bound and euphoric.

Step two: New single Waiting For The Catch and new album Liquid Gold

Shed Seven with Issy Ferris, of Ferris & Sylvester, guest vocalist on Liquid Gold orchestral reworking of Waiting For The Catch. Picture: Andy Little

“HI MATE. Sorry just shooting a video to a new song. It’s all go.” So messaged Rick Witter, on July 22, explaining his delay in answering a handful of CharlesHutchPress questions.

That song is new single Waiting For The Catch, a duet with Issy Ferris, of UK folk/rock/Americana duo Ferris & Sylvester, who released their second album, Otherness, on March 1 on Arch Top Records.

Premiered on the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 on August 8, Waiting For The Catch is a new reworking of an Instant Pleasures bonus track from the York band’s career-spanning orchestral album Liquid Gold. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HKKvnD-tII.

“Waiting For The Catch fits perfectly alongside some of our biggest hits,” says Rick. “The song has the classic ‘Can’t live with you, can’t live without you’ sentiment and we felt making it a duet would fit perfectly with the lyrical theme.

“So we invited the amazing Issy Ferris to add her beautiful voice to the track, which gives it a yearning, but also vengeful energy. You want to hear Shed Seven arena-sized? No problem, it’s our pleasure.”

Liquid Gold’s orchestral reinventions were recorded in collaboration with arrangers Fiona Brice and Michael Rendall. Brice had worked previously with Liam Gallagher and Placebo, while Rendall had teamed up with the Sheds for 2017’s Top Ten comeback album Instant Pleasures and A Matter Of Time.

“This year we celebrate 30 years as recording artists and, after reminiscing about our career, we thought we’d celebrate the milestone by revisiting some key songs from our past,” says Rick.

“The idea being that if we cherry picked a hatful of songs and recorded them now, it would be a coherent stroll down memory lane but also sit sonically beside A Matter Of Time. A logical next step.”

Rick continues: “We see this record as a gateway into the world of Shed Seven. We also felt that adding an orchestra to each track would lend the whole project a unique slant. The songs have become widescreen, full of colour.

“The original recordings will always hold a special place in our hearts but re-recording the chosen songs was an exciting prospect for us. It’s a gift from the band to our loyal supporters and will hopefully introduce some golden moments throughout our career to a whole new audience. Enjoy, and here’s to the next 30 years!”

A signed copy of Liquid Gold: One of multiple formats of the new album

Set for release on Cooking Vinyl on September 27, Liquid Gold can be pre-ordered at shedsevenn.lnk.to/LiquidGoldPR, with formats ranging from signed copies and vinyl to CD and cassette versions.

The Sheds have just launched a new bootleg edition, each with artwork individually hand-stamped by the band, that adds three songs from their BBC Piano Room session, a live recording of Casino Girl, and remix of In Ecstasy.

That Piano Room session in May saw the Sheds perform Chasing Rainbows, Talk Of The Town and a cover of Duran Duran’s Planet Earth with the BBC Concert Orchestra at Maida Vale studios.

The album track listing will be: Getting Better; Speakeasy; Devil In Your Shoes; On Standby; Going For Gold; Waiting For The Catch (featuring Issy Ferris); Better Days; Parallel Lines; Disco Down; Ocean Pie; new composition All Roads Lead To You and Chasing Rainbows.

A special Live @Museum Gardens 2CD edition can be pre-ordered at store.shedseven.com/product/148214?password=LG-YORK-EM. Featuring a bonus disc of live tracks recorded at the two shows, it comes with alternative artwork to commemorate the occasion.

In the immediate aftermath of the Museum Gardens shindigs, the Sheds released a video of the Liquid Gold version of Getting Better, filmed on and off stage over the two days, capturing the band, special guests Peter Doherty, Rowetta and Laura McClure and Friday support acts The Lottery Winners and Serotones, Huntington School choir and audience members…and Witter riding through York on a bike.

Or, as Black Arts PR’s press release puts it: “The video is a joyous celebration of one of the biggest highlights of Shed Seven’scareer. It captures every moment of the day: fans getting the party underway as they arrive; Rick Witter strolling through the audience and posing for photos and pinching a sip of beer; clips of friends including Peter Doherty, Lottery Winners, Rowetta, Laura McClure and Serotones (featuring Rick’s son Duke) all relishing the occasion; and the band embracing before they step on stage. The most emotional moment is saved until the end – the band taking their final bows in front of a sea of adoration.”

Post-gigs, The Shedsposted on social media: “Watch to the end, you won’t be disappointed… you might even feature. Enjoy and thanks once again for making this weekend so special.” Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnJnjir47QE.

Already, the Sheds had previewed the album by releasing two tasters, Speakeasy and Devil In Your Shoes. Pre-orders for Liquid Gold have exceeded the numbers reached with January’s A Matter Of Time. Could Shed Seven notch up two number one albums in a year? Roll on September 27.

Step Three:  T-T-T-Talk Of The Town in multiple towns and cities, 50 shows in all

Shed Seven doing a record store promotion for A Matter Of Time at HMV York in January

AFTER in-store performances and personal appearances, including HMV York, to launch A Matter Of Time in January and the 30th anniversary homecoming celebrations at York Museum Gardens in July, the Shed Seven boys are back in town after town over the rest of 2024.

First up comes a guest spot on Blossoms’ bill at Live From Wythenshawe Park Presents: Blossoms, Inhaler & More @ Wythenshawe Park, Manchester on August 25, followed by BBC Radio 2 In The Park at Moor Park, Preston, on September 8.

Next will be in-store appearances promoting Liquid Gold from September 8 to October 16 and a sextet of gigs in October combining playing 1994 debut album Change Giver in full with a greatest hits set too.

In the traditional biennial Shedcember slot will be a 23-date 30th Anniversary Tour, the Sheds’ biggest-ever winter itinerary, joined by special guests The Sherlocks. Back home in time for Christmas, Rick Witter and Paul Banks will bring down the curtain on the Sheds’ annus mirabilis with a brace of special acoustic duo performances at Huntington Working Men’s Club. Sheds’ bassist Tom Gladwin will do a DJ set each night

AUGUST

25th:  Manchester, Wythenshawe Park (guests to Blossoms)

SEPTEMBER

8th:  Preston, BBC Radio 2 In The Park

27th: Manchester, HMV (1pm – SOLD OUT)

27th:  Bury, Wax & Beans (6pm – SOLD OUT)

28th:  Birmingham, HMV (1pm – SOLD OUT)

28th:  Leamington Spa, Head Records (5pm – SOLD OUT)

29th: London, Rough Trade East (5pm – SOLD OUT)

29th: London, Rough Trade East (7pm  – SOLD OUT)

30th – Southampton, Vinilo (1pm – SOLD OUT)

30th:  Brighton, Resident (6.30pm – SOLD OUT)

OCTOBER

1st: Bristol, Rough Trade (12 noon – LOW TICKETS)

1st: Bristol, Rough Trade (5pm – SOLD OUT)

2nd: Nottingham, Rough Trade (midday – SOLD OUT)

2nd: Nottingham, Rough Trade (6pm – SOLD OUT)

3rd:  Sheffield, Bear Tree Records (midday – SOLD OUT)

3rd: Liverpool, Jacaranda (7pm – SOLD OUT)

4th:  Newcastle, Beyond Vinyl (6.30pm – SOLD OUT)

10th: Kingston-upon-Thames, Pryzm (Change Giver show, hosted by Banquet Records)

11th: Kingston-upon-Thames, Pryzm (Change Giver show, hosted by Banquet Records – SOLD OUT)

12th:  Coventry, HMV Empire (Change Giver show)

16th: Edinburgh, Assai Records (midday – SOLD OUT)

16th: Glasgow, HMV (5pm – SOLD OUT)

17th: Glasgow, SWG3 (Change Giver show, hosted by Assai Records)

18th:  Manchester, Academy 2 (Change Giver show, hosted by Crash Records – SOLD OUT)

19th:  Leeds, Beckett Student Union (Change Giver show, hosted by Crash Records – SOLD OUT)

Party time: Shed Seven’s Rob ‘Maxi’ Maxfield, left, Paul Banks, Rick Witter, Tom Gladwin and Tim Wills celebrate 30th anniversary on November and December tour

NOVEMBER – 30th ANNIVERSARY HEADLINE TOUR

14th:  Sheffield Octagon (SOLD OUT)

15th:  Cardiff University, Great Hall

16th: Liverpool University, Mountford Hall (LOW TICKETS)

18th:  Halifax, Victoria Theatre (LOW TICKETS)

19th: Hull City Hall

21st: Aberdeen Music Hall (SOLD OUT)

22nd: Glasgow, O2 Academy (SOLD OUT)

23rd: Edinburgh, O2 Academy (LOW TICKETS)

25th: Leicester, O2 Academy (LOW TICKETS)

26th: Margate Dreamland

28th: Bristol O2 Academy (SOLD OUT)

29th: Newcastle O2 City Hall (LOW TICKETS)

30th: Leeds O2 Academy (SOLD OUT)

DECEMBER – 30th ANNIVERSARY HEADLINE TOUR

2nd: Oxford O2 Academy (SOLD OUT)

3rd: Lincoln Engine Shed (LOW TICKETS)

5th:  Stockton Globe

6th: Manchester O2 Victoria Warehouse (SOLD OUT)

7th: Birmingham O2 Academy (SOLD OUT)

9th: Norwich, The Nick Rayns LCR, University of East Anglia (SOLD OUT)

10th: Cambridge Corn Exchange (LOW TICKETS)

12th: Bournemouth O2 Academy (LOW TICKETS)

13th: Nottingham Rock City (SOLD OUT)

14th: London O2 Academy Brixton (SOLD OUT)

DECEMBER – RICK WITTER & PAUL BANKS INTIMATE ACOUSTIC SHOWS

21st: York, Huntington Working Men’s Club (SOLD OUT)

22nd: York, Huntington Working Men’s Club (SOLD OUT)

Any remaining tickets are on sale via shedseven.com at https://gigst.rs/SS24.

Paul Banks and Rick Witter: Concluding Shed Seven’s 30th anniversary celebrations on home turf at Huntington Working Men’s Club on December 21 and 22. Picture: David Harrison
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REVIEW: Shed Seven, Futuresound presents Live in York Museum Gardens, York, July 19

Stars coming out at night: Rick Witter fronting Shed Seven at York Museum Gardens. Picture: David Harrison. To buy David’s photos from Friday’s concert, head to: https://dharrisonyorkphotos.smugmug.com/Music/Shed-Seven-in-Museum-Gardens-2024

COULD this annus miraculum have gone any better for Shed Seven, the year when the York band topped the album charts for the first time, all of 30 years since releasing Change Giver.

Getting even better? It just did, last night, in the first of two 30th anniversary homecoming gigs mounted by Leeds promoters Futuresound in the first rock concerts to be staged in York Museum Gardens since Hawkwind, Pink Fairies and Roxy Music in the long-gone 1970s.

Back where the Sheds’ Rick Witter and Paul Banks had “caused chaos” at 12, 13, 14, their loud ghetto blasters “disturbing all the OAPs”.

The music was rather louder last night, cheered on by 4,000 fans, young, Sheds-aged and quite possibly OAPS alike; myriad Shed Seven T-shirts, from their Bile Beans yellow variation to Bully Boy’s I’ll Fight You Till The Death flipside being the dress code for the hottest weather of this sodden summer so far. Annus miraculum? Even Zeus the weather god was smiling on the Sheds.

Peter Doherty: Name-checking York in Albion in acoustic solo set at York Museum Gardens. Picture: David Harrison

After sets by Serotones (son Duke Witter’s band) and Lottery Winners, enter Peter Doherty, a very unrock’n’roll six minutes early, to play charmingly solo and acoustic in dapper chapeau, name-checking York in Albion, the first song he wrote at 16, inspired to pick up a guitar by the Sheds. “I’m sweating like a Leeds fan in a spelling test,” he said in the night’s best one-liner, nevertheless keeping his suit buttoned up.

Performances in York Museum Gardens, notably the York Mystery Plays, have favoured utilising the St Mary’s Abbey backdrop, but Futuresound have broken with tradition, building a stage on the Yorkshire Museum concourse, looking down to the River Ouse, for Jack Savoretti’s Thursday opener and the Sheds’ back-to-back home fixtures.

A good decision, the abbey ruins still playing their supporting role, lit in resplendent blue as the night sky painted its picture. Witter couldn’t resist addressing those gathered on the far riverside, watching for free (always a Yorkshireman’s favourite price, as the saying goes).

A poem, uncredited alas, floated on the night air, as evocative as the smell of chocolate wafting across the city in capturing the essence of York and its characters, cobbles and quirks, to herald the arrival of the Sheds, not the Britpop veterans of lazy labelling, but a vibrant, propulsive, lippy indie band at the height of their second wave.

Let’s Go: Shed Seven’s Paul Banks and Rick Witter in homecoming union on Friday night. Picture: David Harrison

In Witter’s words, they have been reinvigorated by the arrival of new members Rob ‘Maxi’ Mansfield on drums and Tim Wells on guitar & keys. Last night marked their York debut. No fuss, low key at the back, rock solid as a Championship centre-half, and solidly rock.

The adrenaline rush of Let’s Go, as purposeful a title as the Sheds have ever written, opened the show, just as it does A Matter Of Time, whose name is emblazoned on a stage otherwise devoid of frills (no screens, no projections, plenty of northern lights).

The accusation was always that the Sheds were a meat-and-potatoes band, but that is to ignore the quality of the gravy. The way their songs connect, the pride in wearing the T-shirt, the Made In York but mad for the world brio. You’d rather be in this crowd than with the in-crowd.

If you could put together the wish-list Shed Seven-in-heaven gig, this was surely it: the weather, the historic York setting; the special guests, Reverend And The Makers’ Laura McClure, Rowetta and Doherty; the spot-on set list; Duke duetting with Rick on High Hopes; the Yorkshire brass players; She Left Me On Friday, hitting harder on a Friday night; the balance of A Matter Of Time songs and the orchestral overhaul of the upcoming Liquid Gold hits album.

More? How about the Huntington School Choir in their stubby tie uniforms for schoolyard anthem Bully Boy, Going For Gold segueing into a cover of Elvis’s Suspicious Minds and the perfect encore quartet of Room In My House; Throwaways, Witter arm in arm with Doherty; Disco Down with Rowetta in a Happy Mondays vibe, and everyone, choir, support acts, et al on the stage apron for Chasing Rainbows.

Why, there was even a marriage proposal, from Nicki Sullivan to Kevin, orchestrated by Witter as master of ceremonies. Kevin said yes, of course he did. Going for gold in a year when everything the Sheds do has done exactly that.

Crack open a can of Homecoming Hazy Session IPA, Brew York’s 30th anniversary Shed Seven fruity citrus beer, then reconvene tonight for more Shed heaven. Let’s Go Dancing, York, you, me and Peter Doherty. The t-t-t-Talk Of The Town.

Set list

Let’s Go; Speakeasy; She Left Me On Friday; High Hopes (with Duke Witter); Dolphin; Devil In Your Shoes; Tripping With You (with Laura McClure); People Will Talk; Bully Boy (with Huntington School Choir); Ocean Pie; Heroes; In Ecstasy (with Rowetta); On Standby; Going For Gold; Suspicious Minds; Talk Of The Town; Getting Better; Let’s Go Dancing.

Encore: Room In My House; Throwaways (with Peter Doherty); Disco Down (with Rowetta); Chasing Rainbow (with choir, special guests and support acts).

Futuresound presents Shed Seven, York Museum Gardens, tonight (20/7/2024); gates open at 5pm. SOLD OUT.

Running order: Apollo Junction, 5.45pm to 6.15pm; Brooke Combe, 6.35pm to 7.05pm; Peter Doherty, 7.25pm to 8.10pm; Shed Seven, 8.40pm to 10.30pm.

The queue forming in the Friday afternoon sun for Live At York Museum Gardens
Danielle and Gareth, from Hull, enjoying Shed Seven’s set at York Museum Gardens
Duke Witter leading Serotones on Friday evening at York Museum Gardens. Picture: David Harrison
The Lottery Winners’ bassist, Katie Lloyd, at Futuresound’s Live At York Museum Gardens
Thom Rylance, frontman of Leigh band The Lottery Winners, in full voice on Friday. Picture: David Harrison
York singer Jess Steel, front, centre, enjoying Live At York Museum Gardens. Pictire: David Harrison
Peter Doherty and his dapper chapeau at York Mueum Gardens: Picture: David Harrison
Shed Seven singer Rick Witter and bassist Tom Gladwin
Shed Seven drummer Rob ‘Maxi’ Maxfield making his debut York appearance with the band on Friday night. Picture: David Harrison
Making a mark: A Shed Seven tattoo at Friday’s concert. Picture: David Harrison

Digging deeper: What was the poem that heralded Shed Seven’s arrival on stage

“It’s called ‘The Boys Are Coming Home’,” says Matt Abbott, Wakefield poet, educator, activist and former frontman and lyricist of Skint & Demoralised. “Paul Banks, from the band, commissioned me to write a poem for a York-based homeless charity, Arc Light, back in 2014.

“That was actually my first-ever commission. This was through his production company Digifish. So, I was over the moon when he contacted me to write it.

“Initially, this was only meant to be for the social media announcement, so, it was brilliant to see that they also used it for the shows.”

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Shed Seven promise diffedrent sets, special guests & school choir at 30th anniversary concerts in York Museum Gardens

Shed Seven: Playing York Museum Gardens as the homecoing fulcrum of their 30th anniversary celebrations

AFTER a first ever number one album in January, Shed Seven’s 30th anniversary celebrations hit a homecoming peak with tomorrow (19/7/2024) and Saturday’s sold-out concerts at Futuresound’s inaugural Live At York Museum Gardens festival.

“I’d be quite happy for it chuck it down all week, but then NOT,” says lead singer Rick Witter. “Obviously, it is what it is, but it does make for a better atmosphere if you don’t have to contend with rain.

“We have thought before of selling [Chasing] rainbow-coloured umbrellas, but unfortunately at indoor gigs they’d be classified as offensive weapons!”

Good news for Rick and Shed-heads alike, the weather forecast suggests dry conditions will prevail on both nights, when Shed Seven will perform on the concrete concourse in front of the Yorkshire Museum, rather than against the St Mary’s Abbey backdrop once favoured by the York Mystery Plays.

“We’ll be facing the river [Ouse], with the riverside walk being cordoned off, so I imagine having 4,000 people crammed into the space each night will look amazing,” says Rick, as the Sheds look forward to playing the gardens where The Press first photographed the band after they signed to Polydor Records in late-1993.

“As a small band from York, we’ve managed to close the river for two nights, so it’s going to be a huge York event. We’ve been reminiscing about when we were 13-14, sitting in the Museum Gardens with music blasting out of our ghetto blasters, so it will feel weird but lovely this weekend for me and Paul [guitarist Paul Banks] and Tom [bassist Tom Gladwin].”

If that sepia-faded photo-shoot for The Press does not spring immediately to his mind, “I did see a picture of us in 1992 at the time of the Fibbers’ Battle of the Bands. We looked so hopeful, so youthful. We still do!” says Rick, as whippet-slim as ever at 51.

Shed Seven, who now feature Rob ‘Maxi ‘Maxfield on drums and Tim Wills on guitars and keys, rather than founder members Alan Leach and Joe Johnson, spent last weekend rehearsing intensely for this week’s shows.

“We’re definitely going to mix it up a little bit with the two sets, as we’re in the fortunate position of having too many songs. Some will be played on Friday and not Saturday and vice versa, so those who’ve booked for both nights are in for a treat,” says Rick. “We’ll be cramming in as much as we can into one hour 50 minutes each night.”

Special guests are promised too, but without giving names away, Rick does say: “If you look back to our album that came out in January [A Matter Of Time], we had several guests on that record, and I think you might get to see some of those people in our sets.

“Obviously, Pete [Peter Doherty, of The Libertines] will be in the ‘field’ with us on both nights as a support act, so it would be rude not to perform Throwaways (Witter and Doherty’s album-closing duet] with him.”

Will Happy Mondays’ Rowetta make an appearance for In Ecstasy or Reverend And The Makers’ Laura McClure join the Sheds for Tripping With You? Wait and see, but definitely a York choir will be participating.

“Me and Paul visited our old school last Thursday – Huntington School – for the first time in an awfully long time, which felt lovely but a bit odd as a 51-year-old man being back in the classroom! We’d reached out to the school hoping for a mixture of age groups, boys and girls, and it turns out there’s a choir of 60, so we’ve settled for having 20 on each night.” Which song, Rick? Not telling!

New band members Maxfield, from Manchester, and Wills, from London, will be breaking new ground. “They’ve spent a lot of time with us here rehearsing, but this will be the first time they’ve performed with us in our home city, so that’ll be a big moment for York,” says Rick. “And they’ve both talked about moving to York.”

Likewise, Shed Seven will be playing to more than a home crowd. “It’s just amazing that people from all over the country have bought tickets for these shows, so we’ll have 8,000 people descending on our lovely city, filling our bars and hotels,” says Rick.

The 30th anniversary celebrations do not stop there. “The funny thing is, we’re only half way through. I was speaking to Paul about what we might not be able to fit into the sets from A Matter Of Time, and only six months after its release, it’s almost as if we’re having to put a number one album to one side already, as we’re putting so much into our next album.”

Liquid Gold, an album of orchestral re-workings of 12 Shed Seven hits and live favourites, reimagined by the band in collaboration with arrangers Fiona Brice and Michael Rendall, will be released on September 27.

“We’re very excited about this album coming out to mark 30 years,” says Rick. “Only next year can we sit back and reflect on what we achieved this year.”

Still to come in 2024 are multiple in-store appearances to promote Liquid Gold, with yet more dates soon to be added to the schedule, followed by the 30th Anniversary Tour in the traditional Shedcember slot in  November and December, with Yorkshire gigs at Sheffield Octagon, (November 14), Victoria Theatre, Halifax (November 18) Hull City Hall, November 19, and Leeds O2 Academy (November 30).

Witter and Banks will see out the year with a brace of intimate acoustic concerts at Huntington Working Men’s Club, York, on December 21 and 22. Sold out, of course.

Futuresound presents Live At York Museum Gardens, Jack Savoretti, tonight; Shed Seven, Friday and Saturday. Gates open at 5pm each evening. Box office: seetickets.com/event/jack-savoretti/york-museum-gardens/2929799.

Thursday bill: Ellur, 5.45pm to 6.15pm; Benjamin Francis Leftwich, 6.30pm to 7.15pm; Foy Vance, 7.45pm to 8.30pm; Jack Savoretti, 9p, to 10.30pm.

Friday bill: Serotones (Duke Witter’s band), 5.45pm to 6.15pm; Lottery Winners, 6.35pm to 7.05pm; Peter Doherty, 7.25pm to 8.10pm; Shed Seven, 8.40pm to 10.30pm.

Saturday bill: Apollo Junction, 5.45pm to 6.15pm; Brooke Combe, 6.35pm to 7.05pm; Peter Doherty, 7.25pm to 8.10pm; Shed Seven, 8.40pm to 10.30pm.

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Shed Seven to close 30th anniversary with December 21 and 22 gigs by Rick Witter and Paul Banks at Huntington WMC

Shed Seven’s Paul Banks and Rick Witter: Playing intimate acoustic sets at Huntington Working Men’s Club on December 21 and 22

SHED Seven will end their 30th anniversary celebrations with a brace of intimate acoustic concerts by frontman Rick Witter and guitarist Paul Banks at Huntington Working Men’s Club, York, on December 21 and 22.

“We are genuinely thrilled to announce a pair of very special homecoming shows,” says Rick. “And where better to end our 30th anniversary year than in Huntington, where me, Paul and Tom first met back in the ’80s and the story first began.” Tom, as in Sheds’ bassist Tom Gladwin, will do a DJ set each night.

Tickets will go on sale at store.shedseven.com at 9am on Wednesday (12/6/2024) for this York postscript to the Sheds’ 23-date November and December tour, their biggest ever “Shedcember” itinerary.

Yorkshire venues will be Sheffield Octagon, November 14 (sold out); Victoria Theatre, Halifax, November 18; Hull City Hall, November 19, and Leeds O2 Academy, November 30 (sold out).

The year began with the Sheds’ first ever number one album, A Matter Of Time, followed by vinyl chart-topping single Let’s Go Dancing, and next up will be two sold-out outdoor shows on July 19 and 20 as part of Futuresound Group’s four-day festival at York Museum Gardens.

On September 27, they will release Liquid Gold, an album of orchestral re-workings of 12 Shed Seven hits and live favourites, reimagined by the band in collaboration with arrangers Fiona Brice and Michael Rendall.

Brice’s credits include Liam Gallagher and Placebo, while Rendall worked with the Sheds on 2017’s Top Ten comeback album Instant Pleasures and A Matter Of Time.

Shed Seven’s 2024 line-up: Rob ‘Maxi’ Maxfield, left, Paul Banks, Rick Witter, Tom Gladwin and Tim Wills

For the richly reinventive recording sessions, Shed Seven teamed up with a full orchestra, brass section, gospel singers et al.

Released on Cooking Vinyl, Liquid Gold spans the band’s career, from Speakeasy and Ocean Pie, off 1994 debut album Change Giver, to Better Days, from Instant Pleasures, via a soaring, sweeping Disco Down.

It also revisits the Sheds’ landmark second album, 1996’s A Maximum High, for Getting Better, Going For Gold, On Standby and a dramatic new take on Parallel Lines, described playfully by Paul Banks as “sounding like Shed Zeppelin”.

The more luxuriant scale is encapsulated in Devil In My Shoes. Originally a slow-burning highlight of 1998’s Let It Ride, this new account adds a cinematic sheen: its new-found grandeur providing a shimmering contrast between the initially downbeat melancholy and the full force of optimism that beams through the crescendo.

Liquid Gold is completed by All Roads Lead To You, a new composition written specifically for this project, and a new version of Instant Pleasures-era bonus track Waiting For The Catch, now featuring Issy Ferris, from the UK Americana Award winners Ferris & Sylvester.

“This year we celebrate 30 years as recording artists and, after reminiscing about our career, we thought we’d celebrate the milestone by revisiting some key songs from our past,” says Rick.

“The idea being that if we cherry picked a hatful of songs and recorded them now, it would be a coherent stroll down memory lane but also sit sonically beside our recent number one album A Matter Of Time. A logical next step.”

The cover artwork for Shed Seven’s September 27 album of orchestral reinventions, Liquid Gold

Rick continues: “We see this record as a gateway into the world of Shed Seven. We also felt that adding an orchestra to each track would lend the whole project a unique slant. The songs have become widescreen, full of colour.

“The original recordings will always hold a special place in our hearts but re-recording the chosen songs was an exciting prospect for us. It’s a gift from the band to our loyal supporters and will hopefully introduce some golden moments throughout our career to a whole new audience. Enjoy, and here’s to the next 30 years!”

The Sheds gave a taster of Liquid Gold at their May 30 appearance on BBC Radio 2’s Piano Room, when they performed Chasing Rainbows, Talk Of The Town and a cover of Duran Duran’s Planet Earth live at Maida Vale with the BBC Concert Orchestra, conductor Chris George and arranger Fiona Brice.  

Liquid Gold is available to pre-order at shedsevenn.lnk.to/LiquidGoldPR, where the Sheds’ official store offers exclusives in the shape of a splatter vinyl with unique artwork, a different colour CD and a cassette, while all bundles also add a signed postcard.

Other retailer-specific formats include silver vinyl, from Assai Records, blue vinyl, from HMV, and yellow vinyl, from select indie stores.

After their open-air summertime shows in York and at Blossoms’ Big Bank Holiday Weekend at Wythenshawe Park, Manchester, on August 25, the 30th anniversary Tour will run from November 14 to December 14. Expect the Britpop-era hits, fresh favourites from A Matter Of Time and surprise guest appearances, plus support from special guests The Sherlocks. To check ticket availability amid a raft of sold-out shows, head to gigst.rs/SS24.

Liquid Gold track listing:

Getting Better; Speakeasy; Devil In Your Shoes; On Standby; Going For Gold; Waiting For The Catch, featuring Issy Ferris; Better Days; Parallel Lines; Disco Down; Ocean Pie; All Roads Lead To You; Chasing Rainbows.

The poster artwork for Shed Seven’s Rick Witter & Paul Banks gigs at Huntington Working Men’s Club
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Shed Seven to finish chart-topping 30th anniversary with November and December tour. When do tickets go on sale?

Shed Seven: 23 dates in November and December, including Sheffield, Halifax, Hull and Leeds. Picture: Barnaby Fairley

YORK chart toppers Shed Seven will conclude their 30th anniversary celebrations with a 23-date tour – their biggest ever – in November and December.

Yorkshire gigs on their now traditional biennial “Shedcember” itinerary will kick off with the tour-opening Sheffield Octagon on November 14, followed by Victoria Theatre, Halifax, November 18, Hull City Hall, November 19, and Leeds O2 Academy, November 30.

The tour’s closing night will take the Sheds to Brixton O2 Academy, London, on December 14. Keeping it Yorkshire, the support band at all shows will be The Sherlocks, Kiaran & Brandon Crook’s indie band from Bolton upon Dearne, Barnsley, South Yorkshire.

Tickets for the 30th Anniversary Tour will go on general sale on Friday (22/3/2024) at gigst.rs/SS24. Fans who sign up to the Shed Seven mailing list at shedseven.com/signup by 12 noon tomorrow (19/3/2024) can access an exclusive presale on Wednesday.

“The tour promises to be our biggest yet, as we revisit cities and towns that have been instrumental in shaping our journey over the past three decades,” says the Sheds’ website. “Each night will see the band deliver a career-spanning set, as well as featuring tracks from our number one album, A Matter Of Time.”

The poster for Shed Seven’s 30th anniversary tour

“Expect some surprise guest appearances along the way too,” they tease. “This tour will be our way of saying thank-you to our incredible fans, both old and new,” says frontman Rick Witter. “So, whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or are just discovering/re-discovering our music, we would love you to join us for what will be an unforgettable celebration of 30 years of Shed Seven.”

The Sheds now line up with stalwarts Witter on vocals, Paul Banks on guitar and Tom Gladwin on bass, joined by 2022 recruits Tim Wills on keyboards and Rob ‘Maxi’ Maxfield, once a member of Banks’s band The Rising, on drums.  

The Sheds’ 30th anniversary celebrations kicked off with the maximum bang when sixth studio album A Matter Of Time topped the official UK album charts in January, a feat matched by latest single Let’s Go Dancing in the vinyl, seven-inch, and Scottish singles charts.

Should you be wondering why York is absent from this winter’s tour, the Sheds will be playing two sold-out home-city gigs in the York Museum Gardens on July 19 as part of Futuresound’s four-night outdoor festival, bookended by Anglo-Italian singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti on July 18 and hit-laden London girl band Sugababes on July 21.

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Let’s Go Dancing is the next step for Shed Seven as 30th anniversary celebrations keep on the move with red vinyl single

“Dancing is a way of reminding ourselves there is love in the world,” says Rick Witter of Shed Seven’s new single, Let’s Go Dancing

SHED Seven release anthemic slow burner Let’s Go Dancing today as the latest single from their chart-topping sixth studio album A Matter Of Time.

Already a fan favourite from the York band’s recent sold-out shows, the song is a plea for one final chance when all appears to be lost, a message of hope at a time when the odds seem stacked against you.

“Dancing, depending on the style of course, can be personal or indeed involve multiple people,” says lyricist and singer Rick Witter. “It may include a certain amount of close contact and can create unforgettable moments.

“It can be filled with romance or alternatively it could be an opportunity to let your hair down and get loose. In this day and age, where we are potentially only six feet away from some kind of hatred and negativity, it’s a way of reminding ourselves there is love in the world. I can hear music and I can see lights, so let’s go dancing…”

Let’s Go Dancing is accompanied by a video animated by Nicolás Morera, of Digifish, and directed by Paul Banks, Shed Seven guitarist, erstwhile art college student and creative director of Digifish, the York and Manchester music video production company. To view, head to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUDzUx31iDE

From March 1, the single is available from https://store.shedseven.com/ in a limited-edition run of 500 7” red vinyl copies, each signed individually by the band and hand numbered. The B-side will be a demo of Let’s Go Dancing.

The Sheds’ 30th anniversary kicked off with A Matter Of Time becoming their first ever number one in the UK Official Albums Chart. This summer’s celebratory outdoor concerts at York Museum Gardens on July 19 and 20 sold out almost instantly, bolstered by the intriguing prospect of support slots by special guest Peter Doherty, from The Libertines, after his vocal collaboration with Witter on A Matter Of Time’s closing track, Throwaways.

Also in the diary is the Sheds’ appearance at Blossoms’ 30,000-capacity Big Bank Holiday Weekend at Wythenshawe Park and Gardens, Wythenshawe, Manchester, on August 25. A Shedcember winter tour will be upcoming too.

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First, Shed Seven two-nighter, now Jack Savoretti confirmed for July 18 at Museum Gardens. Fourth gig to be announced soon

Jack Savoretti: First York appearance since 2017. Picture: Supplied

JACK Savoretti is to headline July 18’s triple bill at York Museum Gardens with support from special guests Foy Vance and York singer-songwriter Benjamin Francis Leftwich.

General ticket sales open at 9am this morning at https://futuresound.seetickets.com/event/jack-savoretti/york-museum-gardens/2929799.

London-born acoustic singer-songwriter Savoretti, 40, has released seven studio albums and one compilation, Songs From Different Times, since 2007.

Savoretti, whose exotic full name is Giovanni Edgar Charles Galletto-Savoretti, previously played York in an intimate gig at Fibbers on July 16 2017, when promoter Mr H, alias legendary York club boss Tim Hornsby, enthused: “He’s a class act, a modern-day troubadour, a thrilling performer, a giant.

“Our hero may have started as a lonely acoustic troubadour, relying on not much more than his songs and that careworn growl, but we’re now witnessing a gorgeous widescreen sweep, drawing on a rich Italian heritage, with Morricone-like flourishes and battlefield last stands.”

Storytelling Bangor bluesman Foy Vance

Such sentiments still stand, rubber-stamped by the chart accolade of Savoretti hitting number one with his past two studio albums, March 2019’s Singing To Strangers, recorded at Ennio Morricone’s studio in Rome, and June 2021’s Europiana, conceived in lockdowns at Jack’s Oxfordshire home. A deluxe edition, Europiana Encore, followed in 2022.

In an Instagram post last November, Savoretti revealed he was “in the studio, where we are putting the final touches to the new album”.

The title and release date details are yet to be announced but CharlesHutchPress’s early request for an interview elicited this response from Chelsea Bakewell, marketing manager for concert promoters Futuresound: “Jack’s team mentioned they are pausing on interview until the album is out so this isn’t something which can be facilitated at this moment in time I’m afraid.” Watch this space!

Northern Irish storytelling bluesman, survivor, rocker and folk hero Foy Vance, 49, will be returning to York for the first time since headlining York Barbican on his Signs Of Life tour in August 2022.

Now living in Tottenham, London, York singer-songwriter Benjamin Francis Leftwich, 34, will release his fifth studio album, Some Things Break, next Friday on Dirty Hit Records, his regular home since becoming the label’s first signing at the age of 21 in 2011.

Composed over the past two years at locations across the globe, from London to Nashville, Washington to Stockholm, Some Things Break was produced by Grammy Award-winning Jimmy Hogarth and features collaborations with fellow songwriters Mikky Ekko, Jamie Squire and Jon Green.

Benjamin Francis Leftwich: New album to be released on February 9. Picture: Harry Pearson

The track listing will be:  I’m Always Saying Sorry; Moon Landing Hoax; Break In The Weather; New York; Some Things Break; Spokane, Washington; God’s Best; A Love Like That; Only You and Don’t Give Up on The Light.

“Learning to hold onto certain things and let go of others, with as much grace as possible, I feel like I’m hiding less on this record,” says Leftwich. “Ultimately, I think it’s a record about a kind of slow acceptance that some things break and, for me, sometimes that’s necessary for healing.”

Singer, songwriter and guitarist Leftwich will open his eight-date spring tour at Leeds Brudenell Social Club on April 4, where he will be accompanied by The 1975’s Jamie Squire on piano. For tickets, head to:  www.benjaminfrancisleftwich.com

Leftwich has played myriad concerts in York over the past 15 years, none more contrasting than an exclusive, intimate album launch gig for Gratitude at the 50-capacity FortyFive Vinyl Café, Micklegate, on March 15 2019, followed only a fortnight later by York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe.

Savoretti’s concert will be part of a four-night run of Futuresound promotions at York Museum Gardens. York’s revitalised Britpop survivors, Shed Seven, will ride in on a crest of a wave for sold-out 30th anniversary gigs on July 19 and 20, with The Libertines’ Peter Doherty in support, after topping the album charts for the first time with A Matter Of Time on January 12.

The fourth concert will be announced soon.

The poster for Jack Savoretti’s July 18 concert at York Museum Gardens
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After 30 years Shed Seven hit THE maximum high as ‘the stars align’ for A Matter Of Time to top the album charts

Shed Seven’s Tim Wills, left, Paul Banks, Rick Witter, Rob ‘Maxi’ Maxfield and Tom Gladwin announce hitting number one for the first time in a post on X

SHED Seven have become the first York band to top the album charts, 30 years since their Change Giver debut surfed in on the crest of the Britpop wave.

A Matter Of Time, released last Friday on their new home of Cooking Vinyl, has hit the chart peak after a concerted campaign that began last autumn with pre-sale packages and has continued with myriad versions of the album on vinyl, CD, cassette and digital download packages, accompanied by an on-going ten-venue tour of record stores for meet & greet and signing sessions and stripped-back performances.

Outselling Lewis Capaldi and Taylor Swift over the past seven days, the Sheds celebrated the success of their sixth studio album by posting on X (Twitter) in the past hour: “We’ve waited 30 years for this announcement, but the stars have finally aligned, and we’re thrilled to announce that our album ‘A Matter Of Time’ is number one on the official UK album charts!”

The Sheds have secured their place in offical UK chart history by becoming the British rock group with the longest gap between their debut release and first number one album: a total of 29 years and three months from September 5 1994’s Change Giver to January 5 2024’s A Matter Of Time.

Shed Seven notched 15 Top 40 hits between 1994 and 2003, while their albums A Maximum High (1996), Let It Ride (1998), Going For Gold: The Greatest Hits (1999) and Instant Pleasures (2017) all made the Top Ten.

A Matter Of Time, the Sheds’ first studio release in six years, also was the best-selling album of the week in British independent record shops.