Baz Warne: “Not just ‘a book tour’ and not quite ‘a gig’, hopefully Convivial is more than the sum of its parts,” he says
THE Stranglers’ longest-serving frontman, Baz Warne, will visit Pocklington Arts Centre on February 26 and Leeds Brudenell Social Club on March 8, the closing night of his 12-date Convivial tour.
Still out front for the “Men in Black” after more than 25 years, singer, guitarist and writer Warne has put together an evening of songs, stories and conversation as he embarks on such an itinerary for the first time, where all the unscripted, unconventional shows will be seated, topped off by ample opportunity for questions from the audience.
Last October, Warne launched his book No Grass Grows On A Busy Street, a charming collection of tour diaries, stories and reflections on a quarter of a century of fronting The Stranglers, the veteran British post-punk and New Wave band, as well as his time in The Toy Dolls and Smalltown Heroes.
After taking part in a Q&A at the Louder Than Words music/book festival in Manchester, curated by rock journalist John Robb, Warne was inspired to assemble a package of songs, stories and conversation that could be toured across the UK.
“I wanted to put together a unique event of entertainment and memories in a relaxed setting, not just ‘a book tour’ and not quite ‘a gig’, hopefully more than the sum of its parts,” he says. “Who knows how the evening might unfold? One thing is guaranteed: every night on this run will be completely different!
Convivial? “‘That’s a good word, we don’t use it enough anymore, let’s call it [the tour] that’,” says Baz Warne
“When I was describing my idea for the show to management, and used the word ‘convivial’, I stopped myself and said ‘that’s a good word, we don’t use it enough anymore, let’s call it that’.”
Published in hardback, No Grass Grows On A Busy Street is a retrospective compilation of detailed tour diaries, interviews and stories that give an until-now unrivalled level of access to The Stranglers.
As a proud son of the North East, Warne reflects poignantly on his life in music, from humble beginnings to the world’s biggest stages, not least joining The Stranglers at such a tumultuous time and later coming to terms with the loss of original bandmates and dear friends, keyboardist Dave Greenfield and drummer Jet Black.
Looking back on a career spanning five decades of music and popular culture, the book features untold anecdotes and newly written contemplative commentary from Warne that proves how time is often the best lens.
Tickets for Pocklington Arts Centre (7.30pm) and Leeds Brudenell Social Club (doors 7.30pm) are on sale at crosstownconcerts.com.
The poster for Baz Warne’s Convivial tour, playing Pocklington and Leeds