News: The Icicle Works announce full UK autumn tour for 2019

including a date at the Engine Rooms in Southampton

Liverpool’s neo-psychedelia pioneers The Icicle Works will return to the live circuit this autumn for a huge run of dates, playing their greatest hits, fan favourites and the best of Ian McNabb’s solo material.

Emerging at the end of the punk rock and new wave era, The Icicle Works were formed in 1981 by Ian McNabb (vocals/guitar), Chris Layhe (bass), and Chris Sharrock (drums). They rose to fame two years later when they scored hit singles “Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)”, which broke the US Top 40, and “Love Is A Wonderful Colour”, which reached the Top 20 in the UK charts. Their critically acclaimed self-titled debut album soon followed, achieving chart success on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Icicle Works triumphed with singles including “Hollow Horse” and “Understanding Jane” after teaming up with producer Ian Broudie, shifting their sound into harder rock territory. With four Top 40 albums between 1983 and 1988, Ian McNabb reformed The Icicle Works with new members and released their final album Permanent Damage on Epic Records in 1990, before going solo.

As a solo artist, Ian released numerous critically acclaimed albums and penned an autobiography, “Merseybeast”, which was published in 2008. The Icicle Works reunited in 2006 for a sold-out 25th anniversary tour before marking their 30th anniversary in 2011 with more live dates. Fast-forward to 2019 and itís been 35 years since the release of the Icicle Works classic, self-titled debut album and 25 years since Ian’s Mercury Prize-nominated solo album, Head Like A Rock.

Named after the 1960 short story, “The Day The Icicle Works Closed” by science fiction author Frederik Pohl, it’s four decades since their formation and there’s no sign of slowing. Their global popularity has soared over the last year, with the 1984 hit “Birds Fly (Whisper To A Scream)” featuring in the Netflix hit series, ëStranger Thingsí. The current line-up (Ian McNabb (Vocals/Guitar), Roy Corkill(Bass), Richard Naiff(Keyboards), Matthew Priest(Drums) have been together since 2006 and McNabb believes theyíre stronger and better than ever before, honing their set and performance over the last 13 years.

The Icicle Works shows are always a powerful experience and an epic 2.5-hour set, for anyone who genuinely loves great music and greater musicianship. Tickets are on sale now at *ticketmaster.co.uk and ianmcnabb.com.

Friday 27 September 2019 – Newcastle, O2 Academy2*
Saturday 28 September 2019 – Sheffield, Plug
Friday 04 October 2019 – Clitheroe, The Grand
Saturday 05 October 2019 – Farncombe, St Johnís Church
Friday 11 October 2019 – Cardiff, The Globe
Saturday 12 October – Southampton, Engine Rooms
Friday 18 October 2019 – Cottingham, Civic Hall
Saturday 19 October 2019 – Norwich, Arts Centre
Friday 25 October 2019 – Derby, The Flowerpot
Saturday 26 October – Isle of Man, Villa Marina
Friday 01 November 2019 – Bristol, Thekla
Saturday 09 November – Birmingham, O2 Academy2*
Friday 15 November – Leeds, Brudenell Social Club