Folk-rock legends Fairport Convention are set to return to the Island, exactly one year after their sell-out performance at Peel's Centenary centre.
News of their show at the Gaiety Theatre on Thursday 4th March will be warmly received, to say the least, by their fans; last year's show sold out rapidly, with people flying from the UK specifically to attend the gig.
From quiet beginnings - the band, named after founder member Simon Nicol's parents' house, played their first gig in a church hall in 1967 - Fairport Convention were to become one of the most distinctive groups to come out of Britain.
Their groundbreaking fusion of folk and rock won them wide acclaim and was to have a profound influence on successive waves of folk artists and groups. Most famously, the group brought the talents of vocalist Sandy Denny and guitarist Richard Thompson to the public's attention.
Over the years, the group has weathered mixed fortunes and countless line-up changes and is still going strong today. Their annual festival at Cropredy in Oxfordshire is renowned for its loyal following and family atmosphere.
The current line-up consists of guitarist Simon Nicol (the only remaining original member); vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Chris Leslie; Ric Sanders; bassist Dave Pegg; and Gerry Conway on drums.
Support for the night will come from Keith Donnelly and Flossie Malavialle.
Tickets priced ?20 are on sale now from the Manx Welcome Centre (Sea Terminal) and the Villa Marina box office. Alternatively, call the hotline - 01624 600555 - or book online at www.villagaiety.com
