News

Tomorrow Smokie play their only UK Festival this year in Grassington, North Yorkshire.

The guys are looking forward to playing the festival and seeing some old and new faces!

As usual when the World Cup starts, Smokie have a Sweep-stake, throw a few pounds in the pot and somebody will walk away with the money!

In the tranquil surroundings of Lichtenstein, Band and Crew gathered for the team pick.

So who got who?

Terry's best team is Sweden so looks like he's not in the money!

Mike drew France so he has a "Bonne Chance"

Mick pulled out England, so he's definitely hoping for a good run!

The Crew got the pick of the bunch though with Brazil, Germany, Croatia and Switzerland all ending up in their hands.

Looks like the crew are in the money!

The festival season is now in full swing for Smokie, but as usual weather is playing it's part in hampering the flow of the gig!

Last weekend in Berlin. Smokie had to cut their set by three songs because the safety officer at the festival thought that the storm above, was a little too close and fierce for comfort. Rain quite literally peltered the fans who attended for the whole show. Disappointing for the guys but this is what goes on and someone has to take responsibility for safety of all persons working at the festival.

Fast Forward a week and the band once again wondered just how they would be affected in the Czech Republic? Thankfully after a downpour of over five hours, rain finally stopped five minutes before the band took to the stage in Pilbram.

This weekend also played host to Terry's birthday and social media was awash with goodwill messages towards Terry who celebrated his Birthday in the Chateau where the band were staying for the weekend.

A busy few weeks ahead now, let's hope the weather is kind to Smokie!

First of all, please accept our apologies for some recent website issues that have unfortunately stopped any updates in the last three weeks.

So what's been happening?
Mick recently celebrated 22 years in the band. On his own website Mick mentions the wonderful places where he has travelled and speaks of the bond that the five guys have had over so many years!
Sadly for Mick, on the weekend that marked this particular milestone, he also had the bad news that his Les Paul "Gold Top" that so many of you have seen over the last 18 years or so was damaged in transit and suffered a broken neck (We have been informed that it is in the workshop for repair)

Mike also celebrated his birthday recently and we know that all Smokie fans would wish Mike many happy returns!

So far this year, there has been a trend that the band have been truly overwhelmed with, in that almost all their live shows have been sold out!
It is also the case that the band's 2019 Tour Dates are also in extremely good shape, so the guys look pretty busy for the next 18 months or so.

The band have just completed 3 shows in Ireland, before they embark on the festival season next weekend where they head to Jurmala in Latvia before moving onto Kiev.
Summer can get a little crazy with travel for the guys, but hopefully flights will run smooth and good weather will greet Band and Crew wherever they may be!

It's been a good while since Smokie toured Denmark but thankfully a new promoter has made it happen once again and the guys are delighted.

The guys started in Viborg at the Tinghallen before heading to Nykobing Mors on Saturday. Two bumper crowds gave the guys a Danish welcome that they have been so accustomed to.

Smokie have a great history in Denmark having recorded so many albums at PUK Studios in Randers. So it was on the third show in Veijle, that Mike was quick to remind the Danes about the amount of songs the band had recorded over there, and the two sets that they played at the stunning Musikteater was witness to some of the Uncovered Project songs in the first set.

The band take a few days off now before playing Aalborg on Thursday, a venue they have so often played in the past.

After the show last night, Terry told the Danish promoter and Tour Manager how wonderful it was to be back in Denmark!

It was a mild Tuesday afternoon in the sleepy town of Llandudno in North Wales, when the Smokie roadshow pulled into town, to kick off their 2018 UK Tour.

 Ten shows spread over three weeks would see the guys navigating the length and breadth of the UK.

 Bad weather threatened to scupper the shows in Scotland and technical issues left the band in darkness for two songs in Glasgow, but these are the ups and downs of touring in general. As usual, the guys took it all in their stride once again without complaint!

 Playing the UK has now become a firm fixture on the Smokie calendar and once again, the band reflect on the shows, the travel and the folks that support their efforts to bring what the rest of the world seem to take for granted!

 Mick says-

“The Inverness show for me was another belter! I just love the place, it’s a great vibe and it’s just one of those great venues”

 On the day of the Southport show, Martin was left stranded on the train between stations when bad weather threatened his efforts to get down to England from his hometown of Inverness. Luckily he made it just in time for sound check, but there were a few members who had started to worry!

 Playing York once again was a welcomed change, the guys hadn’t played the Barbican for the best part of ten years, so what is another local gig for Mike, Terry and Mick, and so well attended, it will probably be on the next tour that’s for sure!

 Mike says-

“The Barbican is a wonderful sounding venue, I felt we played well that evening too, very enjoyable”

 The show in Darlington was a loud affair, helped in the volume stakes by Steve’s family showing their support from somewhere in the balcony.

 Travel can often be ...

Today, the 23rd of March marks the anniversary of the death of Alan Barton.

Band members past and present remember Alan with a great fondness, that tragic day will never be forgotten.

We have (without a doubt) Just completed our most successful tour of Ireland in recent years. Apart from 29 Tickets that were not sold and had been left for media representatives at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, ALL our concerts on the Emerald Isle "Sold Out".

Our last three shows in Kilkenny, Limerick and Drogheda were pure magic!

To the folks of Ireland, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts, you never let us down.

We can also confirm that there will be three more shows in May in Ireland (see dates) and we will soon confirm another three shows in October shortly, check back here for details.

Smokie's Irish Tour 2018 started on a very strong note with three sellout concerts. For full reports go to www.lochnesscomposer.com.