By
Rob Jones
THE SEARCHERS
‘Thank You Tour’
13thApr – 17thJune 2023
43 Dates
Book tickets: www.the-searchers.co.uk
THE LONGEST RUNNING BAND IN POP HISTORY IS BACK FOR ONE FINAL TOUR
WHEN JOHN MCNALLY FORMED THE SEARCHERS IN 1957, aged just 16, he could never have imagined the phenomenal success that his band would enjoy: 50 million record sales, thirteen UK chart hits – including three No.1’s – and a sound that inspired some of the greatest artists of all time, including The Byrds, Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen.
This is a chance to experience a truly legendary band, possibly for the last time. Original members John McNally (guitar, vocals) and Frank Allen (bass, vocals) are joined by Spencer James (guitar, vocals – Spencer has been part of the line-up for 37 years) and the newly recruited, highly rated Richie Burns (drums).
Frank said “It’s been four years since our last tour. We all needed a break but now we are ready to come back and do what we do and love best. Mind you, I do sometimes shudder at what we’ve taken on – 43 dates in 3 months – that’s quite a schedule for a band of a certain age! But I’m really up for it as are the rest of the guys.”
John said “I set this band up in 1957 and so far things have worked to plan. I thought we would probably do a 43-date UK tour 66 years later. I’m joking of course! Who would have imagined that we are still able to do this – touring the best towns and cities in the UK and still playing to thousands of fantastic fans. I can’t wait.”
The band has chosen to call this the ‘Thank You Tour’ as a mark of respect and appreciation for the legions of fans who have supported them over the years. Fans will be treated to a full set of The Searchers’ best-loved songs, including ‘When You Walk In The Room’, ‘Goodbye My Love’, ’Sugar & Spice’, ‘What Have They Done To The Rain’ as well as their three UK No.1 hits ‘Sweets for my Sweet’ (1963), ‘Needles and Pins’ (1964) and ‘Don’t Throw Your Love Away’ (1964). Also included will be material from the 70s and 80s, when the Searchers were signed to Sire Records, becoming label-mates with some of the hippest acts around including Talking Heads, The Cure, Madonna and The Ramones – who covered ‘Needles and Pins’. This was one of the band’s favorite creative periods and saw them recording at Rockfield Studios in Wales (famous for Queen’s recording of Bohemian Rhapsody). Keep an ear out for gems including ‘Hearts in Her Eyes’, ‘Love’s Melody’, ‘Infatuation’ and ‘It’s Too Late’.
The tour opens at the charming Wimborne Tivoli in Dorset on Thursday 13th April, culminating with a fantastic finale in their home-town, at the famous Liverpool Philharmonic on Saturday 17th June.
The Searchers Thank You Tour runs 13th April – 17th June 2023, with 43 dates across England. ‘The Ultimate Collection’ (3CD) is out now on BMG. Tickets, dates and info: www.the-searchers.co.uk
APRIL |
Box Office |
Thurs 13th WIMBORNE Tivoli |01202 885566 |
Fri 14th WIMBORNE Tivoli |01202 885566 |
Sat 15th WEYMOUTH Pavilion |01305 783225 |
Sun 16th EASTLEIGH Concorde Club |023 8061 3989 |
Thurs 20th TORQUAY Princess |0333 009 6690 |
Fri 21st WESTON-SUPER-MARE Playhouse |01934 645544 |
Sat 22nd HUNGERFORD Warners Littlecote House |0330 100 9774 |
Sun 23rd DARTFORD Orchard |0343 310 0033 |
Thurs 27th BUXTON Opera House |01298 72190 |
Fri 28th BEDFORD Corn Exchange |01234 718044 |
Sat 29th KINGS LYNN Corn Exchange |01553 764864 |
Sun 30th BURY ST EDMUNDS Apex |01284 758000 |
May | |
Mon 1st CROMER Pier and Pavilion theatre |01263 512495 |
Thurs 4th FOLKESTONE Leas Cliff Pavilion |0844 871 7615 |
Fri 5th HASTINGS White Rock Pavilion |0343 310 0031 . |
Sat 6th HAYES The Beck |0343 310 0044 |
Sun 7th SOUTHSEA Kings Theatre |023 9282 8282 |
Weds 10th WYCOMBE Swan |01494 552870 |
Thurs 11th CRAWLEY The Hawth |01293 553636 |
Fri 12th PETERBOROUGH New Theatre |01733 852992 |
Sat 13th ST ALBANS Alban Arena |01727 844488 |
Sun 14th BASILDON Town Gate |01268 205 300 |
Thurs 18th WHITLEY BAY Playhouse |0191 251 5484 |
Fri 19th DARLINGTON Hippodrome |01325 405405 |
Sat 20th HALIFAX Victoria Theatre |01422 351158 |
Sun 21st BIRMINGHAM Town Hall |0121 780 3333 |
Thurs 25th SWANSEA Grand Theatre |01792 475715 |
Fri 26th YEOVIL Westlands Centre |01935 422 884 |
Sat 27th RUGBY Benn Hall |01788 533719 |
Sun 28th LOUGHBOROUGH Town Hall |01509 231914 |
June | |
Thurs 1st IPSWICH Corn Exchange |01473 433100 |
Fri 2nd LOWESTOFT Marina Theatre |01502 533200 |
Sat 3rd NORTHAMPTON Deco Theatre |01604 491005 |
Sun 4th LLANDUDNO Venue Cymru |01492 872000 |
Weds 7th SHREWSBURY Severn Theatre |01743 281281 |
Thurs 8th BASINGSTOKE Anvil Theatre |01256 844244 |
Fri 9th EASTBOURNE Hippodrome Theatre |01323 80 20 20 |
Sat 10th TUNBRIDGE WELLS Assembly Hall |01892 530613 |
Sun 11th STEVENAGE Gordon Craig Theatre |01438 363200 |
Weds 14th HULL City Hall |01482 300 306 |
Thurs 15th LEEDS City Varieties |0113 243 0808 |
Fri 16th STOCKPORT Plaza |0161 477 7779 |
Sat 17th LIVERPOOL Philharmonic |0151 709 3789 |
