CHART-topping York band Shed Seven are to embark on their first UK tour in two years – but will not be appearing in their home city.

The five-piece band, who enjoyed a run of 15 consecutive Top 40 hits from 1994 to 2003, will play 15 cities in December along the length and breadth of the UK – but their home city will miss out because of a lack of venue with a large enough capacity. The only place which could have hosted one of their gigs – the Barbican – has been closed since 2004.

Guitarist Paul Banks said it was a shame, but given that on their last tour in 2007 they were attracting upwards of 2,000 people it would be unrealistic to play in one of the city’s smaller venues such as Fibbers or the Duchess.

He said: “If there was a venue big enough in York we would play it, but unfortunately, since the closure of the Barbican Centre there isn’t anything and I don’t think we’re of the age that we would be doing the Grand Opera House.”

Despite the lack of a York gig, the band is looking forward to getting back on the road and there are plenty of opportunities for local fans to see the group in action with concerts at both Leeds Academy and Sheffield O2 Academy.

Frontman Rick Witter said: “The reaction to our reunion tour of 2007 was amazing and after a couple of memorable festival appearances last summer, we couldn’t resist the urge to play live together again this year. Fans can expect to hear all the singles plus other past favourites that we didn’t get the chance to revisit in 2007.”

Witter also exclusively announced that the band have been working on new material.

“Although we have no plans to release another album, we have written two storming new tracks and one will be released as a download-only single to coincide with the tour. As well as touring to celebrate the past this also gives us something to look ahead to.”

Paul said the tour would, for the most part, see them again living on a bus for a month.

He said: “It’s proper on-the-road. We will be five blokes on a bus smelling each other’s socks on a morning. That was our life for ten years and you get used to it and you miss it. We are a lot older now and we have families and kids but it’s nice to relive the past. It’s a good laugh.”

The Sheds also have a brand new website at www.shedseven.com which contains new and exclusive content.

This includes a new live album recorded on the band’s 2007 reunion tour which will be made available track by track as a free weekly download.

A new and exclusive live track will be made available every week.

The first track is She Left Me On Friday and will be available tomorrow.

It can also be previewed below:


Shed Seven tour dates

November 30: Inverness Ironworks
December 1: Aberdeen Music Hall
December 3: Glasgow Academy
December 4: Manchester Academy
December 7: Newcastle O2 Academy
December 8: Lincoln Engine Shed
December 9: Nottingham Rock City
December 11: Sheffield O2 Academy
December 12: Birmingham O2 Academy
December 13: Bristol O2 Academy
December 14: Norwich UEA
December 16: Oxford O2 Academy
December 17: Portsmouth Pyramid
December 18: London HMV Forum
December 21: Leeds Academy