Former Lindisfarne members Ray Laidlaw and Billy Mitchell are giving back to their hometown community by playing a special benefit gig in aid of the homeless.
Following the fantastic response to the first leg of the Lindisfarne Story UK tour earlier this year, the pair have announced a second run of nationwide dates in November culminating in a very special show in North Shields, the town where Lindisfarne began.
The final performance on Saturday 26th November at the Exchange in North Shields will be a benefit show for North East Homeless. The pair’s performance will celebrate 50 years of Fog on the Tyne, the album which escalated the band to worldwide acclaim.
It was the UK’s biggest selling album in 1971, and Ray and Billy tell its remarkable story with a combination of rare video, unseen photographs, acoustic versions of their favourite Lindisfarne songs and tales from life on the road and in the recording studio.
The tour travels from Winchester to Basingstoke and Potters Bar to Barnard Castle and all points between but it is the North Shields date that has an emotional tie for both Billy and Ray.
“North East Homeless does amazing work in our home town, work that unfortunately is now more crucial than ever. It’s important to Billy and I that we can give something back to the community that has supported us from the very beginning.”
Brian Burridge, Founder of North East Homeless said. “Lindisfarne have been such a big influence on me growing up, to have them supporting us is amazing. Having North East Legends like Ray and Billy is so important to us. It’s about Northerners looking after Northerners, in very difficult times”
The Lindisfarne Story is a celebration of the life, times and music of the North East of England’s most beloved band, Lindisfarne. opening the ’50 Years of Fog’ tour in Saltburn on 15th November.
Tuesday 15th November – SALTBURN – The Theatre
Wednesday 16th November – CONSETT – Empire Theatre
Thursday 17th November – BARNARD CASTLE – The Witham
Saturday 19th November – WINCHESTER – Theatre Royal
Sunday 20th November – STOURBRIDGE – Katie’s Secret Garden
Monday 21st November – NORTHAMPTON – Deco Theatre
Tuesday 22nd November – POTTERS BAR – Wyllyotts Theatre
Wednesday 23rd November – BASINGSTOKE – Haymarket Theatre
Thursday 24th November – OTLEY – Courthouse
Friday 25th November – NORTHALLERTON – The Forum
Saturday 26th November – NORTH SHIELDS – The Exchange
Tickets for the performance at The Exchange on 26th November are available from www.attheexchange.info
Photo: L to R Ray. Brian (NEH) Billy – John Millard Photography
