Fandabidozy
by Deb on 18/11/2024Portsmouth Guildhall - PortsmouthRating: 5 out of 5You are too late Portsmouth was the last one and you missed it haha
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The Best Of Tubular Bells l, ll & lll
Following on from the hugely successful extended 50th anniversary celebrations of Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells, which toured throughout the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand in 2023 and 2024, The Best of Tubular Bells I, II & III, which celebrates the brilliance of these iconic and seminal musical pieces, will tour across the UK throughout February and March 2026.
One of the most pioneering and influential musicians of all time, Mike Oldfield’s visionary Tubular Bells series spans three albums and 17 years, with Tubular Bells created in 1971 and released in 1973, Tubular Bells II released in 1992, (the filming of the premier from Edinburgh Castle is one of the most viewed and streamed musical events ever) and Tubular Bells III released in 1998, (with the excerpt of 'Far Above The Clouds' featured in the 2012 London Olympic Opening Ceremony). With each album, Oldfield expands on the incredible themes and theatrical variations he first composed at 17 years old, continually innovating and pushing boundaries.
The Best of Tubular Bells I, II & lll 26-date UK tour will feature an expansive live group, led and arranged by Oldfield’s long-term collaborator Robin Smith, which will see extended sections of each iconic Tubular Bells album performed, as well as worldwide hit single 'Moonlight Shadow.‘
"Hearing the timeless music performed with such passion and love brought tears to the eye as the audience rode on waves of Oldfield’s magic. For fans of live music this was pure joy and, for fans of Oldfield, this was perfection." – Lancashire Evening Post
"The whole show was huge fun, every musician was entertaining in their own way, all were massively talented and we left with enormous smiles on out faces, safe in the knowledge that we’d watched something very special indeed." – Birmingham Live
Tubular Bells, created in 1971 and released in 1973, was the debut studio album by English multi-instrumentalist, composer, and songwriter Mike Oldfield. At just 17 years old when he started composing the music, Oldfield recorded and played almost all the instruments on the album, gained worldwide recognition when the opening theme was used for the soundtrack of the horror film, The Exorcist and went on to become the highest-selling instrumental album of all time.
A bold and progressive fusion, Tubular Bells is a journey through classical, jazz, folk, progressive rock, and electronica and went on to win a Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition in 1974.
Tubular Bells II was released in 1992 and, like its predecessor, charted at No.1 in the UK Albums Chart. Featuring the top 10 single ‘Sentinel’, Tubular Bells went 2x Platinum in the UK.
The third instalment in the Tubular Bells series was released in 1998 and draws on inspiration from the electronic music popular in bars and clubs in Ibiza, where Oldfield moved to in 1996.
Since the premiere of Tubular Bells 50th celebration it has been obvious the huge love that there has been for Mike’s music. Smith says: "In 'The Best of' concert we get to perform excerpts from all three masterpieces and highlight the musical brilliance and technical advancements that have occurred between the first and the third albums. It will be an unforgettable evening and a great challenge for the wonderful musicians."
Robin A. Smith, the Grammy-nominated Musical Director of the tour show, was completely mesmerised by Tubular Bells the moment he heard it. He studied Composition at the Royal College of Music, spent several years touring the world as a piano player and was the principal pianist of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, before meeting Mike Oldfield over 30 years ago.
Smith has collaborated with Oldfield for more than three decades, with performances of various Tubular Bells albums at iconic locations such as Edinburgh Castle, HorseGuards Parade and the 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony
You are too late Portsmouth was the last one and you missed it haha
The shows 1st part started very SLOW. Dangerously slow, almost put me to sleep. Thankfully it picked up. They shouldve used a couple of more uptempo numbers ("Punkadiddle"and "Guilty"spring to mind) But of course it was the 2nd half everyone was there for. Beautiful is the best word to describe the performance of "Tubular Bells pts I and II"Fantastic musicianship all the way around. Would love it if theyd bring this tour to the U.S.
A really brilliant event, fantastic musicians and singers. Loved every minute
Lovely venue and the performance was brilliant. We were well entertained for a couple of hours by very talented musicians who brought the brilliant Tubular Bells to life! Well deserved standing ovations at the end of the first set, and again, at the end of Tubular bells part 1. This was quite emotional. A final standing ovation at the concerts end interspersed with rendition of the sailors hornpipe. What an entertaining show.
This has got to be the most hauntingly beautiful live performance I have ever seen, mixed with the tremendously powerful playing by some incredibly talented musician. I do have to say though, Anastasia's vocals were just WOW 😱
Well managed from order to receipt of tickets and communication before the event. Warwick Arts centre was full of amenities. Whilst the online pre booking of parking was simple, information around where to park was unclear. The band were great!
Just the best night. From start to finish a brilliant performance.
Utterly brilliant performance from consumate musicians
Saw it at Poole last night and I don't think l I've ever enjoyed a concert more. It got several standing ovations throughout. The sound was perfect, the musicians and voices incredible and everyone was saying the same who went. It was brilliantly performed and transported me back in time. The guitar solos were phenomenal. I would rush to see it again if it returned to the Lighthouse in Poole.
Really great to hear this music again played by some really great musicians.