The first two shows of the Declaration 2014 Tour have set the standard for the rest of the shows. Click here for the photos from Liverpool and Oxford We have received many great emails from fans after these two shows… thanks to Pete Cole for the review below. Mike Peters – Oxford O2; Sunday, 16 February 2014 I am an unashamed fan of The Alarm and Mike Peters. You may [read more]
Mike Peters – O2 Academy , Liverpool 14.02.2014 Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10 Almost 30 years to the day since the album Declaration was released, Mike Peters found himself once more inside the 02 Academy and was greeted by all who wouldn’t let a rainstorm get in the way of listening to one of the greats of British Rock. Not greeted, lauded perhaps would be a better word, even praised [read more]
Declaration (2014) The 2014 version of Declaration is an exercise in musical deconstruction. Mike Peters has taken the elements of an album released 30 years ago, broken it apart, redefined it, and infused it with the past, present and future. It’s an impressive piece of work, and one you don’t want to miss. Mike Peters has spent the past 10 years searching for the spirit of The Alarm. Through several collections, [read more]
The Alarm – Declaration and Declaration Collection (Limited Edition of 300) is available to order now (February 13th 2014), exactly 30 years to the day since the original album was released to dramatic effect in 1984. This time around, fans are still guaranteed an equally exciting listening experience. Everyone who delves into this 21st Century version of Declaration, will be able to hear the album in a totally new way, [read more]
Mike Peters Declaration shows in the UK and USA are selling out. In the USA, both concert appearances in New York at the Iridium on March 15th have completely sold out after extra tickets were released last week due to public demand. Following on from earlier sell outs in Glasgow, London in the UK shows at Korks in Otley, Yorkshire and the Bristol Thunderbolt have both sold out. Ticket sales all [read more]
Mike Peters and The Alarm delivered an electrifying weekend of music at The Gathering 22 which was sold out to capacity (1300) and celebrating a return to LLandudno after a four year hiatus in Prestatyn. Photos are now available for The Gathering 22 Friday – Rehearsals and evening concert with Mike Peters – PHOTOS or SLIDESHOW Saturday Daytime – Masterclass, Mastermind Quiz, Q&A, Setup – PHOTOS or SLIDESHOW Saturday Night [read more]
Bring It On! If you have tickets and are attending this years ‘SOLD OUT’ Gathering then here is the itinerary of all the events taking place. 2014 – The year of Declaration starts here!
Are You Going To Be There? The Gathering 22 which takes place over three days on January 31st, February 1st and 2nd 2014 at Venue Cymru in Llandudno, North Wales is now ‘SOLD OUT’. All of us here at www.thealarm.com look forward to welcoming fans from all over the world and thanking you for your wonderful support! Bring it on.
Sky Movies Premiere in the UK is showing ‘Vinyl’ at the following times Friday 24th January – 5pm Friday 24th January – 6pm (Sky Movies +1) Saturday 25th January – 9.10am This is your chance to catch the film if you were unable to see it at the cinema. The film is also available to buy in the Alarm store Vinyl Makes the Top Ten We were very pleased to [read more]
We are pleased to announce that the Mike Peters Declaration Tour will be in California in April 2014. More dates are likely to be announced soon, but the current line up is:- 17 April The Coach House – San Jaun Capistrano 18 April Mcabes – Santa Monica 24 April Brick by Brick – San Diego 26 April Fender Center – Corona The California dates follow on from the extensive UK [read more]
Mike joined Wille Nile and Bruce Springsteen on stage last night at the Light Of Day benefit show at the Paramount Theater on Saturday 18th January. Find out about Light Of Day here Photos and news links after the videos. www.walesonline.co.uk – (inc. comments from Mike Peters) www.hollywoodreporter.com www.rollingstone.com www.nj.com www.app.com www.flickr.com consequenceofsound.net www.mycentraljersey.com
Many of you will be familiar with the series of ‘My Alarm Story’ and ‘My Love Hope Strength Story” I invite you to read Alarm fan and LHS volunteer, Dave Spragg’s story. Dave kicked off the Alarm Story series a few years ago with his own illuminating Alarm tale. Dave has recently been diagnosed with cancer and is fighting the battle of his life. Dave is the flag bearer for [read more]
“I find myself in reverie…” It’s that time again…. 8 weeks on and Mike and I are back in Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor, awaiting the results of Mike’s blood tests. The Alaw Ward (where LHS has donated £45,000 recently) is a whirl of activity and my nerves match the energy of the ward as doctors and nurses fly about, administering blood tests, drugs, good and bad news…. I can usually [read more]
Hi everyone. If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter you will know what a crazy year I’ve had! Gigs with five different bands. Seventy odd gigs with The Cult. Finishing touches to my own first solo album. It’s been an amazing year! As usual I’m so looking forward to The Gathering. I’ll be doing the guitar masterclass with Mike on Saturday morning and then doing an advance signing of [read more]
Mike Peters will be in the USA on Saturday 18th January 2014, to make a special guest appearance at the Bruce Springsteen supported Light Of Day Benefit Concert for Parkinson’s Disease at the Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park, New Jersey. Mike will be performing alongside Johnny Rzeznick of the Goo Goo Dolls and other well known Light of Day supporters such as Jesse Malin, Joe D’Urso and Willie Nile (whom Mike has [read more]
Attention all Gatherers! Thanks for ordering your Gathering tickets. It is hard to believe that this will be our 22nd year of Gatherings! We are excited to host Gathering 22 at Venue Cymru, Llandudno and work has already begun behind the scenes in preparation for January 31st! PLEASE NOTE: MPO will post your physical tickets to you during the second week of January (week beginning 13th Jan). There are now only 50 weekend [read more]
With guitars raised in the air, ‘Declaration’ / Marching On’, has always proved to be a classic start to many an Alarm show throughout the eras and this year’s Gathering Masterclass will be a very special one indeed, as it marks the thirtieth anniversary since the release of the ‘Declaration’ album back in February 1984. This year, Mike Peters will personally present the story behind both ‘Declaration’ and ‘Marching On’, [read more]
What a year 2013 has been. My first thoughts are of being on stage at last January’s Gathering with everyone as close to the stage as possible and rocking as hard as can be – together. It was a wonderful experience to play before a large crowd without a barrier. The energy was amazing and the thought of it stayed with me throughout the months that followed. Another highlight was [read more]
Love Hope Strength @ Britain Against Cancer Love Hope Strength UK was present at the Britain Against Cancer Conference 2014 that took place in Central Hall Westminster on December 10th. Britain Against Cancer is hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer (APPGC), and is one of the largest conferences of its kind in the UK and is an annual fixture in the Westminster calendar. LHS UK had an [read more]
The Gathering 2014 – Set List? As the countdown to The Gathering 2014 (January 31st – February 2nd 2014) continues, Mike Peters has begun to turn his attention towards the set lists planned for both Friday and Saturday concerts. This year, we are asking all who are attending to submit their own set lists and ideas for songs to be performed in both acoustic and electric performance settings. Mike himself [read more]
The Mike Peters Declaration show at London O2 Islington Academy has completely sold out. Mike Peters / Alarm fans who are intending to visit other shows on the tour are being further advised to purchase tickets in advance in order to avoid disappointment. Ticket outlets all over the country are reporting excellent sales for all shows. “There’s a landmark on the skyline, There’s a sign standing in the road” Mike Peters [read more]
Mike Peters – The Alarm – Christmas Declaration 2013 The Alarm.com is pleased to announce details of the latest releases for the holiday season. ‘Abide With Us’ – The Alarm live at The Gathering 2013 is the latest double CD release on the Twenty First Century Recording label featuring some 38 tracks and over two hours and twenty minutes of Mike Peters and The Alarm in concert. We are also [read more]
Mike Peters will make his now annual trip to Bergen in Norway to play ‘Sammenkomsten’. Over two nights at the Madam Felle venue on Friday / Saturday December 20th and 21st 2013, Mike Peters will perform two varied acoustic sets featuring songs that span all the decades of his fascinating songwriting career. The Madam Felle, Bergen is a great music venue and has witnessed some amazing shows there since Mike [read more]
The Mike Peters Declaration show at King Tuts in Glasgow has completely sold out almost four months in advance. Mike Peters / Alarm fans who are intending to visit other shows on the tour are now being advised to purchase tickets in advance in order to avoid disappointment. Ticket outlets all over the country are reporting excellent sales for all shows (especially the London date for March 7th which only [read more]
Mike Peters will make a very special local appearance at Ysgol Dewi Sant, Rhyl, North Wales, November 29th for Dewi Sant Rocks (Sold Out). Dewi Sant Rocks is an acoustic concert to benefit the pupils of Ysgol Dewi Sant. The evening will feature a unique Mike Peters home town storyteller style solo. As the evening develops, Mike Peters will also be joined by members of the music teaching staff, school [read more]
Mike Peters will make a special guest appearance at the Light Of Day (Wales), Benefit Concert (Parkinson’s Disease), at the Tape Community Arts Centre, Berthes Road, Old Colwyn, North Wales this Saturday evening (7.00 pm), 30th November, along side Mercury Prize winner Badly Drawn Boy, Jesse Malin (Degeneration), Joe ‘D’Urso and US recording artist Guy Davis. Badly Drawn Boy – or Damon Gough to use his real name, is Lancashire’s answer [read more]
Mike Peters Declaration Tour is proud to announce the following shows in Wales. Fri Feb 21st – Wrexham Central Station 01978 358780 – www.centralstationvenue.com Fri Feb 28th – Neath Gwyn Hall 0300 3656677 – www.gwynhall.com Sat Mar 1st – Ebbw Vale Institute 01495 708022 – www.wegottickets.com Sun Mar 2nd – Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach 02920 230130 – www.seetickets.com Tickets for these new dates are on sale now. Feb. 14th Liverpool O2 Academy [read more]
Mike Peters Declaration Tour is proud to announce the following three shows in Scotland. Feb. 22nd Edinburgh Liquid Rooms Mar. 29th Glasgow King Tuts Mar. 30th Aberdeen Lemon Tree Tickets for these new dates are available now via www.gigsinscotland.com Feb. 14th Liverpool O2 Academy Feb. 16th Oxford O2 Academy Feb 20 Keighley Gassienda Feb 21 Wrexham Central Station Feb 27 Derby Flowerpot Mar. 05th Birmingham O2 Academy Mar. 06th Sheffield O2 [read more]
JOURNEY n. pl. jour·neys A: The act of traveling from one place to another; a trip. I’m sure you will all have read, as I have, the postings on the Big Country Facebook and website announcing that the group have decided to revert back to a four piece. I would like to thank Big Country and all the Big Country fans for a wonderful four years and wish everyone well in their [read more]
Mike Peters Declaration Tour has been extended to include the following venues around the UK. More dates will be added including Scotland and South Wales very soon. Tickets for these new dates will go on general sale from Monday 11th November. Feb 20 Keighley Gassienda Feb 21 Wrexham Central Station Feb 27 Derby Flowerpot March 8 Bristol Thunderbolt March 21 Chester Compass March 22 Worcester Marrs Bar March 23 Exeter [read more]
Feb. 14th Liverpool O2 Academy Feb. 16th Oxford O2 Academy Mar. 05th Birmingham O2 Academy Mar. 06th Sheffield O2 Academy Mar. 07th London Islington O2 Academy Tickets for all dates are on sale now at www.ticketweb.co.uk Mike Peters Presents The Alarm ‘Declaration’ 30th Anniversary Tour. Upon its original release on February 13th 1984, ‘Declaration’, The Alarm’s debut album, instantly catapulted Mike Peters and the band on to the worldwide stage. [read more]
It’s another early start for the Love Hope Strength team. It’s Sunday but here in Tel Aviv it is the equivalent of Monday morning back home and so there is a lot of traffic on the road as we make the journey to Nazareth to join Dr. Amal and her team for the Arab Donor Drive. The drive has been organised at the request of people in the community who [read more]
My alarm clock has never been worked as hard as it is here in Tel Aviv. At 8.00 am Jules and I are waiting outside the hotel and within seconds are greeted by the smiling face of Lior Sabban driving the car towards us on this bright and sun shiny day. We are bound for the Sea Of Galilee. In the car with us is our trusty team of Russ [read more]
Mike Peters Presents The Alarm ‘Declaration’ 30th Anniversary. One night // Two Shows. Live in New York at Iridium 1650, Broadway. Saturday 15th March 2014. [First performance at 2000. Second performance at 2200] “Will Never Die” – Three words of intent from Mike Peters and The Alarm’s evergreen 1983 single ‘Sixty Eight Guns’, the epicentre of the band’s worldwide hit album ‘Declaration’ which celebrates it’s 30th anniversary in 2014. A unique one man [read more]
Today begins at the more respectable hour of 10 o’clock and our first meeting of the day is with Miri Ziv of the Israeli Cancer Association at the Eretz Israel Museum Coffee Shop in Tel Aviv. Shlomo drives us to the meeting and we spend a lunchtime connecting with Miri and hear all about the marvellous work conducted in Israel by the ICA. Dr. Amal and Prof. Brautbar both spoke [read more]
The light of the Golden City pours into the room at an altogether unholy hour… We have a meeting at 8 o’clock (6.00 AM for us technically), so we fight the urge to not wake up and struggle down the stairs to reception for the first meeting of the day. We are meeting with Natan Shapira and we talk through ways to bring a Love Hope Strength contingent to the [read more]
Touchdown in Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv airport was greeted with a spontaneous round of applause from all the on board passengers (which is something I have not experienced since my early flights to the USA back in the early 1980’s). Jules and I joined in enthusiastically, and took it as a sign that our mission to Israel was going to be even more special than we dared hoped it might [read more]
MISSION TO ISRAEL On Wednesday October 2nd 2013, I will be travelling to Israel to give my support to an incredible lady named Dr. Amal Bishara who has been single-handedly running an Arab Donor Registry in towns and villages throughout Israel. The registry is doing phenomenal work and despite a serious lack of funds, Dr. Amal and her supporters have managed to sign up over 20,000 individuals and find 24 [read more]
Thirty years ago, on September 21 1983, The Alarm performed for the very first time on UK television show Top Of The Pops. ‘Sixty Eight Guns’ was in the UK charts at number 54 and the band’s performance on the BBC was beamed into the households of the UK and watched by millions. Watch The Alarm’s performance again here and read this report with the band that was conducted in [read more]
The summit of Snowdon: Here you are nearer to Heaven “Copa’r Wyddfa: yr ydych chwi, yma, Yn nes at y nefoedd” On Saturday September 14th 2013, 200 trekkers, on behalf of Mike & Jules Peters’ charity, Love Hope Strength Foundation, set off on the seventh annual climb of Snowdon. Click Here To See The Photo montage Click Here To See The Photo’s in Slideshow When Mike was diagnosed with leukaemia [read more]
On Saturday September 7th 2013, on our second annual climb to the summit of Ben Nevis, a brave team of LHS trekkers set off to conquer Ben Nevis on behalf of the Love Hope Strength Foundation… “If at first you don’t succeed, try again: Mist and rain you should not heed, try again; When the clouds have rolled away, And the sun holds glorious sway, Climb the path without delay, [read more]
‘Sixty Eight Guns Will Never Die’ – The Alarm’s evergreen 1983 single will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its original release on September 12th 2013. To mark the occasion, lead singer, Mike Peters recently entered The Third Man Record Store in Nashville (owned by Jack White III of the White Stripes), to cut a limited edition run of 30 individual ‘direct to disc’ 6″ vinyl singles. Each single features a [read more]
Due to a flurry of last-minute registrations for this weekend’s Love Hope Strength charity fundraising event, Ben Nevis Rocks, it has been decided to keep the registration open until mid-day on Friday. Mike and Jules Peters are thrilled that so many supporters have committed to the climb already and are looking forward to spending some quality time on the mountain with everyone. An informal reception for all participants both before [read more]
The story of Susan Striffolino and her LHS jouney is inspiring and heartwarming. Why not check out the LHS website and read Susan’s amazing story. Click here for Susan’s story
Join Love Hope Strength Founders Mike Peters and James Chippendale live on Facebook this Sunday at 1400 (GMT) / 7.00 PM (EST), for a cyber get together of all Love Hope Strength Volunteers. https://www.facebook.com/groups/219292398093753/ Mike and James would like to take this opportunity to personally thank all The Alarm’s fan volunteers for their efforts in making this summer one of the most successful seasons in Love Hope Strength donor drive [read more]
Mike Peters, sat down with CBGBs media team last year at the CBGB festival. Vinyl premiered at the festival last year. Thanks to the CBGB facebook page for posting this, and why not check out the CBGB festival Youtube Channel. Click here to purchase the Vinyl DVD. Click here to purchase the Vinyl soundtrack and ‘making of’ DVD.
We are very pleased to announce that Mike will be returning to the NY area for a very special solo show at Page One in Glen Cove, NY on Monday August 19th. THIS EVENT HAS NOW SOLD OUT.
Mike Peters In America – Someone to Live For Mike Peters personal blog about his adventures in the USA has just been updated to include the run through Texas which featured Mike Peters on the texas Daily talk show performing live and speaking with Love Hope Strength co-founder James Chippendale. Read all about it here.
“Knowing that each one of our gigs has the potential to save lives is very humbling,” Plant says of Peters’ bone marrow registration booths at concerts Mike Peters, the frontman for U.K. bands the Alarm and Big Country, has been fighting cancer for 18 years. In the mid-’90s he went into spontaneous remission after being diagnosed with lymphoma. Ten years later he was diagnosed with leukemia. “My ambition is to [read more]
Greetings from Canada. I’m sat in the hotel lobby in Montreal, Canada and about to enter the final month of this long and adventurous tour with Big Country. I’m really looking forward to coming back to the UK and hitting the mountains of Ben Nevis and Snowdon again in September with all of you who have signed up to participate in both of those events. Ben Nevis Rocks – September [read more]
Mike Peters will play an opening slot acoustic set with Cherie Curie (Lead singer of The Runaways), on August 29th at the Harriet Himmel Theater @ Cityplace in West Palm Beach, Florida. Tickets and information available here www.cheriecurrieconcert.com
Mike Peters In America – Someone to Live For Mike Peters personal blog about his adventures in the USA has just been updated up to include the July 10th Aspen show when Mike and Big Country met up with The Foo Fighters drummer (and longtime Alarm / BC fan), Taylor Hawkins. Read all about it here.
Being born into a large family, music was always going to play a pivotal role in my upbringing through exposure to my sisters Elvis Pressley records and my brothers incessant cassettes of Slade or the vinyl LP covers of Top of the Pop’s compilations. My own tastes developed through the glam years of the Sweet and Alice Cooper before dabbling in Punk and moving through a myriad of changing sounds [read more]
Love Hope Strength is proud to announce that we will be hosting a LHS stall and running a donor drive throughout the Rewind Festival in Scotland this weekend. A big thank you to LHS volunteers, Brian Finnie and Caroline Fraser for running the donor drive. Please call by the LHS booth and Get on the List if you are at Rewind this weekend.
Check out the new ‘easier on the eye’ layouts of all our recent Mike Peters / Alarm / Gathering photo collections on Flickr. Most of the shots were taken by our very own roving reporter and cameraman Andy Labrow. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikepetersorganisation/collections/ The Gathering 22 @ Venue Cymru takes place on January 31st – Feb 2nd 2014. Weekend tickets are on sale now and available here. Thanks for your continued support.
VINYL – The Movie based on Mike Peters and The Alarm’s rock and roll hoax of 2004 is available to order now on iTunes UK and Sky Box Office. The actual DVD itself with a host of special features is also available to order direct from www.thealarm.com Vinyl has received fantastic reviews including this week’s DVD of the week in The Radio Times. VINYL Directed by Sara Sugarman Starring Phil Daniels, Keith Allen and Jamie [read more]
Mike Peters Interview @ KX935 Mike Peters was recently interviewed at length by Martin Hanlin (Founder member of The Silencers who toured with The Alarm in 1987/88), for KX 93.5 Radio station in Laguna Beach, California. Part two of this lengthy and revealing interview which covers a wide variety of subjects from the beginnings of Mike Peters musical career to the present day including his modern day adventures with Big [read more]
Mike Peters is to perform a one off solo acoustic show in Austin, Texas on Monday, July 15th. The show will take place as part of Live Vibe’s Sideshow Confessional Concert Series at the Listening Room, Winflow, 1315 West Sixth Street, Austin, Texas 78703. The show will be an intimate up close and personal type of affair hosted by Love Hope Strength co-founder James Chippendale who will be asking Mike [read more]
Mike Peters Interview @ KX935 Mike Peters was recently interviewed at length by Martin Hanlin (Who was a founder member of The Silencers who toured with The Alarm in 1987/88), for KX 93.5 Radio station in Laguna Beach, California. The interview is running over the course of two lengthy sessions and covers a wide variety of subjects from the beginnings of Mike Peters musical career to the present day. You [read more]
Read this amazing piece about Mike Peters, Big Country and Love Hope Strength in the Huffington Post by Kristi York Wooten. Videos included…Read, Watch, Share!
Mike Peters has created a Daily Blog site featuring diary entries from the US tour he is currently undertaking with Big Country. The blog captures intimate and candid insights into Mike’s life on the road as a musician and a chronicle of the work he is pursuing in his role with Love Hope Strength Foundation. Read all about it here: http://mikepeters2013.wordpress.com
Mike Peters fans in the UK should be on the look out for the latest edition of Uncut Magazine as the cover mount CD features a Willie Nile recording of the Willie Nile / Mike Peters song ‘American Ride’ which Mike and Willie wrote together on the Direct Action tour when Willie came over to the UK to open for The Alarm. It’s also the title track from Willie Nile’s [read more]
As Mike Peters and the Big Country boys hit Denver ahead of the show at Marquis Theater, there’s a great article in the Denver press about Mike’s cancer battle and history with Big Country. Check it out here online at www.westword.com
1. First off, how are you feeling these days? I’m feeling as good as I could hope to be. I recently became very ill again during The Alarm ‘Vinyl’ tour but was able to keep going although I was only a few seconds away from having to cancel everything. I went to see my hematologist Dr. Edwards and if my blood count was one degree higher than it turned out [read more]
Mike Peters appears in the latest edition of the USA’s Backpacker Magazine. www.backpacker.com This weekend Mike Peters will undertake his first trek on US soild when he takes part in the Love Hope Strength event – Vail Rocks
An in depth interview with Mike Peters will begin serialisation at the official Alarm facebook page from Monday. An extract from the interview will appear every day before the complete transcript is published at www.thealarm.com on Friday June 14th. Conducted by 21st Century reporter Steve Fulton. The interview is the biggest and most detailed piece Mike has conducted in recent years. It promises to be a fascinating read.
Mike Peters, the Love Hope Strength Foundation and Delete Blood Cancer, along with MP’s Chris Ruane and Mark Tami have just completed the first donor drive for UK MP’s and workers at the House of Commons in London. This is a landmark moment for Mike and LHS and helps raise the profile of the charity. Mike and LHS are grateful for all the support of Alarm fans for being at [read more]
RELEASED ON DVD JULY 15th 2013 [Europe Only] After a swathe of excellent Britsh media reviews ‘Vinyl – The Movie’ is to be released in Europe on DVD this July 15th 2013. Pre-order your copy in advance with MPO and receive a ‘Signed by Mike Peters’ edition of the original CD single that started it all – ’45 RPM’ by The Poppy Fields (aka The Alarm in disguise). Priced £12.99 plus [read more]
My Journey with Mike by Jules Jones Peters 2013 I’m sat on a train whizzing through the English countryside, on my way to the BIg Country Forum show in London and reflecting on the fact that it is June 1st 2013 already! It seems to be a time of reflection after reading Steve Fulton’s wonderful piece about The Alarm’s first visit to the USA, 30 years ago today http://thealarm.com/archives/19749 Can it [read more]
To Celebrate the anniversary of The Alarm’s first ever gig in America on June 1st 1983 at the San Francisco Civic. 21st Century’s intrepid reporter Steve Fulton revisited the period and has come up with this fascinating and insightful article which brings together unseen photos and recollections from the band members themselves. Read on…. The Alarm – Wake Up America 1983 [On the War tour with U2] In May 1983, The [read more]
Mike Peters Calling : Please Read This On June 4th 2013, myself and Love Hope Strength Foundation in partnership with Delete Blood Cancer UK are hosting a stem cell donor recruitment drive in the Houses of Parliament aimed at getting as many British MP’s as possible (including the Prime Minister hopefully), to sign up as potential stem cell donors. It will be a major opportunity to send a positive message [read more]
Mike Peters and The Alarm turned in a stellar performance at the Mall Of Asia Arena in Manila recently. The audience were totally overwhelmed by the band’s high powered rock and roll energy that included a Mike Peters walkabout and a storming set of classic songs. Absolute Reality and Rain In The Summertime were the high points for the audience as both these songs have proved extremely popular in this [read more]
Follow Mike Peters on his Journey with Big Country across Europe here. Mike Peters, the band and crew are snapping away on their smartphone cameras to produce a Big Country – European Tour Travelogue. Everyone is involved and the snaps are proving very popular. You don’t need to be on facebook to view the photos. You can view them on the facebook page without an account by checking out the galleries [read more]
Calling all Alarm Fans Click here to win free tickets to see Mike Peters perform with Big Country at the London Forum on June 2nd 2013. This will be the last chance to see Mike Peters and Big Country in the UK before they head for a three month tour of North America. Following the concert there will be an ‘aftershow party’ with Mike and the band in attendance. http://www.facebook.com/mamaco.theforum/app_323821067677323
VAIL ROCKS 2013 with Mike Peters and Big Country. This summer on June 14th / 15th I will be taking part in my first Love Hope Strength climb on American soil when I will be making the journey to Colorado to ascend Vail Mountain as part of the Vail Rocks event weekend. I would love it if some of you Love Hope Strength supporters, Alarm and Big Country fans would consider [read more]
THE GATHERING 22 Friday 31st of January, Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd February 2014 Venue Cymru, Llandudno, North Wales LL30 1BB THE GATHERING – A NEW CHAPTER IN THE BOOK OF OUR LIVES A New Chapter in the long running history of the Gathering begins on January 31st 2014 when Mike Peters brings The Gathering 22 to Venue Cymru, Llandudno [taking place in The Hall which was the much loved residence [read more]
The Alarm are currently in Manila for two shows with “Modern English”. The main show at the Mall of Asia Arena was a stormer…and we have official photos available soon. But the Alarm crew, Andy, Dave and Mark have been clicking away on camera phones to bring you…”The View From The Crew”. More photos will be added in the next few days. www.facebook.com
My latest ‘Journey’ with Big Country began in earnest last night at a packed out ABC in Glasgow. It was another heart in the mouth beginning to a tour which is about to take up the entire summer with shows all across the UK, Europe, America and beyond. The Big Country album ‘The Journey’ was released on Monday amidst a swathe of excellent press reviews (see below) and rewarded with [read more]
I am proud to announce that a new Big Country album – ‘The Journey’ will be released next week on April 8th (Cherry Red) in the UK and April 30th (Sony Megaforce) in the USA. In fact, the lead track ‘Hurt’ is available to order from iTunes UK as of 1st April. ‘The Journey’ contains 12 songs which all feature a full writing, playing and singing contribution from myself along [read more]
Mike Peters was back playing solo at the weekend as one of the main acts at The Nantwich Jazz, Blues and Music Festival. Now in it’s 17th year, the festival, organised by local hotel owner Phillip Martin, is a fantastic live music festival with dozens of acts appearing around the town over the festival weekend. It also turned out that Phillip introduced Mikes second gig with The Toilets back in [read more]
Mike Peters, The Alarm, The Alarm Crew and The MPO would like to thank everyone who came out to the shows on The Vinyl Tour and Vinyl Screenings. The shows, which featured a special ‘Vinyl set’ at each show, all had special moments, from St. Davids Day in Cardiff to the end of the road in Manchester. We are now pleased to present photos from all the shows below. Here [read more]
The ‘Vinyl’ film has hit the film news in some of today’s paper press. The Sun, The Daily Star and The Express all have glowing reviews. Daily Star, p.41 7/10 review by James Cabooter Lead review: The Paperboy Quotes: ‘amusing comedy drama’ ‘Daniels is brilliant as the ever-enthusiastic Johnny Jones’ Daily Express, p.53 3 star review by Allan Hunter Lead review: The Paperboy Quotes: ‘The punk spirit lives again in [read more]
Last night saw the stars of the film Vinyl, Mike Peters & The Alarm, some rock ‘n’ roll luminaries and fans of the band converge on The Empire Leicester Square in London for the offical premiere of the film. Check out the latest news features below. www.bbc.co.uk – Mike and Phil Daniels on BBC Breakfast www.wirelessmag.co.uk – Exclusive interview with the cast of Vinyl www.express.co.uk – THE punk spirit lives [read more]
Special Vinyl Screenings for Alarm Fans in Cardiff with Journalist, Dave Owens Dave Owens is arts correspondent for Media Wales – covering the Welsh entertainment scene for the South Wales Echo, Western Mail and Wales on Sunday. Dave is a born and bred Cardiffian. He’s also a lifelong Alarm fan and the author of the book Cerys, Catatonia and the Rise of Welsh Pop. Dave Owens’ 3000 word article is [read more]
Special Vinyl Screenings for Alarm Fans on Vinyl Tour! Showcase Cinemas! MPO is delighted to announce that in conjunction with Showcase Cinemas, special screenings of Vinyl and Q&A with Mike Peters will take place at the following cinemas: Book your tickets now to enjoy this unique cinema experience with the Man behind the Movie, Mike Peters!! LEEDS: Sun, 10th March – Q&A by Mike Peters at 5:30pm followed by screening [read more]
MPO is delighted to announce that the soundtrack to Vinyl is now being dispatched! Copies of Vinyl can be ordered in the store Watch your letterboxes…
We are pleased to announce the following support bands, selected from the overwhelming response to the ReverbNation campaign, as guests on the next part of the Vinyl tour. Newcastle support is Twister, another local band who about to release their second single. Check them out here www.reverbnation.com/officialtwister Due to the amount of submissions for Newcastle we have also added Micky Oliver, who has just released his new album. You can [read more]
Special Announcement: We’re happy to announce a one-off special screening of ‘Vinyl’ with a Q&A and performance by Mike Peters at the Vue Cinema in Islington on 15th March 2013 at 5.30pm. This has been set up so that those seeing The Alarm live that night at the O2 Academy can catch the movie beforehand. Tickets are on sale NOW! – click here
Limited Tickets Available for Vinyl London Premiere, March 12th News reaches The Alarm tour bus of tickets for the Vinyl Premiere in London on 12th March 2013. Click Here for Details
The Alarm Vinyl 2013 Tour kicked off in style last night in Bournemouth. A lot happened in a short space of time. Mike performed at the Love Hope Strength booth and then jumped up onto the main stage and lead The Alarm through a 100 minute set punctuated with modern era songs like 45 RPM, Down The Road and A Breed Apart. Spirit Of ’76 was the moment for the [read more]
The Alarm – Vinyl Soundtrack – Limited Edition Collectors Digipak FREE POSTAGE UNTIL THE END OF THE ALARM TOUR ON MARCH 17th The Alarm – Vinyl Soundtrack album is available to order now as a special limited collectors edition digipak, complete with full-length 22 track audio CD and a special DVD that features a Mike Peters-hosted documentary, following The Alarm and Vinyl acting star, Phil Daniels, right through the writing and recording [read more]
As Mike was conducting his Question & Answer session at the Vinyl screening in Wrexham this week, it was pointed out to Mike that it was 9 years to the day since the original 45 RPM release! Where does the time fly? Who would have thought that the seeds of 45 RPM could have been sown and blossomed into such an incredible story…. A Top 27 hit in the UK [read more]
Vinyl: Making a movie on a Mac with Mike Peters Glasgow event – Thursday 21st Feb 5pm – Apple Store, Buchannan Street, Glasgow Find out how a modern independent movie is developed, from inception to marketing. On the eve of it’s UK release and to coincide with Mike Peters appearance at the Glasgow Film Festival screening of ‘Vinyl’, join Mike at the Apple Store in Buchannan Street, Glasgow to find [read more]
Hello Glasgow Alarm Fans! Mike Peters to appear at Glasgow Film Festival! Calling all Alarm fans – your chance to see Mike Peters and the screening of Vinyl at the Glasgow Film Festival this Thursday, 21st February 2013 Please click on link below for all further information: http://www.glasgowfilm.org/festival/whats_on/4716_vinyl Free Rock&Roll!
Free Rock And Roll – the final cut featuring Mike Peters, The Alarm, Phil Daniels and a cast of thousands. This new online edit was put together by Russ Kendall and his team at Kaleidoscope Pictures in Provo, Utah (see photo below). This new edit features some great additional footage and even more shots from the chalet scene and The Gathering….. can see yourself on screen? FREE ROCK AND ROLL [read more]
The Vinyl Premiere in Wales is to take place in the Catrin Finch Centre as part of the Ffresh Festival, NEWI, Wrexham on Wednesday 20th February. Your chance to see Mike Peters in conversation regarding Vinyl the film which includes an exclusive recorded acoustic performance by Mike Peters. This event will run from 5pm – 6pm: (Everyone has to be inside the space by 5pm: before filming). The event will [read more]
The Alarm – Sold Out – Glasgow – Oran Mor, 9th March 2013 MPO is delighted to announce that the Glasgow show on the Vinyl Tour is SOLD OUT. Pictured below is The Alarm on our last Glasgow appearance. Thanks to all the Scottish Alarm Fanbase, as well as the travelling fans for your incredible support. 9th March promises to be an amazing night on The Alarm Vinyl Tour… We have [read more]
We are pleased to premiere a ‘rough cut’ of the Free Rock and Roll Video. With cuts from the Vinyl film and scenes shot at The Gathering 21 this rough cut will be available until the final edit is released.
Free Rock And Roll by The Alarm (featuring Phil Daniels on guest vocals with Mike Peters), is the fast and furious lead track from the forthcoming ‘Vinyl’ soundtrack album due for release on March 4th 2013. You can hear the recording for the first time right now, over on our ReverbNation profile page. http://www.reverbnation.com/thealarm As Mike announced at The Gathering 21, bands / artists who have a ReverbNation profile page can also submit [read more]
We are pleased to present a selection of photos from The Gathering 21. Click The links below to go to the slideshows Setup Friday – Mike Peters / Joe Silva Saturday Daytime – Big Swim / Mastermind / Filming Saturday Night – The Hummingbirds / The Alarm Sunday Photos: Andy Labrow / Dr Ian To download a photo. Move your cursor over the slideshow and a link should appear in [read more]
Mike Peters has been booked to play an acoustic show as part of the Nantwich Jazz Blues + Music Festival. Sunday 31st March 2013 Mike Peter’s Acoustic show Nantwich Civic Hall Market St Nantwich CW5 5DG Doors open 7.45 PM Festival website: www.nantwichjazz.com Tickets available here
Mike Peters and The Alarm’s annual Gathering celebration celebrated it’s 21st year with a complete sell out at Prestatyn, Pontins this weekend. Over 2,000 fans, many travelling from the four corners of the globe, began posting on the band’s Facebook page in the early hours of Sunday morning that the massive three hour set performed by Mike Peters and The Alarm on Saturday night ranked amongst the best ever seen. [read more]
MPO is proud to announce the release of three brand new Mike Peters and The Alarm recordings in time for Christmas 2012. The Alarm In The Poppy Fields Collected Works [10th Anniversary 5 disc Edition] The Alarm Live At The Gathering 2012 [4 disc set] Mike Peters – 25th Anniversary Acoustic Alarm Tour Double CD All three albums were painstakingly assembled down to the minutest detail by Mike Peters himself [read more]
A brand new Mike Peters and The Alarm video for ‘Everafter’ taken from ‘In The Poppy Fields Collected Works’ is now available for your viewing pleasure. The film was shot in Bergen, Norway during the recent Mike Peters acoustic tour. All Christmas Bundle packages are now on their way around the globe so watch those post boxes! The Gathering 2013 is just over the horizon and we are all looking [read more]
The Red Poppy Tour has come to an end in the UK with another sell-out show and a whole range of songs being performed from the Mike Peters catalogue and beyond!! From Chester, Treorchy, London, Doncaster and Newcastle we are pleased to present another set of photos documenting some amazing shows and Mike fabulous and much talked about shirt! London proved to be an eventful show, starting acoustically in the audience and [read more]
Dear All I have just come off stage in York, England having received a donation of £1799 made out to Love Hope Strength Foundation. The gentleman who climbed up onto the stage to present the cheque (Dave Anderson of Motonovo Finance), is typical of every single member of our 5 year old Love Hope Strength family in that he has been driven to make a difference in the fight against [read more]
The Red Poppy Tour has now been on the road for a month. This week Mike Peters enters the last week of the UK leg of The Red Poppy Tour, with shows in Chester, Treorchy, London, Doncaster and Newcastle. For photos from last weeks shows in York, Liverpool, Sheffield and Worcester, please watch the slideshow here.
We are pleased to announce four shows as part of the Red Poppy Tour in Norway. The tour in Norway last year went really well and the tour diary of the event can be viewed here. Details can be found in the tour can be seen in the concerts section.
For those that have attended any of the shows on Mike’s Red Poppy Tour, you will already know that the gigs has have been amazing, with great comments on social media and very positive reviews in the press. Here is a 5* review by Ian Hall from ‘Liverpool Sound And Vision‘. “he gave the audience that came to watch him in the o2 Academy a night they shall never forget”.
The Mike Peters solo acoustic Red Poppy Tour has reached the half way point of the UK leg of the tour with amazing gigs in Birmingham, Derby, Oxford, Bristol and Exeter. Check out the photos here and a great review below from the local press. Open Mike Night Mike Peters continues to entertain a warmly appreciative fanbase. Lee Downing saw his latest visit to Birmingham. Mike Peters, leader of internationally [read more]
The Red Poppy Tour continues across the county, with the most recent shows in Wrexham, Otley, Edinburgh and Glasgow showcasing songs not played for a long time! If you get the chance to pop along to one of the dates, it could be your chance to hear anything from the Mike Peters catalogue of work! Photos from the recent shows are now available to view in this slideshow. We also [read more]
Twenty First Century is proud to announce details of The Alarm ‘Vinyl Tour’ 2013! Read on for all the latest on Vinyl, the movie, the soundtrack album and the Tour!!! THE ALARM ‘VINYL TOUR’ 2013 Feb 28TH – BOURNEMOUTH O2 Academy 0844 477 2000 Mar 01ST – CARDIFF University 02920 230130. Mar 02ND – LIVERPOOL O2 Academy 0844 477 2000 Mar 03RD – SHEFFIELD O2 Academy 0844 477 2000 Mar [read more]
Following on from a successful Pinktober sold out concert at Edinburgh Hard Rock last week, Mike Peters looks forward to returning to Scotland for 2 special shows in Edinburgh and Glasgow this weekend, following on from last night’s sold out show in Otley. The Red Poppy Tour is proving to be a huge success. Please read the reviews below: Amazing nite in Wrexham. Arwel Williams Brilliant night in Manchester. Mandy [read more]
The ‘Vinyl’ film is getting great press and critical response and recently won ‘Best Feature’ and ‘Best Screenplay’ awards at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival in Hollywood. All of us here at www.thealarm.com would like to congratulate director Sara Sugarman and scriptwriter Jim Cooper as we look forward to the British opening date of March 15th 2013. In the next few weeks there are several showings at two film [read more]
The Red Poppy Tour started with bang on Friday, with packed shows in Keighley and Manchester. Click here to see photos from the shows, and check out the upcoming dates below. Nov 1st – Wrexham, Central Station Nov 2nd – Korks, Otley Nov 3rd – Edinburgh The Electric Circus Nov 4th – Glasgow, King Tuts Nov 7th – Birmingham 02 Academy Nov 8th – Derby, Flowerpot Nov 9th – Oxford, [read more]
The BYUtv programme “Mike Peters- The Song That Changed My Life” is now available to watch on demand, or via the media player below. The show can now be watched direct from the web at BYUTV.org www.thesongthatchangedmylife.com
Mike Peters Red Poppy Tour – Tickets selling fast! Korks Otley SOLD OUT!! As the Red Poppy Tour beckons, please be aware that tickets are selling fast and a few shows are near sell out, following on from Korks Otley which has been sold out for weeks! Mike is currently in the studio, finishing off mixing the new MPO releases (to be released, November 2012) and recording the Big Country [read more]
Dear Alarm Community, It is with great pleasure that we introduce you to Joe Silva, who will be appearing as Special Guest on Mike Peters’ forthcoming UK Red Poppy Tour. Please read on to discover more about Joe and his link with Mike and The Alarm. We look forward to seeing you all on the Red Poppy Tour which promises to be a memorable way to celebrate 30 years of [read more]
Here at MPO, we are delighted to share with you, a 30 second trailer for ‘The Song That Changed My Life’. The episode will debut on Monday Oct 15 at 8PM & 11PM Mtn ( Oct 16 3am & 6 am London) on BYUTV or via web at BYUTV.org Re-broadcast again on Wednesday Oct 17 at 6:30PM & 9:30PM Mtn. (Oct 18 1:30 am & 3:30 am London) on BYUTV or via web [read more]
Big Country’s Bruce Watson, Mike Peters and Jamie Watson will perform a special one-off Big Country Acoustic set in support of Hard Rock Edinburgh’s Pinktober. Breast Cancer charity fundraising festival on Thursday, October 25th, 2012. Tickets are available from Hard Rock, Edinburgh direct or online at www.ticketweb.co.uk Big Country Acoustic (feat. Bruce Watson, Mike Peters & Jamie Watson) at Hard Rock, Edinburgh, Thursday October 25th 2012 The Journey starts here…. [read more]
We have five additional tour tour dates to add to The Red Poppy 30th Anniversary Tour 2012. Nov 1st Wrexham, Central Station Nov 3rd Edinburgh The Electric Circus Nov 4th Glasgow, King Tuts Nov 22nd Treorchy, Rhondda, Park & Dare Theatre, Nov 24th Doncaster, The Leopard Check out the ‘concerts‘ section for full info including ticketing details of all 20 shows
We have a new feature on the Love Hope Strength website called My Love Hope Strength Story, we begin with Lincoln Woolsey…. Please check www.lovehopestrengthfoundation.co.uk for further stories in the near future. MPO/Big Country/Love Hope Strength was delighted to welcome the winner of the LHS Auction, Lincoln Woolsey, on board, last weekend. Lincoln pledge of £6600 in total to join Mike and Big Country in Fort William on Sunday, followed [read more]
A huge thank you to all the trekkers who supported Love Hope Strength at the weekend. Following on from Snowdon the week before, Mike and over 150 trekkers climbed Ben Nevis. It was a tough climb and everyone performed amazingly, despite the fast pace and difficult climb. The team was rewarded by a very moving performance at the summit, where Mike read a list of those people that had been [read more]
Big Country headlined Solfest in Cumbria after a marathon weekend which involved climbing Ben Nevis, performing at Pink Pop in Holland and headlining back in England at Solfest. It was an emotional moment as it marked the last of the festivals for the Summer. If you missed Mike and Big Country this Summer, you can tune in to Sky Arts Friday August 31st at 9pm for highlights of the Cropredy [read more]
Lydia, a longstanding LHS supporter, has set herself an amazing challenge this year. Read about her challenge in her own words, and if you have never donated to LHS before and feel moved by the dedication of Lydia, please feel free to donate to her challenge and the support of The Love Hope Strength Foundation through her just giving page. A bit about me…. I have been an Alarm fan [read more]
This weekend sees an amazing event taking place at Ben Nevis. On Friday night the Celtic Supergroup will take to the stage at the BA Club in Fort William, featuring Mike Peters (The Alarm/Big Country), James Stevenson (The Alarm), Smiley (The Alarm), Bruce Watson (Big Country), Jamie Watson (Big County) and Derek Forbes (ex Simple Minds). This one off gig really will be a treat for everyone who can make [read more]
Snowdon Rocked Yesterday saw Mike Peters, his family, a collection of musicians, and dozens of Love Hope Strength supporters, make the trek to the top of Mount Snowdon in Wales. The original event in the LHS calender it remains the closest to Mike heart, as it was taking his fight to this summit that kicked it all off! Check out the Love Hope Strength Website for more info about this [read more]
The Story of Love Hope Strength on CBS News in USA! Please take a moment to click on the link below to read all about the fantastic work of Love Hope Strength! Thanks to all of you LHS supporters for helping make our dreams a reality. www.cbsnews.com With love, hope and strength, Mike & Jules Peters xxxx
Mike Peters and Big Country played one of their best sets ever at Fairport Cropredy Convention in Oxfordshire to a sell out 30,000 crowd on Sat, 11th August, 2012. Please click on You Tube links below and view photos and set list below for a flavour of the performance…. Big Country play their last 2 Summer Festivals at Pink Pop in Holland on 25/8/12 (after Mike has climbed Ben Nevis [read more]
The Big Country show at Scone palace last month was a fabulous event. Please check out Jules’s personal facebook (Access All Areas) photos from the event on her facebook page.
The Olympic Celebration Concert, “Access All Eirias”, at The Eirias stadium in Colwyn Bay, North Wales was a fantastic success. The weather, unlike at many festivals, stayed sunny, and a great mix of acts wowed the North Wales crowd. Click here to see our photos of Access All Eirias
As part of the Olympic day celebrations at the Access All Eirias event in North Wales, Mike was interviewed twice for the BBC, with this segment being broadcast via BBC Wales. A report was also available on the national and world service, and we will publish that if it becomes available. Just just watch the interview when Mike was interviewed with Sophie Evans, scroll half way down this BBC news [read more]
We are adding a new section called ‘Alarmemorabilia’ to the web site which will feature the occasional piece about a guitar, poster or item of historic ‘Alarm’ clothing as demonstrated by Mike Peters at various Gatherings in recent years. The section begins with news of a very famous ‘Alarm’ Amplifier that is currently for sale via eBay or in person at Angel Music in Denmark Street, London The 50 watt [read more]
Mike meets Prince Andrew at the British Open Golf Competition at St Lytham & Annes. Prince Andrew watched Dylan and Evan in a putting competition. Maybe, the Prince will turn up at the next Alarm show in London, rumored to be next March…
Mike with Big Country had an amazing weekend at Hard Rock Calling, and had a great interview and session with Absolute Radio. photo – Absolute Radio You can listen to the session here and watch the interview here. Mike and Jules have shared their personal photos from the weekend which hopefully will give you a birds eye view of the Hard Rock calling Festival. Please view Jules Facebook photos here [read more]
Big Country to perform at Rewind! Big Country are to play the Rewind Festival at Scone Palace, Perth, Scotland on Saturday 21st July. The festival will be playing host to some of the greatest acts from the 80’s. http://www.rewindfestival.com/lineup/view/artist/69/big-country http://www.rewindfestival.com/
Mike Peters of The Alarm Red Poppy 30th Anniversary Tour 2012 Mike Peters, lead singer and songwriter of internationally acclaimed Welsh band The Alarm will this year embark on a huge 30 date acoustic World Tour, celebrating 30 years of The Alarm’s distinctive Red Poppy. The exploding Red Poppy made it’s iconic debut on the band’s ‘Marching On’ single (released via the IRS Record label back in 1982) and has featured in [read more]
Thurs July 5th – 15 Free pairs of tickets to see Vinyl Premiere in New York! Vinyl in New York! 15 Free pairs of tickets to see Vinyl in New York! MPO is delighted to announce that we have 15 free pairs of tickets to see the Vinyl Premiere in New York! Please send your request to alarmcalling@mac.com – Please put “Vinyl” in the subject The Alarm Team will reply to [read more]
The Country Club reporter Scoop Edwards has been updating the Big Country website with the inside view of the Isle of Wight show. Big Country – Isle Of Wight Main Stage Big Country produced a stirring set at the 2012 Isle of Wight Festival, bringing the sunshine and lifting the spirits of a vast crowd soaked by two previous days of torrential rain. As the band stormed into their second [read more]
Latest press news for Vinyl. More details of the New York premiere will be released soon. Online version of the article available via www.dailypost.co.uk
News and media from the Big Country show at the Isle of Wight festival. From the manor to a mud bath! Downton’s Elizabeth McGovern takes to the stage at the Isle of Wight – and still looks like a Lady. Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk Downton Abbey’s Lady Cora Rocks Fans Read more: www.express.co.uk Check out the audio with photos on the Absolute Radio website.
Mike Peters in the USA – July 4th – Independence Day Concert @ Maxwells, Hoboken, New Jersey MPO is delighted to announce a special one off Independence Day Concert in New Jersey on July 4th at legendary Maxwell’s. Tickets are available via TicketFly
For the latest Vinyl / Mike Peters / Big Country piece on the WalesOnline news site, please click the link to view Mike talking about the current plans for the Vinyl film. Click here to view the article
During a recent stock search, we have unearthed a number of CD’s which we had thought were out-of-print. We have now added to the store the triple CD soundtrack from the legendary millennium Gathering show. CLICK HERE TO ORDER The CD is a numbered limited edition, and features 3 colour coded CDs covering the acoustic and electric sets (set list below). Disc One – [Silver] Into The 21st Century Absolute [read more]
Sarah Champion talks to Tony and Mike from Big Country before their ‘Road to Hard Rock Calling’ gig at the Vault at London’s Hard Rock Cafe. Just prior to the intimate and amazing show from the iconic London venue, Sarah talks to Mike and Tony about the past aspects of the band and the future of Big Country. Watch the Video
‘Ask Simon’, our very own Gathering concierge, reflects on the Gathering 20. Please read on and savour every moment of Simon’s memories of the Gathering 20 and anticipate the excitement of G21 to come next January! An AskSimon view of Gathering 20 It’s a really strange feeling wandering around Pontins pre Gathering. All that space and all that silence and knowing that in a few days time it will be full of [read more]
Ben Nevis Rocks, Scotland and Pink Pop Festival, Holland, all in one day! This year’s inaugural Ben Nevis Rocks will begin on Friday 24th August with an acoustic charity concert at the historic Inverlochy Castle (weather permitting), and indoors at the adjoining BA Club in Fort William. The Ben Nevis Rocks acoustic concert will feature unplugged sets from Mike Peters & The Alarm, Bruce & Jamie Watson of Big Country [read more]
On Saturday 26th May, Mike Peters played a festival rousing set at the Acoustic Festival of Britain. A hot sunny afternoon in Staffordshire led to large crowds at Uttoxeter racecourse and Mike was in fine voice for a selection of Mike Peters, Alarm and Big Country hits. A great day and a fantastic festival. Check out the photos here
This just in from Country Club Reporter – Scoop Edwards! As the summer sun beats down on the British Countryside, Big Country have been hard at it in their favoured rehearsal space putting the finishing touches to some brand new songs as well as contemplating set lists for their forthcoming ‘Crossing The Solent’ Tour and another summer of prestigious festival appearances. On Sunday May 20th, the band were joined by [read more]
My Alarm story began in 1983. I was 15 years of age and heard this amazing song being played on Radio 1 in the UK. A couple of weeks later I got to see my first glimpse of the passion and energy that is The Alarm. They were on national TV on BBC1’s Top of the Pops programme. They were the coolest thing I had ever seen. Using money from [read more]
The ‘In The Poppy Fields’ blog recently did an interview with our very own James Stevenson, Click here to check it out
In 1984 a friend lent me an album. On the cover were four spiky-haired, punk-looking young men. I didn’t have (nor have ever had) spiky hair. I didn’t really like (and still don’t to be honest) punk. I listened to the album. “Take this song of freedom, put it on and arm yourself for the fight. Our hearts must have the courage to keep on marching on and on.” How could a [read more]
99 New Potential Life Saving Matches for Love Hope Strength! Get on the List At Love Hope Strength, we run donor drives all over the USA (and more recently we have begun hosting donor drives in the UK). The exciting news is that we have just LOCATED 99 NEW MATCHES!!!! Most importantly, this brings us to 242 potentially life-saving matches that have now been located thanks to GET ON THE [read more]
The latest news on Vinyl features in the OC Weekly in California (which is like a West Coast version of the New York Village Voice. Read on and enjoy! Click for the article on the OC Weekly website
My name is Fabiola I live in Santiago de Chile. I met Alarm in 1988, with Rain in the Summertime, a worldwide hit, which sounded loud in Chile at these days. I was 17. I can remember when I bought the Eye of the Hurricane cd, the guy on the record store, one of the only selling cd at that time in Santiago, had only one copy, from his personal [read more]
I’d like to introduce you to a new section of www.thealarm.com ‘My Alarm Story’ As part of my MPO (The Alarm Office) duties, I deal with thousands of Alarm fans from all over the world. I remain humbled and amazed to receive incredible emails from Alarm fans and each time, I am always interested to hear how and why they remain Alarm fans to this day. You all have different stories [read more]
8th July 2012 www.themfest.com @TheMFEST M Fest takes place at Harewood House over the weekend of 7 and 8 July 2012. Line Up already confirmed include: Texas The Human League Bob Geldof Matt Cardle Beverley Knight From the Jam The Low Suns The Blockheads Cher Lloyd Clement Marfo and the Frontline Paul Heaton performing the 8th Glen Matlock Secret Affair Missing Andy Mike Peters The Levellers Inspiral Carpets Paul Heaton [read more]
HE MAY be at the helm of the nation’s most-watched TV channel, but for the controller of BBC1 it was a Welsh rock ‘n’ roll legend who set him on the road to success. Danny Cohen, 36, was last year named the youngest ever controller of the channel but he was given his first foot on the employment ladder by The Alarm’s frontman Mike Peters – forging a bond that [read more]
Mike Peters to appear at Eirias Stadium, Olympic Celebration Concert, Fri 27th July 2012 Olympic Celebration Day celebrates Parc Eirias’ designation as an official community live site for the Olympic Games, with a special concert that gives free admission, featuring the best in Welsh entertainment, including headline act Only Men Aloud, the Classical Brit Award-winning choir who triumphed in BBC’s Last Choir Standing, and who now sell out concert venues across the [read more]
Mike Peters to sing with Downton Abbey actress, Elizabeth McGovern (‘Once Upon a Time in America’) and BIg Country at this year’s Isle of Wight Festival. BIG COUNTRY TAKE TO THE MAIN STAGE WITH A SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMANCE FROM DOWNTON ABBEY STAR ELIZABETH MCGOVERN MAIN STAGE… BIG COUNTRY Featuring special guest Elizabeth McGovern Saturday 23 June www.isleofwightfestival.com Elizabeth McGovern, one of the star’s of the hit TV series Downton Abbey [read more]
If you missed the band on the Late Late Show… you can watch it again here.
Mike Peters performed at the Gary Speed Memorial Concert at Cardiff City Stadium on Weds 29th February. It was an emotional evening with performances alongside Mike from Welsh Opera Singer, Bryn Terfel and Super Furry Animals. Mike performed New South Wales, Bells of Rhymney and by special request, the Franki Valli hit song, Can’t take my eyes off you Photography by Clive Mason of Getty Images Europe.
We are pleased to announce that Mike Peters has been booked to play The Acoustic Festival of Britain on Saturday the 26th May 2012 at Uttoxeter racecourse. There is a great line-up also featuring Joan Armatrading and Glen Tilbrook. Check out the website, and it would be great to see some Alarm and Big Country fans there!! www.acousticfestival.co.uk
Steve Lamacq opened his Radio 2 show with ‘In A Big Country’ over the weekend, also giving the tour and reissue a big plug. Tracklisting and listen again link below http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01bl4fd
Tickets are now on sale for The Gathering 21. After another successful year, the buzz is already starting for next years event! Tickets can be purchased via clicking on this link to our store.
The Big Country – Crossing The Country Tour started on Friday in Manchester. Mike Peters will be keeping an ongoing tour blog, with his own view of what it’s like to be on tour as part of Big Country. The blog will be appearing on thealarm.com in its own news module. We will be posting regular updates. Keep checking back!
The brand new four disc DVD / CD set from The Gathering 2011 is out now. Exclusive to www.thealarm.com the brand new collection features the complete Alarm concert film on DVD & CD. A special features disc carries the Alarm ‘unplugged’ acoustic-in-the-round session plus never before seen footage of Mike and the band in rehearsals and an updated ‘Alarm Choir’ credit list. This unique four disc set features 2 concert [read more]
We now have the official Gathering 20 photos available to view. If you had your photo taken by the MPO photographer, it should be here somewhere. The photos cover the whole length of The Gathering, from the setup and rehearsals, to the LHS walkathon and signing session on Sunday (there are still a few to be added!). If you are on one of the photos and wish to download it, [read more]
Please click here for a behind the scenes look at how The Gathering weekend comes together, courtesy of Jules’ iPhone Photo Diary & Personal Observations (requires facebook account).
The fine people at Indie Film Guru saw Vinyl at the Santa Barbara Film Festival this weekend, and they loved it! Check out the review here. There is also a nice article about the movie from the Santa Barbara Independent here.
A huge thanks to all who came to The Gathering 20 which is already being hailed as the best ever. Two monumental nights of music capped by a near 3 hour Saturday night electric set from Mike and the boys provided a fitting way to celebrate 20 years of The Gathering from 1992 – 2012. A full photo presentation of the weekend will be posted a.s.a.p. WATCH THIS SPACE!
The full line-up and running order for the gathering is now available on the Gathering Itinerary page. With some amazing events, and one very special event not previously released, it really does promise to be an amazing Gathering.
The Gathering is once again SOLD OUT. The past few weeks has seen a surge in orders for Gathering tickets. In such hard times, the MPO are amazed at the continued support of the fans. Rehearsals are going well. The addition of Vinyl to the weekend Itinerary will really make this year something special, and the Saturday promises to something quite special.
Please come and join Mike and the LHS team for our walkathon on Prestatyn Beach. The Hymn Sheet for this years sing-a-long is can be seen below. Please come and join us… More details can be found here.
Special Guest on Sat night, Alarm fan and USA Singer Songwriter, Joe Silva from The Threats. MPO is delighted to announce the Special Guest on Sat night, Alarm fan and USA SInger Songwriter, Joe Silva from The Threats. Joe will perform a half hour acoustic set on Sat before the main headline, TMTCH and The Alarm! Make sure you get into the Red Poppy Arena on time to catch all the musical action! Joe [read more]
Craig Adams and Smiley will both be available for album signings after the Guitar show on Saturday morning, which will be in the LHS lounge this year. The albums are available at the merchandise stall in the LHS lounge. Craig and Smiley have both released albums in the last few months. Craig’s album, Demon King is the culmination of years of ideas which have been kicking around with nowhere to [read more]
The MPO are pleased to announce that the latest special guests to be added to the Gathering 20 are The Men They Couldn’t Hang. For more information about the band, please see the The Gathering / Special Guests section of thealarm.com Phil ‘Swill’ Odgers, one half of The Men They Couldn’t Hang’s twin pronged vocal attack, spills the beans on the Alarm/TMTCH connection, record eating dogs and snotty hankies! 1. [read more]
Are you the ultimate Alarm fan? Find out by joining in the ultimate Alarm Quiz. You can Email Simon to register you team name. Or catch up with Simon on Friday and register then. Numbers may be limited. Who is Mod? Richard Jones (Mod) was born in Prestatyn in 1964 and is now forty-something(!) years of age. He first met Mike Peters at the age of thirteen and within twelve months [read more]
Love Hope Strength Foundation UK are delighted to be again hosting a stall in the LHS Lounge at the annual The Alarm Gathering 20 at Prestatyn in North Wales. Please come along and visit the stall to find out about the exciting projects we have planned in 2012. ‘3’ ‘Rocks’ events in the UK in 2012 Due to popular demand, we are delighted to announce a new event for 2012 [read more]
Gathering Special – Be a Member of The Alarm for One Night Only! **** GATHERING UPDATE ***** One night only auction has raised just under a staggering £2,000 and it was decided that we would have two winners due to a strongly fought bidding battle to the end. We are delighted that an anon bidder has brought the prize for a friend who will told on the night of the [read more]
Steve Norman from Spandau Ballet to appear as Special Guest at the Gathering! We are thrilled that Steve can join us at The Gathering this year. Steve is multi-talented and has already appeared with Mike on the solo acoustic show in London late last year. Steve Norman was initially a guitarist in Spandau Ballet; he not only brought percussion to the mix, but also introduced the saxophone which has since become [read more]
The man behind the M(AskSimon) The Gathering Concierge. You can ask him anything!! So who is this mysterious AskSimon? You send him a question about The Gathering and back comes an answer. Is he real or just a very well designed App for the latest iphone? Well he is in fact very real and quite normal. Two arms, two legs, a body and a head and an Alarm fan. Very [read more]
This year the guitar masterclass will feature the song ‘One Guitar’. Although not an alarm song, the band were the first to record the song by the amazing Willie Nile, and since it’s first outing (just like Rockin in the Free World) its been a firm favourite with the fans. The masterclass will run from 11am-12midday approx. Doors at 10am. Bring your guitar and learn to play the song Mike [read more]
We are pleased to announce ‘The Absolute Worst’ as special guests at The Gathering. The band feature a certain Will Peters who could be seen as a roadie on the last Alarm tour and band member of fictional band ‘The Single Shots’ who feature in the Vinyl film. The Absolute Worst have some tunes to listen to on their facebook page
We are very pleased to announce the latest Gathering 20 support act… tour favourites from last year… The Last Republic. The Last Republic proved favourites on The Alarm tour in May and we are very pleaed to have them join us in Prestatyn. Please check out our Special Guests section for more information about this great band
Would you to like stay on Thurs night at the Gathering….? For those of you wishing to stay at the Gathering on Thursday night, please book here…. Thurs night £10 per person + £1 booking fee
In between Alarm work and other projects, Smiley has been busying himself recording his own album. He’s got quite a few musician friends involved and the result is now available in the form of … Smiley’s Friends In High Places For more information and to order online, check out Smiley’s website sunshinecornerstudios.co.uk
MPO is pleased to announce that 100 tickets have been released for ‘locals only’ (Local North Wales postcode). Fri Night Ticket (7pm Doors) £35 + £1 Ticket Link Sat Night Ticket (7pm Doors) £35 + £1 Ticket Link Fri/Sat Weekend Ticket (7pm Doors) £60 + £2 Ticket Link Lots of exciting news to be released next week re special guests at the Gathering! Gathering 20 is shaping up to be [read more]
In 2007, Love Hope Strength was born, and the first mission to improve access to cancer care around the globe was underway. Thirty-eight musicians, cancer survivors and mountaineers set off to reach Kalapathar where they would set a World Record for the highest concert ever performed. They carried with them the names of loved ones who had been touched by cancer on prayer flags which were strung high amongst the shadows [read more]
Dear Alarm Family, Wishing you all a happy and healthy rock’n roll 2012! Thanks for all your love hope and strength in 2011. Looking forward to welcoming some of you to our Gathering Family at the end of January in our hometown of Prestatyn, Love and life, Mike, Jules, Dylan and Evan xxxx (click on the image for larger image)
Happy Christmas and Season’s Greetings from all of us to all of you. Thanks for all your support throughout what has been a fantastic year and hope to see you all in 2012 at The Gathering and beyond!!!! Love, Hope and Strength xxxxx
Acoustic Tour of Norway 2011 What to do after 4 weeks of shows in the UK? Head to Norway for another 5 shows. Well it seemed like a good idea at the time. Day 1 Up at 3am for final pack and drive (type of transport = 1) to Manchester airport. There is always that feeling that you’ve forgotten something. Doubly so when you go on tour. Would be slightly [read more]
Mike Peters 30th Anniversary Handwritten Lyric & Bespoke Dedicated CD Recording Available To Order Now The Lyrics Due to public demand and to celebrate 30 years of Mike Peters’ words and music, 21st Century brings you an unprecedented opportunity to own a real and unique piece of Mike Peters / Alarm History. For a limited period only, Mike Peters will personally create for you a one off piece of A4 art [read more]
So…. where do I start? Today, December 15 2011 is my 28th year anniversary of seeing The Alarm for the first time and to mark that occasion it has come full circle as I look forward to seeing Mike play tonight in NY once again so many, many years later. If it wasn’t for my then 13 year old sister Dahlia, so passionately convincing me to see the band, this [read more]
All members of The Alarm Choir who were in attendance at last year’s Gathering and featured on the recording of The Alarm’s ‘Unbreak The Promise’ single are listed below as printed within the sleeve of ‘The Sound And The Fury’ album. However, since the album’s release, MPO has received a few messages from people who have informed us that somehow they were missed off the list. The good news is [read more]
James has recorded the famous CFC anthem Blue Is The Colour under the name Phil Daniels And The Cockney Alarm. The track features Alarm drummer Smiley and well known actor Phil Daniels on vocals. All proceeds go to Help A London Child. Download from iTunes To listen and donate to the charity Click Here
By Paul Miles Picture discs, gatefold sleeves, imports, coloured vinyl, white labels, shaped picture discs, limited editions, 12” singles, double singles, special editions, lyric sheets / sleeves, demos and the classic Flexi Disc are all rich in The Alarm’s history as various media was used to promote singles and albums, with the collector buying the same song a few times over. Now we live in the digital age and [read more]
Check out the trailer for Vinyl!! More news on Vinyl when we have it. You can view the trailer here on the H2O website
There are now photos from each of the UK tour shows. To see a slideshow from each section of the tours, click on the links below. Wrexham-Manchester-Brecon Derby-Keighley-Exeter Liverpool-Oxford-Birmingham London-Sheffield-Newcastle-Chester Worcester-Otley-Bristol-Cardiff
James and Jay Aston were very flattered to be invited on stage with The Smashing Pumpkins by Billy Corgan at their Brixton Academy gig on November 16 to perform the Gene Loves Jezebel song Stephen. James is currently on tour in Australia with The International Swingers for their first ever dates (see show dates below). The International Swingers features James, Glen Matlock on Bass, Clem Burke from Blondie on drums [read more]
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