Its the beginning of another new year and there are shows on the horizon to look forward to. Here are my thoughts and feelings about being on tour without the safety net of a band in nice suits.

Irish Tour

The Irish tour takes me around in a massive circle, i have not been on tour in Ireland for some years, last time it was with Melvin Duffy, Andy Caine and Dorie Jackson. We had some laughs and some long nights on the tiles. On this tour I will mostly be just turning up and seeing what happens. The risk is often worth the journey. There will be songs and reads, and all things, and i can’t wait. I even have a Captains cabin on the ferry!

02-Mar-18 Fri CHRISTCHURCH CASTLE BAR

I have no idea about this one, but im ready. I hear its small and a place where you can see the whites of their eyes, which is how i like them.

03-Mar-18 Sat DOCK ARTS CENTRE CARRICK

I have heard good things about this show. I hope still to be ready. On the map it looks like a beautiful place to be, but then most of Ireland is like that, i know that from my childhood, which you can read in my book.

04-Mar-18 Sun CAVAN TOWN HALL

Home of The Strypes and it wouldn’t be right if i didn’t play a few songs with them, i have been mulling a set list with their fold down band The Outer limits, and i cant wait to turn it up and be on stage with such very special people. It feels like home from home. Cavan is a small town full of lovely folk who love music, i think i know them all.

06-Mar-18 Tue WHELANS DUBLIN

Boo Hewerdine joins me for a few nights, and thankfully he will know the markings of the room as he has played here so many times before. We will sing and play. To be in Dublin will be something special. Last time i was here it was with Squeeze, i had a terrible haircut and you can read all about it here on another page.

07-Mar-18 Wed BELFAST THE EMPIRE

Will it strike back, we shall see. Boo again joins me for another night of rib tickling laughter and banter from the stage of delights. I can’t wait to be back in Belfast. Sushi awaits.

08-Mar-18 Thu BIRD HILL

I hear its a very long drive to Bird Hill but i have a nice car so it should be ok and lets face it the countryside will spectacular along the way. I will be mostly in the car on this day. Come and marvel at my giddiness.

09-Mar 18 Fri GALWAY MONROES

Seems like miles away too, but im sure it will be worth it. Galway is home to such great music, none of which i can play but i can admire from afar. I might even test the waters.

10-Mar 18 Sat CORK THE GRAIN STORE

How far can one man travel, we shall see, im really looking forward to this show, i hear its a wonderful room. Boo loves it, sadly he wont be there he will be back home counting his lucky stars he’s not trapped in the car with me.

And then the ferry and some rehearsals with Boo back at mine.

UK Tour

15-Mar-18 Thu DERBY THE FLOWER POT

Derby is where i once stopped to have my laptop fixed while on tour with Squeeze, this was years ago. Im sure its changed since then. I like playing in flower pots so this should be a good one. I think its up the M1.

17-Mar-18 Sat WINCHESTER THE RAILWAY INN

I remember playing here before, on that night there was a convention of computer wizards in another room, they were transfixed by the late technology that had become fashionable again. It was weird, but it wont be like that again im sure. I like this town, there is a song about it.

18-Mar-18 Sun HAILSHAM THE PAVILION

I love this venue, its run very nicely and its down the road from a nice curry house. Its not too far from my home. I like the red seats and the old fashion stage. Come on down.

21-Mar-18 Wed OXFORD ST JOHNS

Oxford is a good place to play, its been a very long time and the last time i was in this town it was with The Strypes, no stage diving tonight though.

22-Mar-18 Thu CAMBRIDGE JUNCTION 2

Home ground for Boo, a night of song and dance in this wonderful tidy venue with a car park. I love Cambridge and i will ramble. The town is full of brains, and i like nothing more than to swan around hoping they rub off on me, but i doubt it.

23-Mar-18 Fri BRISTOL FOLK HOUSE

This one sounds good, i will grow a beard on route.

24-Mar-18 Sat SOUTHPORT THE ATKINSON

Southport, its up the country and im eager to see how it goes, tickets are still on sale for this one. Its a mouthful but it looks clean and tidy, just how i like them.

25-Mar-18 Sun CHELTENHAM CLEEVE CONCERTS

Last time i was here i had a nice Thai in the dressing room, and after that the audience lapped up the remains of the day in my set. I have high hopes. Lovely people in this town and a nice book shop that always seems to be shut.

27-Mar-18 Tue PERTH SCOTLAND

Yikes this is so far away, last time i drove this far i went boss eyed, but i was with Jools and it was worth the loss of vision. I shared the drive with my then driver, we enjoyed the food and warmth of the good people, played five songs and drove back. On route i stay at Warwick on Eden, it breaks the trip and the breakfast is hearty. Like me.

28-Mar-18 Wed THORNER VICTORY HALL

Sounds fabulous, i cant wait. Tickets are not flying out of the door so please help! By the way its up near Leeds, West Yorkshire.

29-Mar-18 Thu BURY THE MET

I think i have played here before, but im not sure, i will know by the dressing room. Dressing rooms are seldom nice places to sleep, but needs must sometimes, and i have leant the art of sleeping sitting upright. I have a book of dressing rooms you can see, its coming out soon. A thrilling read.

31-Mar-18 Sat MORECOMBE THE PLATFORM

I love this gig, its windy outside but warm and loving inside. Its near to Heysham where i as a boy would take the ferry with my parents to Belfast, its all in the book, which is what this tour is all about.

03-Apr-18 Tue HALIFAX THE LANTERN

Yes i know where it is, but not the venue. Heavens above i can’t be expected to know everything about this tour! I was asked to play here and i took the boy out of Deptford in my head.

04-Apr-18 Wed GATESHEAD SAGE 2

Ah, i love this one, it will be great to be back in this part of the UK it has so many memories for me with all sorts of bands and people along the way. I once crashed my Audi here, i ran it into a skip trying to rush away from a gig one night. Silly billy.

06-Apr-18 Fri BASINGSTOKE THE FORGE

A town i once visited as a 10 year old boy on a green line bus, its now a sprawling place full of the usual haunts. I cant wait to see my brother at this one as he lives close by. A tiny show, and its sold out, so there.

07-Apr-18 Sat LAUGHARNE BOOK FESTIVAL

Book, reading, possible awards and the M4.

08-Apr-18 Sun SEVENOAKS THE STAG

Nice venue with nice people, there was once a nice record shop just up from this venue, nice. Its just off the A21 a very familiar road for me as it was my route home each night from making ‘Some Fantastic Place’ the album, which was recorded up in South East London. At that time i lived in Rye.

11-Apr-18 Wed LEICESTER THE MUSICIAN

A dressing room, or a cupboard, im not sure. Easy parking and a small but tender crowd, i hope. I have memories of this venue. I hope to have more. On the Domino tour Squeeze played around the corner one night, it was sad to see nobody at the show. It was time, and life goes in circles.

13-Apr-18 Fri STOCKTON THE ARC

I have no idea about this one, so lets just see. I’m hopeful.

15-Apr-18 Sun CARDIFF ACAPELA STUDIO

No guitar needed on this one just my voice, and with some local fish and chips it should be a fun night. Cardiff, its both things. Happy days.

18-Apr-18 Wed LONDON BUSH HALL

London, who knows as you never can tell. I big stage for two little people. I think the chaps who run this venue should get a meddle for keeping it open. Well done. Another night of song and a guest list of local mates. I may even smile.

20-Apr-18 Fri SHOREHAM ROPE-TACKLE CENTRE

Lovely people run this venue, once they got me a take away curry just before the show, i was up to my jowls with nan bread when i went on stage but it was a great night. Come on, join the queue.

21-Apr-18 Sat EMSWORTH BAPTIST CHURCH

I really enjoy playing in churches, come and see why. I feel closer to the ground and closer to God, two good places to be.

8-May-18 Tue THORNTON HOUGH THE WIRRAL

Its sold out so shut up.

10-May-18 Thu ST MARY MAGDALENE COBHAM CHURCH

Yep another church, tonight there will be a big announcement and in the dressing room more curry. I love it here and im joined, by the wonderful Arcelia. Look them up and charm your pants. They will be at other shows too, keep looking.

11-May-18 Fri FARNCOMBE CHURCH

Another one, christ!

12-May-18 Sat HARROGATE WAREHOUSE

A delightful venue on the curb of the town, seated and run by generous people. I love Harrogate and have great mates there these days. Whats not to like about this one.

23-Jun-18 Sat OVERTON VILLAGE HALL

This show is for my brother Lew, he lives in the village of Overton and i first wrote poems in this place, by the river like some bard but in sheeps clothing. I was young, i was ambitious and i feel i still am. I have high hopes i will write more poems by the river one day. Its all in the book.

Please go to http://chrisdifford.com/tour/

Here you will find links to tickets. At the show you can expect me, and sometimes Arcelia, but mostly Boo Hewerdine. We will be playing some songs, having a sing and i will dip in and out of my book, which im very proud of. There will be a Q&A so feel free to join in, be part of the night and hopefully take away a piece of cake when you leave. I hope there will be cake. I will sign books, we will sign ‘Pants’ a collection of songs on a CD, and we will be nice to you if you turn up.

Live music is so important, the people who run these venues work so hard to bring great things to your ears, i hope you will agree. Support local live venues and keep in touch. I feel completely blessed to have been in a biggish band, and the shadow of that collected talent allows me to come up and down the country to tell my story and share the songs what i wrote.
I want to thank my Agent Nigel for boldly going where no-one else would, and i would like to thank Boo for his long arm of friendship. See you down the shops or in the foyer.