Del Amitri’s show on Saturday 15th January 2022 at the Sound Archive in Kirkwall, Orkney, sold out within hours of going on sale yesterday, Friday. The show is the most northerly venue represented by Music Venue Trust.

Bass guitarist Justin Currie said

“Del Amitri are thrilled to be returning to Orkney for the first time since 1992 when we were bowled over by the scenery, hospitality and Highland Park flowing like water. It will be wonderful to play there again.”

Neil Stevenson owner of the Sound Archive is also delighted. He said:

“We are delighted to host Del Amitri as part of The National Lottery’s Revive Live Tour.

“Being a small venue on an island we have struggled to get back on our feet since restrictions were lifted.

“This gig is a welcome boost for us at a traditionally quiet time of year, it’s a great bonus for both the venue and the gig going community on the island. To be able to book Del Amitri is amazing for us as we would normally not be able to attract this level of band”

The money for this initiative comes from a National Lottery promotional fund. It is not being funded by money allocated for National Lottery Good Causes or by Camelot.

Speaking about the importance of grassroots music venues Iain Harvie, guitarist and co-founder member of Del Amitri, said

“No grassroots, no grass.

“We cut our teeth playing self-promoted shows in cafés and bars around Glasgow — places that held fifty people. It’s part of who we are. There can’t be a performer in the world who wasn’t inspired by going to see shows in a local venue. Glasgow’s Burn’s Howff, The Rock Garden, Paisley’s legendary Bungalow Bar (all only memories now) were the places I was led astray. King Tut’s, Nice N Sleazy, Stereo, The Old Hairdressers, are places you will see the city’s finest now.”

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Shows will be taking place up and down the UK.

Carl Barât, who will play an 11-date run starting at Cambridge Junction on January 6th, said

“This January I am excited to be playing grassroots venues around the UK as part of The National Lottery’s Revive Live Tour. I’ll be playing some old favourites and showcasing some songs from my upcoming solo record in an intimate setting with some very special pals. Grassroots venues have always been vital, both culturally and also for upcoming artists. They need supporting more than ever right now.”

Also added is a double-header tour by Grandmas House & Panic Shack, plus tours by The Snuts, The Howl & The Hum, Marino & Mace The Great, Minas, Noah Bouchard, Yazmean and James & The Cold Gun.

Shows will be taking place across the country, with National Lottery players having a chance to bring a ‘plus one’ for free. This extension of The National Lottery’s Revive Live Tour follows the overwhelming success of the inaugural tour during the summer which saw The National Lottery contribute £1M to directly underwrite the touring and production costs of hundreds of live performances, enabling the grassroots live music industry to start promoting shows again in the knowledge that the upfront costs associated with touring were fully covered.