Billy Mitchell & Ray Laidlaw - The Lindisfarne Story

MCD Presents
Billy Mitchell & Ray Laidlaw
The Lindisfarne Story
The Olympia Theatre
Friday 20th February 2015

The Lindisfarne Story comes to The Olympia Theatre on Friday 20th February 2015 for a fully seated show.

Tickets from €25 including booking fee on sale now via Ticketmaster.ie, usual Ticketmaster outlets including The Olympia Theatre Box Office, and by calling Ticketmaster at The Olympia Phone Bookings on 0818 719 330.

Under 14's must be accompanied by an adult, Over 18's ID required to gain access to the bars where alcohol is served.

Lindisfarne was Tyneside's best-loved band for over thirty years and The Lindisfarne Story is a celebration of the group's music and achievements. The show is devised, written and performed by drummer/founder member Ray Laidlaw, and Billy Mitchell, front man for the final eight years of the group.

Ray and Billy perform acoustic versions of Lindisfarne's classic songs and tell the inside story of the group's rise to fame, from Whitley Bay to Frisco Bay, from Rothbury to Glastonbury. They describe the group's early days on Tyneside in the 1960's hustling for gigs and their rise to fame in the early seventies. The show is illustrated with archive photographs and video and describes their worldwide tours, festival successes and TV appearances, their triumphant return home and their unique relationship with Newcastle City Hall, venue for over 140 Lindisfarne performances. Lady Eleanor, Meet Me On The Corner, Fog on the Tyne, Run for Home, all of these songs have a story behind them.

Enjoy hearing them again in an intimate venue and discover what was the inspiration behind their composition. You'll hear how the classic songs developed and how Bob Dylan's producer helped Lindisfarne to focus their musical ideas and burst through the glam and manufactured sounds around them to become one of the major British groups of the seventies.

In 2014 the appeal of Lindisfarne is as strong as ever, EMI recently released a 40th anniversary vinyl version of the 'Fog On The Tyne' album and the in 2014 the band will be honoured on Tynesides's 'Local Heroes Walk of Fame' along with Alan Shearer, Sting, Clement and La Frenais and others who have raised the profile of the North East of England all around the world.

The Lindisfarne Story has captured the imagination of the fans and media.

'Just a line to thank you all for a fantastic night’s entertainment in Whitley Bay Saturday past. We were a group of 8 and each and every one of us had a fabulous night. After many years front of house in large venues worldwide I doubt I have enjoyed myself more.' - John Tweddle

'The Lindisfarne Story at the Gala Theatre in Durham last night was fantastic...thank you!' - Mary Douglas

'Don't miss it!' - Sam Wonfor, Newcastle Journal.