6c Light Rain
Blake & Natasha Marsh, Venue Cymru, Llandudno
Classical singers who formed on Facebook are looking forward to following their hero’s footsteps at this year’s International Eisteddfod. Blake, who are set to light up Llandudno next week with the first of two North Wales concerts alongside solo star Natasha Marsh, also head for Llangollen in July. Stephen Bowman, one of the band’s four singers said: "We’re massively excited about the Eisteddfod, especially when you consider Pavarotti first performed there in 1949, went on to become a hugely successful classical artist internationally, and then came back more than 40 years later for a really memorable performance. We’re proud to follow in his footsteps. "The last time I went to Llangollen was about six or seven years ago, but it’s an incredibly beautiful part of the world that I think everybody should visit. It’s a big event and one that’s so important for Welsh culture." The band, whose debut album picked up a 2007 Classical Brit Award, also supported soprano Katherine Jenkins last year. "We’re also really excited to be working with Natasha," said Stephen. "She has an incredible voice and as a singer is very glamorous, and all of us are looking forward to doing some fantastic duets with her, and making great shows for both her fans and ours," said Stephen. "Although we’re all singers who have been trained with a classical background, something that both she and us are interested in is pop music, and we’re hoping that all our shows will reflect that. Stephen said the band’s take on classical music tries to appeal to a far younger audience with performances that are closer to pop music than traditional concerts, and last year’s second album And So It Goes covering the likes of Snow Patrol and Katie Melua in its tracklisting. "We’d love to do a Queen cover on our next album as their appeal is so timeless and far-reaching, though we’d have to be careful about which song we choose. "I’ve heard some terrible covers of Bohemian Rhapsody, but the likes of The Show Must Go On would be ideal and work really well." he added. "Classical music is enjoying a renaissance. It’s getting a lot younger in its outlook and I think groups like ours reflect that, while the likes of Katherine and Natasha add a lot of beauty and glamour. "It’s no longer about fat, old people in stuffy performances. Classical is no longer considered uncool." The band first got in touch with each other on social networking site Facebook. Days after forming they had a major label record deal, and following that they were dispatched to a top flight studio to record songs for their debut album. The band also spends time supporting two charities close to their hearts that work for Britain’s armed forces and relatives – Help For Heroes and War Widows. Last year the band sang at Australia’s Melbourne Cup, the biggest event on the social and sporting calendar. In Denmark they sang on Scandinavia’s biggest annual TV show while Japan they were sponsored by the luxury jewellers Cartier, and performed a advert soundtrack for car manufacturing giant Toyota. Blake, with Natasha Marsh, Llandudno Venue Cymru, March 26, tickets from £25. Details. venuecymru.co.uk. Llangollen International Musical, July, details 01978 862000 or eisteddfodwww.eisteddfod-ryngwladol.co.uk.
