Paul Heaton announces headline tour dates

Currently supporting Madness on their extensive UK tour, Paul Heaton has just announced two headline shows for April 2011.

These dates follow the recent release of Paul's acclaimed solo album 'Acid Country', a sold out September tour of UK and Ireland, a headline appearance on Glastonbury's Leftfield stage and storming sets at Latitude and V Festival.

Currently celebrating 25 years since the release of his first ever single (The Housemartin's debut 'Flag Day' was released in October 1985), 2010 also saw Paul embark upon his much heralded 'Pedals and Beer Pumps' tour. These dates saw Paul travel to 16 pubs by bicycle, cycling over 1000 miles in the process and playing some of the best shows of this career. Starting off at the Rovers Return on Coronation Street and fitting in a quick date at the Woolpack in Emmerdale, the dates saw him highlighting the plight of local boozers and celebrating cycling as an environmentally friendly (and very healthy!) method of touring.

'Acid Country' is Paul's 15th studio album and sees the former Beautiful South and Housemartin's frontman continue to write classic melodies with a country edge, whilst also maintaining his sparkling pop sensibilities. As ever, his intricate and sometimes acerbic lyrics stand out with songs about old and new experiences, stories of travel and home, optimism and pessimism.

Paul's live shows in 2010 have seen Paul and his brilliant band ' Jonny Lexus (guitars), Jonny Wright (bass) and Pete Marshall (drums) - mix tunes from his solo catalogue with a few classic offerings from his Housemartin days.

See them live:

Friday 1st April London Koko
Saturday 2nd April Leeds 02 Academy

Remaining Madness dates ..

2 December SHEFFIELD 02 Academy
3 December HULL, Arena
4 December LEICESTER, DM Hall
5 December LEEDS, O2 Academy
7 December NOTTINGHAM, Rock City
8 December BOURNEMOUTH, Intl Centre
10 December READING, Rivermead
11 December BIRMINGHAM, O2 Academy
13 December CARDIFF, Arena
14 December PLYMOUTH, Pavilions
15 December BRIGHTON, Centre
17 December LONDON, Earls Court

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