Two of the most iconic bands of their era, WET WET WET and GO WEST, have announced they will unite for the first time ever for a co-headline UK tour.
The BEST OF BOTH WORLDS tour will see the legendary bands play shows, performing their seminal songs from a combined treasure-trove of hits; with 36 Top 40 UK Singles between them!
Both Wet Wet Wet and Go West have carried on captivating fans all over the world for the past four decades and show no signs of slowing down. The 12-date tour kicks off right here, at the Utilita Arena tomorrow(21st January), rescheduled from St David’s Hall, concluding in Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on 7th February.
With an incredible catalogue of songs, Wet Wet Wet are undoubtedly a musical phenomenon who have made a massive impact with their music over the years, making them one of the most successful bands in British pop history.
The band have sold more than 15 million singles and albums to date and have featured in the UK official singles and album charts for over a colossal 500 weeks. Their albums have been certified 20 x platinum in the UK alone whilst the band appeared on the renowned BBC TV show Top Of The Pops an amazing 56 times, a record for a Scottish artist.
Having formed in 1982 after taking their name from a line in a Scritti Politti song, the band’s first single ‘Wishing I Was Lucky’ was released in 1987. It quickly entered the charts, starting a phenomenal run of 27 Top 40 hits including three UK No.1’s – ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’ (1988); ‘Goodnight Girl’ (1991); and ‘Love Is All Around’ (1994) – which spent 15 weeks at the top, a record for any UK artist that still stands. The band’s debut album ‘Popped in Souled Out’ (1987) also burst into the charts hitting No.1.
Since 2018, Wet Wet Wet have been fronted by Kevin Simm (winner of ‘The Voice UK’ and former member of Liberty X) and they released their first album with Kevin, ‘The Journey’, in 2021 to massive critical acclaim. Alongside Kevin, the ever-present Graeme Clark (bass) and Graeme Duffin (guitar) front the full seven-piece band that have been headlining several huge festivals, including LET’S ROCK WALES earlier this year.
So, with so many songs and an incredible touring career to talk about, we put a call in to founder member GRAEME CLARK to see what the band are up to and what we can expect on this new tour…..
Of course, there is a bit of a link between the two bands – apart from the 80s thing and both scoring massive hits over the years. Both groups have scored success through iconic movies. Wet Wet Wet with Four Weddings and a Funeral (Love is All Around) and Pretty Woman for Go West (King of Wishful Thinking).
Richard Drummie from Go West told us…..
“Peter and I are really looking forward to getting out on the road with the Wet Wet Wet boys. It’s going to be a lot of fun for us and of course, the audience! The shows will be like a jukebox of each bands’ hits. That’s why we’ve called it ‘The Best of Both Worlds Tour’. Prestigious venues, great songs, two fabulous bands .. one great night out! See you all there.”
Go West’s Peter Cox and Richard Drummie first met in 1974. Their debut single ‘We Close Our Eyes’ was released in the spring of 1985. It reached number 5 in the UK charts and became a top 10 hit in the USA. This ‘overnight’ success was followed by three further UK top 10 hits – ‘Call Me’, ‘Goodbye Girl’ and ‘Don’t Look Down’.
The album ‘Go West’ sold 2 million copies worldwide and remained on the UK chart for 83 weeks, establishing them as one of the finest song-writing partnerships to emerge in the 80’s. In 1986 they won the BRIT Award for ‘Best British Newcomer’ – the one BRIT which was decided by the listening public.
They have enjoyed numerous chart singles worldwide, notably ‘King Of Wishful Thinking’, as we said earlier, the opening song in the extremely successful film ‘Pretty Woman’. The film’s soundtrack has sold over 10 million copies. ‘King Of Wishful Thinking’ received ASCAP Awards in 1991 and 1992 as one of the most played songs on American radio. ‘Faithful’, the second single from their ‘Indian Summer’ album received similar BMI Awards in 1992 and 1993.
Six albums and 20 million sales later, Go West are stronger than ever, entertaining audiences at huge festivals worldwide.
Wet Wet Wet lead singer Kevin Simm told us…..
“We’re really excited to be co touring with Go West, they are great guys and their hits speak for themselves. Being a vocalist I have always greatly admired Peter Cox’s unique tone and soul so I’m looking forward to hearing it every night on the tour!”
WET WET WET and GO WEST – BEST OF BOTH WORLDS tour, kicks off at the Utilita Arena in Cardiff tomorrow, Sunday 21st January. For more details, and to get tickets, go HERE.
