Back in the day, there was barely a coffee table around the UK which didn’t have the classic album Ocean Drive by the Lighthouse Family proudly sitting on it.

As debut albums go, Ocean Drive was right up there with the best. Lead singer TUNDE became one of the most recognised voices around with the lead single Lifted reaching the top five on the UK Singles Chart. The album was certified six-times platinum by the end of 1997, selling more than 1.8 million copies in the UK alone and spending 154 weeks on the UK Album Chart.

Ocean Drive itself actually featured in the Richard E Grant movie Jack and Sarah, which was one of the most successful movies of the mid 90s.

Now, Singer-Songwriter Tunde Baiyewu, has announced a UK tour and we get to see him at Theatrau Sir Gâr: Ffwrnes tonight.

We caught up with Tunde at home in London to talk about the show, the Lighthouse Family days and even a little about the singer SEAL. But first, noticing he was sporting hair and a beard, we wondered if this was a new look for him?

TUNDE

Lighthouse Family’s follow-up albums, ‘Postcards from Heaven’ achieved similar status in 1997, reaching 6 times Platinum status, and ‘Whatever Gets You Through the Day’ also receiving Platinum status.

They subsequently sold over 15 million albums throughout their career. Tunde’s first self-titled solo album was released in 2004, with his second solo album, ‘Diamond In A Rock’, released in 2013. In 2019, Lighthouse Family released a new album ‘Blue Sky in Your Head’. It was the group’s first album in 18 years and was supported with two sell-out UK tours.

He’ll be performing those Lighthouse Family favourites such as Lifted, High and Ocean Drive, as well as previewing Tunde’s new collection of 1970’s songwriter era inspired recordings. Expect to hear songs from singer-songwriters such as Bill Withers, Elton John, Van Morrison and others.

Tunde – The Gate in Cardiff Friday 26th May

Even now, there’s something really magical about Lifted, just watch the video and you’ll see what we mean. We came across a few people who’d discovered real meaning in the song…..

‘I came to this song to make me feel better. To give me some strength and courage to resume to my daily activities. This song and the beautiful tones of Tunde are helping me. To anyone out there that’s suffering; keep going. Tomorrow will be better.’

‘I played this in my car stuck in a traffic jam. The bloke at my side in the next lane asked me to turn up the volume. His female companion asked me to play it again when it ended. Wow, what a response to such an amazing track of a truly magnificent musician.’

Over the past few years, Tunde has been working on a new collection of recordings, inspired by the artists and the singer-songwriter era of the 1970’s. Reunited with Lighthouse Family producer Mike Peden, they have recorded a selection of troubadour influenced songs.

Tickets for the tour, including the date at Theatrau Sir Gâr: Ffwrnes tonight (20th October) are available HERE.