The Mission are heading back on the road in 2020, crossing the continent on their United European Party tour.
Apart from taking in countries from Germany, France, and Belgium to Slovenia, Croatia, and Hungary, the band are playing an extensive number of UK dates.
“We, The Mission, are heading out to tour Europe & Brexit’ed UK in early spring next year. Why? Don’t need a reason, we just fancy it,” explains frontman Wayne Hussey, who spent most of the last three months on a European solo tour.
“Having just toured Europe it strikes me that one thing that unifies people of any and every culture and race is music. It brings people together to celebrate, to commune, to share the experience. This is why I’ve named the tour ‘The United European Party Tour’. Less a political statement (although my personal leaning – and I don’t speak for the rest of the band – veers toward Brexit being a huge backward step) but more a statement about how people can be united regardless of where they are born or where they live or their politics,” reveals Hussey.
“Music is about people, emotions, feelings, togetherness; not division, borders, extreme right or left or wanker politicians. So let’s get together, have a sing-song, some fun, and let’s celebrate life and being part of the human family. One thing I wanted to do on this tour to ease the rigours of spending another solid 10-12 weeks on a tour bus is to play two nights everywhere we can. That affords us at least one night in two sleeping in a hotel bed. It also enables us to play completely different sets on each of the 2 nights.
“Our plan is to play songs one night exclusively from our 1st, 3rd, 5th and so on albums – First Chapter, Children, Grains Of Sand, Neverland, Aura, & The Brightest Light – whilst the other night will be songs exclusively from albums, 2, 4, 6 etc. – God’s Own Medicine, Carved In Sand, Masque, Blue, God Is A Bullet, & Another Fall From Grace. Which set comes on the first night will be decided on the day, so you’ll never know which you’re gonna get first. A little devious maybe but to ensure you don’t miss a beat you’ll need to attend both nights… Ah, come on, it’ll be fun…”
Hussey is joined in The Mission by fellow original members Craig Adams (bass) and Simon Hinkler (guitar), as well as long-time drummer Mike Kelly.
The Mission 2020 UK dates:
29th February: O2 Institute, Birmingham
1st March: Cheese and Grain, Frome
2nd May: O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London
3rd May: O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London
5th May: O2 Academy, Bristol
6th May: Rock City, Nottingham
7th May: O2 Ritz, Manchester
8th May: Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow
9th May: O2 Academy, Leeds
