Multi-platinum selling singer songwriter David Gray rolls into town this week, with a set of gigs only those in the know have so far been let in on. The gigs take place at the Emmanuel Centre in SW1 tonight, tomorrow and Friday (5-7 February).
David has spent the last couple of years honing a new album, to be released in the next few months. As with many artists David is constantly looking for ways to connect with the people who have loyally supported him over the years, and as a result he's gone straight to the fans with these latest gigs following the success of a similar venture in Ireland at the end of last year.
Publicised only on his website and Facebook page, David asked anyone interested in gigs to sign up for a ballot, which subsequently rewarded fans with tickets to these three London gigs at the Emmanuel Centre, an historic Grade 2 listed building on Marsham Street in the heart of Westminster. The venue has a 1,000 capacity and should provide marvellous surroundings to hear David's music, old and new, perhaps including the splendid 'Hospital Food' from 2005's 'Life In Slow Motion'.
As an anti-touting measure, the organisers refunded anyone who subsequently found they couldn't make the London gigs, and have set up a pop-up shop to clear those returned. Tickets are priced £30 and won't be there long, but if you hurry over to this dedicated site now you may still be in luck and catch David at one of the three shows. (It's linked to from David's official FB page, in case you have any qualms about its authenticity.)
The gigs were arranged with a new piece of software called Gigstarter, which allows artists to work closely with their fans to set up live events at short notice. Though not yet fully released you can sign up for information on the software at the Gigstarter website.
