Singer- songwriter Tom Bright to perform at The Albion Rooms in Cliftonville

October 3, 2023 Kathy Bailes Events 0

230111_TOMBRIGHT_EMPIRE_652 — Tom Bright will perform in Cliftonville

A singer who spent the first six months of his life on a life support machine at the British Military Hospital in Berlin and, at 18, became the UK’s youngest landlord, is heading to Margate with the launch of his third album.

Tom Bright releases Somewhere Anywhere on October 20 and will be performing at The Libertines’ Albion Rooms in Cliftonville as part of his UK tour.

The album is, in part, a reflection on his life.

He said: “I’ve had quite the unique journey getting to this point. When I was born, my oesophagus wasn’t attached to anything and I spent 6 months on a life support machine at the British Military Hospital in Berlin – where my army parents were stationed.

“The RAF flew me in a private jet below the clouds to Great Ormond Street, where I underwent a multitude of life saving operations, conducted by the amazing Professor Lewis Spitz, who has just separated the Siamese twins.

“At the age of 18 I was the UK’s youngest pub landlord and had a pub in my home county of Derbyshire for five years.”

When Tom gave up the pub trade, aged 23, he then went to Australia, which is where he wrote his first song, formed a band and played his first gig.

He returned to the UK a year later and since that time has recorded albums and been on the road supporting the likes of Mystery Jets, Tom Grennan, Ligabue, Reverend & The Makers, Declan O’Rourke, William Prince, Richard Walters, The Bluetones and Callaghan just to name a few.

In a career that’s seen him work with Mick Jones (The Clash) and Matt Johnson (The The), share a stage with Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols) and have his guitar signed by Johnny Marr (The Smiths), he can be found in Spotify’s Most Beautiful Songs in the World playlist and has turned the heads of many a radio champion, from Guy Garvey to John Kennedy.

He said: “Now life is very different. I’m a touring musician with this third album, produced by Ed Harcourt and mastered at Abbey Road Studios, coming out soon. “This year alone I’ve performed at Shepherd’s Bush Empire, the London Palladium, Glastonbury, Celtic Connections, been live on BBC Radio 2, Radio X and much more.

“I count the likes of Guy Garvey at BBC 6 Music as supporters, appear in Spotify’s The Most Beautiful Songs in the World playlist, and couldn’t be happier.”

Tom’s gig at The Albion Rooms takes place on Saturday 18 November. Entry is free.