Bryan Ferry will headline Standon Calling festival in 2018
Iconic artist will close next year's event
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Your support makes all the difference.Standon Calling festival has announced the legendary Bryan Ferry will headline the event in 2018.
The Roxy Music icon is bound to put on an amazing show with tracks like "Let's Stick Together", "Slave To Love" and "Dance Away".
Now in its 13th year, Standon Calling will offer festival-goers a weekend of music, arts and comedy - set in the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside.
Festival founder Alex Trenchard said: "Bryan Ferry is an icon who created, defined and influenced an entire musical generation. As a solo artist and as part of Roxy Music, he has steered popular music toward the way of cool for the last 40 years.
"His lyrical brilliance and powerful performances are legendary and Standon Calling is going ot be purring in appreciation of his silky stylings as he closes the festival in 2018."
Trenchard picked some of his favourite Ferry tracks to get fans excited for next summer, have a listen below:
"Let's Stick Together"
Although many people have recorded this song (originally written by Wilbert Harrison), Ferry’s version has got to be the definitive one. I saw him perform this at Glastonbury in 2014, and I can still remember hearing the saxophone come in, and the whole crowd singing along – it was joyous!
"More Than This"
I don’t know how anyone couldn’t love this song. The sound of the synth and the overlaid vocals are so fantastically 80s, but the way the lyrics manage to be equally optimistic and pessimistic at the same time. It’s truly first-class songwriting that has stood the test of time.
"Virginia Plain"
Virginia Plain sounds pretty futuristic considering it came out in 1972 and could be argued that it marked the arrival of glam rock, which does it a disservice in many ways as it stands apart from the rest of the glam rock genre! It's something that still doesn’t sound dated today.
"Avalon"
The title track from one of my favourite Roxy Music albums, Avalon has such wonderfully simple lyrics, but the emotion in the performance still manages to tell a story. I don’t think that there were many glam rock bands doing bossa nova tracks, but it sounds kind of magical.
"In Every Home A Heartache"
Ferry somehow manages to make a love song about a blow-up doll brooding and poignant, almost cinematic. You can’t help but get drawn into it. I can’t think of many other acts who can pull off something like that.
"Slave To Love"
This song was used in the soundtrack for both Miami Vice and 9½ Weeks. It’s a shining example of the dark romanticism that is something of a hallmark for Ferry, and I think it showcases perfectly what a cultural icon he really is.
"Kiss And Tell"
I love the video for this song – I can still remember watching it on MTV and wondering if I’d ever be able to look as cool as him in a suit. The answer is no, unfortunately.
"Mother of Pearl"
A song of two parts – this is a great example of how Ferry’s lyrics are often more theatrical monologues than pop music. It starts off feeling as if you’re at a party, and then your taken into his inner psyche.
"Knockin' on Heaven’s Door"
This is from his album Dylanesque, which is an album completely of Bob Dylan covers. I love the way that he can take something from someone he admires and still makes it his own. Dylan and Ferry together is just a delightful combination, and if you haven’t heard this album it’s definitely worth a listen.
Standon Calling takes place from 26-29 July 2018, Tier 3 tickets are available now
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