Martin McAloon, formerly bass player of Witton Gilbert’s megastar band the Prefab Sprout, is touring again in 2024. This follows his very successful 2023 tour.

I saw Martin at The Cluny in Newcastle last year and the gig features lots of the Prefab Sprout favourites. His excellent arrangements for guitar amazingly bring the big Sprout sound into just him and his guitar. It was great! It was also fantastic to catch up with him after the show, and get the t-shirt.

According to the tour press release: “Although born with the open road in his blood, Prefab Sprout appear to have had a 40-year aversion to playing live and he hope these new shows “40 YEARS: A VERSION” will address his gigging addiction.

“He’ll be revisiting the repertoire written by his brother Paddy, that stretches back through the classic Prefab Sprout albums: Swoon, Steve McQueen, Protest Songs, Langley Park to Memphis, Jordan: The Comeback, Let’s Change the World With Music, Andromeda Heights, The Gunman and Other Stories, I Trawl The Megahertz, and Crimson / Red.

“Expect all the hits and pared-back acoustic versions of Prefab Sprout’s most beloved songs, along with some storytelling and the opportunity to meet Martin after the show.”

Live shows in the North East include:

• 16 August – O2 City Hall in Newcastle, where he is opening act for top electronic producer Thomas Dolby. Get your ticket here. (Martin is opening for all the tour)
• 15 December – The Cluny Newcastle, a friendly venue where you get to see Martin up close. This one sold out last year – get your ticket here.
• See all the tour gigs below, including the Irish concerts in October.

Here is Martin McAloon’s website with all his tour dates, including the first tour to Ireland after 25 years.

Here is our #PrefabSprout page, linking back to an excellent 2017 post on the wonderful Sproutology website. It gives detailed description of the layout, activities and local memories of the McAloon garage on both sides of Front Street, when it was run by Tommy McAloon,. No doubt many in Witton Gilbert village remember it.

Here is an old Guardian article where Paddy McAloon and Thomas Dolby remember working together on the album Steve McQueen and playing and composing music in Witton Gilbert village and in Consett and London.