Swans

Announce UK/US tour in May/June & New Album ‘To Be Kind’ – out on 12 May.

Swans announce details of a UK and US tour in May and June 2014, following the release of the new album ‘To Be Kind‘ on Mute on 12 May / 13 May on Young God Records (North America).

The UK dates begin in Manchester on 22 May and include London’s Brixton Electric on 27 May plus a return to Birmingham’s Supersonic festival. Full details below.

Swans are Michael Gira, Norman Westberg, Christoph Hahn, Phil Puleo, Thor Harris and Christopher Pravdica and these are the first UK dates since last year’s Mouth to Mouth festival, curated by Gira and the Green Man festival.

Swans infamous and powerful live show was described by Guardian as “a magnificent achievement”, by Clash as “perfectly orchestrated carnage” and by The Quietus as “a revelation” and it was on this recent 2012/2013 tour, Gira explains, that “a good portion of the material for this album was developed live”.

The dates go on sale at 9am on Friday 14 February from http://www.seetickets.com/go/swans.

‘To Be Kind’ will feature several special guests: Little Annie, St. Vincent, labelmate Cold Specks and Bill Rieflin. The album was produced by Michael Gira, and recorded by John Congleton at Sonic Ranch, Texas. Further recordings and mixing were accomplished in Dallas, Texas.

Explaining the proposed formats, Gira has said, “It will be available as a triple vinyl album, a double CD, and a 2XCD Deluxe Edition that will include a live DVD. It will also be available digitally. In addition, I am thinking of releasing it as a USB “stick” / flashdrive (with special packaging), so that this ultimate, high quality version can be listened to from beginning to end, without interruption (the album is a little over 2 hours long).”

Swans, led by Michael Gira, formed in 1982 and, after disbanding in 1997, returned with the critically acclaimed albums ‘My Father Will Guide Me Up A Rope To The Sky’ (2010) and 2012’s ‘The Seer’. 2014’s new album ‘To Be Kind’ was part funded through sales of the double live CD ‘Not Here/Not Now’ via the band’s own site, here.  

SWANS US / UK TOUR

14 May – Washington DC, Black Cat Mainstage

15 May – Philadelphia PA, Union Transfer

17 May – Boston MA, Royale Nightclub

18 May – New York NY, Bowery Ballroom

19 May – Brooklyn NY, Music Hall of Williamsburg

22 May – Manchester UK, Academy 2

23 May – Newcastle UK, Hoults Yard

24 May – Glasgow UK, The Arches

25 May – Aberdeen UK, The Lemon Tree

27 May – London UK, Brixton Electric

28 May – Bristol UK, Trinity Community Arts

29 May – Reading UK, Sub89

31 May – Birmingham UK, Supersonic Festival – Custard Factory

1 June – Leeds UK, Cockpit

2 June – Brighton UK, Concorde 2

Support comes from Jenny Hval on all the May dates.

In March 2014 Michael Gira will embark on a solo acoustic tour through Europe (http://younggodrecords.com/live-shows)

MICHAEL GIRA SOLO EUROPEAN TOUR

1 March – Lyon, FR – Les Abattoirs

4 March – Porto, PT – Passos Manuel

6 March – Madrid, ES – El Sol

7 March – San Sebastian, ES – Andia Kuxta

8 March – Barcelona, ES – Sala Apolo

10 March – Paris, FR – Église Saint-Merri Church

11 March – Amsterdam, NL – MC Theater

12 March – London, UK – Church of St John-at-Hackney

14 March – Copenhagen, DK – Hofteatret

15 March – Oslo, NO – Blå

16 March – Oslo, NO – Emanuel Vigeland Mausoleum Museum

18 March – Warsaw, PL – Pardon, To Tu

19 March – Warsaw, PL – Pardon, To Tu

21 March – St. Petersburg, RU – Dada

22 March – Moscow, RU – Teatr Club

24 March – Odessa, UA – Bernardazzi Wine Club

26 March – Bucharest, RO – Control Club

27 March – Bologna, IT – Locomotiv

28 March – Milan, IT – Bloom

29 March – Berlin, DE – Kantine, Berghain

Website: http://younggodrecords.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SwansOfficial