I'm looking for any info of when/where I could see Van Morrison in concert. My husband, 16 year old daughter and I are huge Van fans and we are considering a trip to London this summer if we could coordinate with a concert date. So far all I have found is a Lonnie Donegan tribute at Royal Albert Hall on June 21st. That concert appears to have several artists and while that would also be interesting I'm not certain that's what we are looking for. Does anyone have info on other possible performances in London or Ireland for this summer? We could go as early as May 29th.

I saw him in Galway a few summers ago. great live performance!

check out www.whatsonwhen.com

and if he has an official website...

not sure where else to look right now but if I hear anything I will post back!

It might be early to get the summer dates. Check on www.wavelengthltd.co.uk

www.vanmorrison.co.uk

MaryZ and flygirl - I got the info on the Royal Albert Hall concert from the websites you mentioned. I'll keep looking for more updated info.

Just wondering if anyone knows anything about this benefit for Lonnie Donegan concert. I also wondered if Van ever does some impromtu performances in Ireland. I'm not even sure where he lives, Belfast?

Lonnie Donegan, creator of skiffle music, died November 3 at the age of 71. The son of a classical violinist, Donegan's own "mongrel music" was heavily influenced by early 20th-century American music and incorporated elements of jug band, folk, swing, and blues. The simple, accessible style caught on quickly in 1950s England and influenced the Beatles, the Who, and Van Morrison. Donegan was the first British man to have two American Top 10 hits, and he claimed 28 Top 30 songs in Britain, including "My Old Man's a Dustman," "Rock Island Line" (made famous by Leadbelly), and "I'll Never Fall in Love Again," which was later recorded by Elvis Presley.

(off the web)

sounds interesting actually.

Hi
Van has several homes and I believe one is in the west of England (Somerset area). He quite often does the odd concert in that area - Bristol, Plymouth etc and I see them advertised mainly in the Sunday papers (Express and Mail). I'll keep an eye out for you. He tends to do odd dates rather than full blown tours. I last saw him in York a few years back, and although I love him to pieces he was clearly having an 'off' night - surly, rude, on stage for just over an hour, no encore - I walked out of that concert fuming (I'd spent a lot on tickets, baby sitters, transport etc to get there that evening and felt very let down) although I do know his reputation for being 'difficult'. Wavelength is the unofficial magazine and is very good - I think you already have a link to it. It has (or used to have) a phone number you could call for concert info.

Thanks for the info. I think I'll keep checking the Van Morrison web site - that seems to have the most consise concert info. Hopefully something end of May or first of June will pop up as that would be a good time for us to travel. Rates end of June are really high - probably because of Wimbledon at the same time?

ttt for anyone out there this weekend with new info.

flygirl,
You left out the fact that Lonnie's biggest hit(unfortunately)in the US was "Does Your Chewing Gum Lose It's Flavor on the Bedpost Overnight." This is like Chuck Berry being best known for "My Ding-a-Ling."
Also, does anyone know of any old rockers or even any jazz artists that will be appearing in London on Sat. March 13th? Regretably,we will be missing Steve Winwood by a couple of days.
JoeG

Take a look at www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Unfortunately, I haven't figured out how to search the site for a specific date.

Paige --

Don't give up trying to find a concert!

In 2001, we were going to be in Chipping Campden for a few nights prior to heading to London. We found out quite serendipitously that Van Morrison was going to be in concert at Warwick Castle, only a few miles away, on one of the very nights we were there. I found this out by trying to find a Van Morrison concert in the States, not the UK! It was a MAGICAL evening with the outdoor concert at the castle. And Van was hitting on all cylinders!

Good luck!

Laura - thanks for the encouragment. I checked the Van Morrison website today and it has been updated for a few more dates in Europe in February and March. It would be ideal if a date shows up in New York or London for something around Memorial Day weekend.

Morgana - I've also heard that Van can be less than what you'd expect sometimes. That's one reason I'd really hate to plan so much around one of his concerts but I guess you just have to take your chances and hope he is having a good night!

He is playing at Royal Albert Hall in London on June 21st. I saw this on Pollstar.com

Hi
I note in the sunday papers that Van is appearing at Blenheim Palace on July 2nd (with Joan Baez). Blenheim is fabulous and it sounds quite a concert. www.blenheimpalace.com will have more details of this Music Festival.
M

The Blenheim concert is with Joan Armatrading - a very different kettle of something or other from Ms Baez.

However, do investigate this concert. You'll find on the front page of the website the remarkable claim that the battle of Blenheim was "one of the most decisive events in world history".

Is John, the whaterverth Dook of Marlborough, and owner of this spread (named after the battle) getting just a little above himself?

Thanks for keeping my posted. I'm trying to avoid coming to England between 6-20 and 7-5 due to Wimbledon the airfares and hotels are expensive in this time frame. Saw a new one today in Bonn, Germany for July 11th but I think I'm going to hold out for England or Ireland.

The best website for concert announcements is
www.pollstar.com
They will post a concert months before advertised on ticketmaster as they have the schedule of the venues which need to be booked far in advance for concerts.
Check it weekly.
cheers,
CC

Joe G, I can't tell you about any old rocker concerts, but if you're interested in live jazz then check the web sites for Ronnie Scott's ( it's on Frith Street) and for Pizza Express ( the one on Dean Street).
I go with friends to both these places each time I'm in London. Sometimes the musicians are familiar to us and other times not, sometimes American and other times an international mix.
Diana Krall has performed at both places, but I've never been lucky enough to be there then.
Ronnie's usually has two acts doing two sets each. Reservations are necessary if you don't want to stand. You can order dinner, but the food is nothing special.
Pizza Express has one act doing two sets. reservations are advised here also. And ummm..yes, they do serve pizza. ;-)
The two jazz clubs are in Soho and are an easy walk from the Morgan Hotel ( you've previously mentioned that's where you plan to stay.)

I do apologise for mixing Baez with Armatrading - two very different singers.