The Average White Band, one of the best soul and funk bands of all-time, have announced their farewell tour for April and May 2024.
The group will perform their biggest hits and fan favourites, such as Let’s Go Round Again, Cut The Cake, Queen of My Soul and US Number 1 Pick Up The Pieces.
Timings:
5.30pm Building Open
7.30pm Set 1
8.30pm Interval
9pm Set 2
10.15pm Show End
All timings approximate and subject to change
This event is suitable for all ages. U14s should be accompanied by an adult (18+)
Formed in London in 1972, the six-piece band somewhat incongruously, given their Scottish roots, took the influences of their R&B heroes such as Marvin Gaye, James Brown and Stevie Wonder, and developed their own authentic sound which was eagerly adopted by black audiences in the US and elsewhere. The group’s consistently accomplished song-writing helped them to achieve several gold & platinum-selling albums and multiple Grammy nominations with the legendary Atlantic Records.
In addition to the band’s hit singles, many of their album tracks such as ‘Schoolboy Crush’ and ‘Person to Person’, amongst others, have been heavily sampled by the likes of the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Ice Cube, A Tribe Called Quest and Arrested Development – so much so that the AWB are one of the top 15 sampled acts of all all-time.
Having remained a perennial fixture at top music venues across the world for over 50 years, the Average White Band’s farewell tour is the not-to-be-missed last chance for multiple generations of fans to experience the musical energy and trademark sound of one of the truly great soul bands.
Speaking about the farewell tour, founding member Alan Gorrie said, “AWB has been our life for the last 50-plus years and has brought unbelievable highs – and some lows – to us throughout that tumultuous half-century, touring the globe and seeing the millions of happy and friendly faces that have greeted us wherever we have performed.
“That it’s finally coming to an end is going to mean a highly emotional tour next year, but one which will mean we bow out at the top level, thanks in great part to the wonderful five American ‘soul brothers’ who have been our band members for the last many years, and who are some of the best soloists and singers you could find on the planet”. Onnie McIntyre says “Our guys never phone it in, they bring it all every night. The tour will be our way of saying goodbye and thank you to all the people who have supported us over the years. It’ll be wild – bring your dancing shoes”.
“No doubt the unbelievable success of Pick Up The Pieces and other Grammy-nominated classics helped get us there. We bucked our Scottish roots, took our cues from Marvin Gaye, Al Green and James Brown, and took ‘coals to Newcastle’ when we broke into the US and a huge multi-racial following there, to add to our loyal UK fans.
“We hope to see you all at next Spring’s concerts, and to help us see out our final fling on the British Highway, including Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall, London’s Royal Albert Hall, and any other ‘Royals’ you can think of. Please don’t miss it!!
“As a final tour of the United Kingdom, this will be a joyous (but bittersweet) trip through our roots, our history and our love affair with all of the UK since 1972, when we first stuck our toes in the waters of home-spun Soul and R&B, taking it to the rest of the world and to success we could hardly have imagined back then. Please join us in a final celebration of that journey, and to a last hurrah of epic proportions with your presence and your ever-ready appreciation!”
Please note that Booking Fees apply on the following transactions:
Online: Tickets booked online are subject to booking fees when purchased through our website. E-tickets are emailed instantly on the account you have registered with DLWP, please check your Junk folder if they don’t arrive within 30 minutes. Customers can also download their tickets through our website within ‘My Account’.
Telephone: £3.50 per transaction + £2 postage or free collection at the Box Office.
In Person: There are currently no charges for booking tickets in person.
There is a £2 charge to post tickets.
We strongly recommend ticket buyers to take out Ticket Protection insurance with Secure My Booking available when you book your tickets at check out.
Please note that we are only able to post tickets within the UK. If you live overseas please select box office collection or print at home tickets. Tickets purchased for post will be sent 10 – 14 days before the show date.
Full terms and conditions can be found here.
Book online: Pre-show dining can be booked online as an add-on when purchasing tickets for selected events. You will be purchasing a ticket to guarantee your meal before the show.
Please note you must be a ticket holder to the show to book pre-show dining.
Already booked your tickets? If you’ve already booked tickets for a show and would like to add dining, please contact Box Office: boxoffice@dlwp.com
On the night: If you have pre-booked please come to the bar to order from the gig menu and sit at one of the reserved tables.
Please be aware that we operate no re-entry for gigs. This means that once you have entered the building, you cannot go out and re-enter. This policy is in line with other major music venues across the UK and put in place on police advice. No re-entry is clearly signposted as you come through security on the front door.
There is a fenced-off area on the terrace for people who go out to smoke or vape.
There are plenty of welcoming and good value B&Bs & boutique hotels in Bexhill. The De La Warr Pavilion regularly uses the following:
- By Rail
Direct trains go from London Victoria, Brighton and Ashford to Bexhill.
There are also trains from London Charing Cross, changing at St. Leonards Warrior Square and from London Bridge or Charing Cross going to Battle. Battle is only a short taxi journey away (15 mins approx).
Visit www.nationalrail.co.uk for up-to-date train travel information. - Taxis
Town Taxis: 01424 211 511
Parkhurst Taxis: 01424 733 456 - By Car
If driving from the London area:
Take the M25, then A21 to Hastings. Turn off at John‘s Cross and follow the signs to Bexhill.
OR
Take the A22 to Eastbourne, go across the Bishop roundabout to the A271 and follow the signs to Bexhill and the seafront. The De La Warr Pavilion is on the Marina.
From the Brighton area:
Follow the A27 out of Brighton until you arrive in Bexhill On Sea. - Parking
Please be aware the Rother District car park outside the De La Warr Pavilion operates paid parking until 7pm. After this time parking is free.
Within the limits of this Grade One listed building, the De La Warr Pavilion strives to be fully accessible with a range of facilities to support your visit.
Assistance Dogs are permitted into the building.
Please contact the Box Office on boxoffice@dlwp.com to arrange a visit.
Facilities for disabled visitors
- Ramped access at the front of the building
- A low counter at the Box Office and Information Desk
- Disabled toilets on two floors
- A lift to all floors
- Accessible galleries on both floors
- An accessible Café
- Spaces for wheelchairs in the auditorium for seated events
- Ramped access in the auditorium for events during the day
- Ramped access into the Studio
- Two travel wheelchairs are available for use at the De La Warr Pavilion. To reserve, please call our box office and information desk on (01424) 229111 or ask a member of staff on arrival. The chairs are provided on a first come, first served basis and are intended for use inside the Pavilion. Please contact us for more information.
Facilities for blind or visually-impaired
- Large print season brochures
Facilities for the hard-of-hearing
- An T-Switch induction loop in some areas of the auditorium (please indicate when booking as this facility is not available on the balcony)
- British Sign Language interpretation tours of the building and exhibitions are available on request.