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Hot off the back of a sold-out UK tour, and Number One platinum album, Will Young has announced a tour of nation’s forests in 2012.

In the ten years since winning Pop Idol, Will Young has sold over 9 million records and crafted some of the deftest British music of his era. A succession of hits including ‘Jealousy’, ‘Leave Right Now’, ‘Don’t Let Me Down / You and I’, ‘Light My Fire’, ‘All Time Love’, ‘Who Am I’ and ‘Changes’ from multi-platinum albums like ‘From Now On’, ‘Friday’s Child’ and ‘Keep On’ has ensured a chart presence across the whole decade.

This year the release of Will Young’s fifth studio album, ‘Echoes’ sees his musical career develop further. The album, produced by Richard X, entered the charts at No 1 and has sold over 300,000 copies in the UK so far. The first single from the album ‘Jealousy’ has been a top five chart and airplay smash, Will’s most successful single in recent years. Grazia called it ‘the best song of the year’. Will has also recently had his own ITV Saturday Night Special which drew over 5 million viewers, and he has delivered fantastic live performances on a wide range of TV shows from Jonathan Ross to Strictly Come Dancing.

Commenting on the tour, Will Young said, “The forest gigs have a great reputation for their atmosphere so I’m really looking forward to performing my songs in such unique settings.”

box office tel 03000 680400

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Plan B announces forest tour for 2012

Plan B has announced a series of concerts in forests next summer. The uniquely talented artist is the first act to announce multiple dates as part of Forestry Commission Live Music which will see him perform in spectacular woodland locations across the country.

Plan B (Ben Drew) singer-songwriter, rapper, actor and film director came to prominence with the 2006 release of the critically acclaimed hip hop album ‘Who Needs Actions When You Got Words’. His next project, the soul-influenced ‘The Defamation of Strickland Banks’, takes the listener on a journey of a man who finds success hard to handle and then hits rock bottom. Released in 2010, the album went on to become the fifth biggest seller of the year and continued a chart presence through 2011. Featuring crafted hit singles like ‘Stay Too Long’, ‘Prayin’’ and ‘The Recluse’, awards have abounded for artist and album alike including Brit Award for Best British Male and a trio of Ivor Novellos: Ben Drew – Songwriter of the Year; The Defamation Of Strickland Banks – Album of The Year and ‘She Said’ - Most Performed Work.

Forestry Commission Live Music is an independent programme bringing music to new audiences without commercial branding or sponsorship. Income generated from ticket sales is spent on improving the local forests for both people and wildlife.

Commenting on his forthcoming forest dates Plan B said, “It’s going to be a real adventure taking the Plan B show into the woods. I’m really up for this and hope to see you there”.

Plan B plus guests will be performing:

Saturday 23 June Westonbirt Arboretum, Nr Tetbury, Glos.

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Madness announce forest show

Madness have announced a West Country show for the summer. Their performance at Westonbirt Arboretum forms part of Forestry Commission Live Music 2012.

Recognised as one of the leading bands of the ska-rooted revival, Madness experienced a huge haul of hits in the 80’s going on to spend more weeks on the charts in that decade than any other group. They are renowned for their storming outdoor live and festival shows and year after year generation after generation have grown to love hits like ‘One Step Beyond’, ‘Our House’, ‘Baggy Trousers’, ‘Embarrassment’ , ‘Wings Of A Dove’, ’House Of Fun’, ‘My Girl’ and ‘Driving In My Car’. After 30 years Madness remain a British pop institution.

The band is currently holed up recording their tenth album, the follow up to the critically acclaimed ‘The Liberty of Norton Folgate,’ so fans can expect new material alongside legendary classics.

Forestry Commission Live Music is an independent programme bringing music to

new audiences without commercial branding or sponsorship. With everything required for a great night out including full catering and bar facilities, Westonbirt gigs are renowned for their relaxed atmosphere. There is also a bonus for concert-goers’ green credentials as income generated from ticket sales is spent on improving this internationally important tree collection.

Commenting on the show Madness front man Suggs said “"Since we played last in Westonbirt something strange has been happening down in the west country...the crowds have been going crazy, we can't wait to get back there for even more nutty times"

Madness plus guests will be performing:

Sunday 24thJune, Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury, Gloucestershire

Tickets £36.50 (subject to booking fee) go on sale at 9.00am Friday 13th January from the Forestry Commission box office tel 03000 680400 or buy online at www.forestry.gov.uk/music

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Steps into Westonbirt Arboretum

Pop phenomenon, Steps, have announced they will be bringing their reunion tour to Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire, this summer, as part of Forestry Commission Live Music.

Steps dominated the charts over a 5-year period including an impressive run of 14 consecutive top 5 singles that got the nation dancing like: ‘One For Sorrow’, ‘Heartbeat/Tragedy’, ‘Love’s Got A Hold Of My Heart’, ‘Deeper Shade Of Blue’, ‘After The Love Has Gone’, ‘When I Said Goodbye/Summer Of Love’ and ‘Stomp’. Their live shows captured the hearts of fans, selling out multiple dates at venues nationwide, making them one of the most successful acts on tour.

The Brit-award winning group comprising Lee Latchford-Evans, Claire Richards, Lisa Scott-Lee, Faye Tozer and Ian Watkins (aka H) reformed last year for a documentary series on Sky Living titled Steps: The Reunion. They also announced a UK arena tour which is proving one of the hottest tickets for 2012 and released a Greatest Hits album, ‘The Ultimate Collection’ that entered the charts at the top, becoming the band's third UK No1 album.

Forestry Commission Live Music concerts are renowned for their relaxed atmosphere, and income generated from ticket sales is spent on improving the arboretum for both people and wildlife.

Commenting on the Westonbirt show, Ian Watkins said, “We are all really up for performing our hits in such a fantastic setting and promise a Steptacular show.”

Steps plus guests will be appearing:

Sunday 22nd July, Westonbirt Arboretum, Nr Tetbury, Glos

Tickets £36 (subject to booking fee) go on sale at 9.00am Friday 27th January from the Forestry Commission box office tel 03000 680400 or buy online at www.forestry.gov.uk/music

Info: www.forestry.gov.uk/music