Toyah Live: Thunder in Worthing!

Toyah – LIVE! photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Toyah live 29 July 2021 – The Factory Live

Toyah Is a four times Brit Award nominated English musician, singer, songwriter, actress, producer and author. In a career spanning more than 40 years, Willcox has had 8 Top 40 singles, released over 20 albums, written two books, appeared in over 40 stage plays and 10 feature films, and voiced and presented numerous television shows.

Toyah: The Band.

Toyah Willcox (vocals), Chris Wong (guitar), Andy Doble (keyboards), Mike Nichols (bass) and John Humphrey (drums).

Toyah – LIVE! photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Toyah had only recently announced that she was to put on a concert back on the South Coast with her full live electric band. The venue was announced as The Factory Live, located at Unit 9A, Ivy Arch Road in Worthing. The date was set for Thursday 29th July 2021. Toyah last made a visit to Brighton in November 2019 when she played chalk to promote her 2019 charting album ‘In The Court Of The Crimson Queen‘.

Toyah – LIVE! photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

There is so much to like, to love about Toyah!

With fabulous songs such as Rebel Run, Thunder In The Mountains – the set opener tonight, Brave New World, all leading up to the finale of the fantastic It’s A Mystery, the all out blast of I Want To Be Free

Squeezed between two classics was ‘Neon Womb’ and I was happy to see it on the set list tonight. Trust me, it is still loaded with angst and pure punk rock attitude. Toyah actually did stop and chat to the crowd from time to time. There was a birthday message and word had got out about a marriage proposal. Toyah did not continue until she heard the words “I Do”. She swapped some great banter with the crowd throughout the night.

Toyah – LIVE! photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Toyah – the set:

The full set list was as follows: ‘Dance In The Hurricane’ ‘Thunder In The Mountains’ ‘Neon Womb’ ‘Echo Beach’ ‘Sensational’ ‘Good Morning Universe’ ‘Obsolete’ ‘Ieya’ ‘Rebel Run’ ‘Levitate’ ‘Brave New World’ ‘Zoom Zoom’ ‘Be Proud Be Loud Be Heard’ ‘Danced’ ‘Telepathic Lover’ ‘It’s A Mystery’ (encore) ‘I Want To Be Free’.

One of her newer tracks is a classic in the making, she said she had written it during the pandemic and it was ‘Zoom Zoom’. I love this track and it is on repeat along with another of the tracks from her forthcoming album Posh Pop,  Levitate.

Toyah didn’t just take her bigger known hits to the crowd tonight, she worked with and engaged with us all for It’s A Mystery  and I Want To Be Free and I cannot forget to mention a rather sublime version of Martha and the Muffins’ Echo Beach.

Toyah – LIVE! photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

She had her set, the songs all lined up with full on colour and Toyah verve. The set encore was saved for something that’s always special when you hear it live, the uplifting ‘I Want To Be Free’. Toyah nailed the vocals, forget nostalgia for a minute, this sounded fresh, as if recently written and recorded. This song has truly stood the test of time.

Toyah – LIVE! photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex – Levitate!

It was clear Toyah, after stepping off from a music cruise ship earlier in the day, seemed to have a ball. She didn’t stop chatting, dancing, twirling and singing for the entire set.

I have to let you know that the sound generated by Toyah and her band was spot on. The mix covered all the ranges and allowed all the vocals and instruments to be heard clearly. It was loud but not painful. Great job The Factory!

This was a cracking show by any standards and by a real entertainer. She gave us everything on the stage tonight and did not stop dancing and spinning around at every opportunity and that voice is amazing. The set tonight was a perfect mix of those well known hits, some new album tracks and a few other back catalogue favourites. As I said she also drops in a few stories and lets not forget she has a top band backing her, the guitar work and keyboards tonight were outstanding.

Toyah – LIVE! photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Take A Bow

The Factory was packed with people all singing along for the last couple of songs. A great live gig moment as the UK attempts to emerge from the pandemic. The band took a bow and left the stage. Those big hits from back in the day, and the new material sound great live and Toyah’s iconic voice sounds as good as ever. What a performer! The large audience just couldn’t get enough of Toyah and her band. But, I think it’s safe to report, everyone left The Factory smiling having enjoyed this gig.

Toyah – LIVE! photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Thank you Toyah! Hope to see you again soon. This was a great night out for any age.

More information on Toyah HERE.

Support: Phun City

Phun City: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Support was from a local outfit from Worthing called Phun City. PHUN CITY is the brainchild of four Worthing musicians, tonight I think there were 5?  They get their name from a festival held in Worthing in 1970. So, there you are dear reader! You learn something everyday (Thanks to Nick L) – you can find out more about that festival on Google! They were a great support giving the crowd some top notch blues, rock and roll and a healthy slice of humorous chat. These guys put down some serious tunes for us with anecdotal and catchy lyrics, most of the songs seemed to have a Worthing theme running through them. All the songs backed by powerful sounding tunes, and equally catchy melodies and riffs. I suggest you catch them live if you can. They have some EP’s out, and with some hilarious explanations scattered through this entertaining set, some EP’S to be released (due to Covid) and some EP’s that have not been recorded yet! (due to Covid)  Loved the Christmas single “Chutney”. Well played Phun City. Bravo to The Factory for supporting local talent and bands!

You can find Phun City here on FaceBook

The Venue – The Factory Live

The Factory Live – with TOYAH!

The Venue, recently reopened The Factory Live is tucked away in Worthing. It’s a great venue and it was the first time I had been there. A great team running the venue, the staff were approachable, friendly and helpful. I enjoyed chatting with the lighting and tech guys. The venue is pretty large and well ventilated and a nice large bar area and outside seating and tables. After the pandemic – welcome back to The Factory! I had a great evening there. The venue, The Factory Live, is located at Unit 9A, Ivy Arch Road in Worthing.

The Factory Live is Worthing’s latest place to watch great new live music, find your people, and create community; Drink, dance and have a good time! Some early doors photos from inside and outside. Click on the pictures to enlarge.

I will be back!! Please?

The Factory Live on the WWW – here

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