Few concert announcements have excited me more in recent months than learning this week that horror legend, John Carpenter is to perform some of his classic scores at venues in both Manchester and London later this year.
Carpenter is one of the pioneers of synth-orientated soundtracks in the world. The son of a music teacher, Carpenter is a rarity in the business (alongside Mike Figgis) who also composes the music for the films. This autumn, after a concert taking place in the summer in Iceland (July 2016) he will bring his debut studio work LOST THEMES to the masses in two eagerly anticipated gigs in Manchester (Albert Hall) and London (Troxy) on the 29th and 31st October 2016. Tickets and information below for both the Iceland and UK concerts:
https://www.atpfestival.com/newsview/1509301656
https://www.atpfestival.com/newsview/1511191555
These are going to be THE gigs of the year for Carpenter fans, who have snapped up his soundtracks over the years, myself included. His greatest soundtrack in my opinion is ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, which I bought on LP back in 1984.
There will of course undoubtedly be opportunities to hear many of the other themes he has done over the years and if you are lucky enough to secure tickets for either of the gigs, you can expect music from the likes of ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 (1976), HALLOWEEN (1978), THE FOG (1979), BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA (1986), PRINCE OF DARKNESS and THEY LIVE (both 1988).
Carpenter also performed as part of his own band the Coupe De Villes and they even had a minor hit in 1986 with the title track from BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA.
His long term collaborator, Alan Howarth, who worked on the soundtracks from HALLOWEEN II (1981) onwards, also recently performed in London to an appreciative crowd.
I have secured a ticket for the Troxy gig and a review of the night will follow the day after the London concert.
