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Lou Reed announces the European tour premiere of his landmark album ‘Berlin’

Reed’s 1973 critically acclaimed song cycle to feature Reed & band accompaniedby string & horn section. Musical direction by Bob Ezrin & Hal Willner / Set design by Julian Schnabel / Featuring the New London Children’s Choir


Self-portrait (c) Lou Reed / Animal Lab, Inc..
 

Tickets went on sale in March for Lou Reed’s European premiere of the entirety of Lou Reed’s 1973 landmark album Berlin. These rare European concerts will see Reed performing with a 30-piece ensemble including his band, a string and horn section, and a children’s choir. The selected European dates began in Brussels on June 18th, and include performances in Holland, France, Germany, Britain and Italy.

Lou Reed performed two UK concerts at the London Hammersmith Apollo on Saturday June 30th and Sunday July 1st. Tickets for the London concerts went on sale at 9am on Friday March 16th.

The Berlin European concerts are being hailed as a rare insight into one of music’s greatest minds, a labour of love and an integral part of rock history. “I only do this every thirty years,” says Reed. “One time, one time only. You can tell your kids you saw Lou Reed’s Berlin.”

The European concerts follow Berlin’s original world premiere at St. Anne’s Warehouse in New York Ciy, December 2006 - the same venue where Reed first performed the Andy Warhol inspired Songs For Drella with John Cale in 1990.


Sydney Festival, January 2007. Photo credit: (c) Adam Taylor

Lou Reed: ‘Berlin’ 2007 European Tour

18-Jun Brussels Forest National
20-Jun Amsterdam Heineken Music Hall
21-Jun Amsterdam Heineken Music Hall
23-Jun Paris Palais de Congress
26-Jun Berlin Tempodrom
29-Jun Manchester International Festival
30-Jun London Hammersmith Apollo
01-Jul London Hammersmith Apollo
03-Jul Lyon Grand Théâtre Romain de Fourvière
04-Jul Theatre Antique
06-Jul Rome Il Parco della Musica
08-Jul Arezzo Piazza Grande
10-Jul Milan Teatro degli Arcimboldi
14-Jul Cagliari Rocce Rosse Festival

When Lou Reed’s album Berlin was originally released in 1973, it was a shock to critics and fans that had just seen Reed reaffirmed as a rock visionary with the runaway success of Transformer, which included the Top 20 hit Walk on the Wild Side. Instead of producing an album that enhanced his reputation as glam-rock innovator, Reed immersed himself in a highly ambitious, emotionally charged, psychologically exhausting, and utterly compelling work - a dark concept album about drifting, tormented addicts in love, broken hearted and willfully disabled ex-pats, plotting their own downfalls in the outskirts of a divided city.


Lou Reed performs 'Berlin' at London's Hammersmith Apollo, Sunday 1st July. Photo credit: (c) www.markmawston.com

The New York Times called the album “one of the strongest, most original rock records in years.” Rolling Stone named it, “the Sgt. Pepper of the 70s.” The same magazine—among many others—attacked Reed for the work: “There are certain records that are so patently offensive that one wishes to take some kind of physical vengeance on the artists that perpetrate them. Reed’s only excuse for this performance…can only be that this was his last shot at a once-promising career.” Reed never performed Berlin live.

Thirty-three years after the release of the album, Reed launched the world premiere of an electrifying theatrical concert version of Berlin at St. Anne’s Warehouse, New York City (December 14-17, 2006), followed by three performances at Australia’s Sydney Festival (January 18-20, 2006). The entire Berlin song cycle was performed live. Reed and his band were accompanied by a string and horn section and a children’s choir, amounting to a 35-piece ensemble.

 
Photo credit: (c) www.markmawston.com

Lou Reed performs 'Berlin' at the Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam, 20th June 2007. Photo credit - (c) www.paulbergen.nl
Lou Reed performs 'Berlin' at the Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam, 20th June 2007. Photo credit - (c) www.paulbergen.nl


Sydney Festival, January 2007.
Photo credit: (c) Adam Taylor

 

As in the making of the album, on the European tour, Reed will collaborate with an all-star creative team including musical direction by the original producer, Bob Ezrin—who produced the Berlin album, and record producer Hal Willner, whose most recent works include the Leonard Cohen tribute concert I’m Your Man (now a theatrically released documentary film and an album on Verve Forecast) and Lucinda Williams.

Similarly to the New York and Sydney concerts, the European performances will be directed and set designed by Reed’s friend, the renowned painter Julian Schnabel.

Reed will be joined onstage by friends and favorite collaborators including singer Katie Krykant, bandleader Rupert Christie (keyboards), Steve Hunter (guitar), Fernando Saunders (bass, vocals), Rob Wasserman (stand-up bass), Tony 'Thunder' Smith (drums), brass and strings arranged by Hal Willner, featuring the London Metropolitan Orchestra and the New London Children's Choir.


Lou Reed - “Berlin” 2007 European Tour
Monday June 18 Brussels Forest National
Venue Address: Forest National, 208 Avenue Victor Rousseau, 1190 Brussels
Tickets: 45 / 60 / 75 euros
Ticket Hotline: + 32 (0)70 25 20 20
Online Booking: www.proximusgoformusic.be
Enquiries/Box Office: + 32 (0)2 340 21 23 / + 32 (0)70 25 20 20
Promoter Website: www.livenation.be
Doors: 7pm
Ticket On-Sale Date: Saturday March 17th
Wednesday June 20
& Thursday June 21
Amsterdam – Heineken Music Hall
Venue Address: Heineken Music Hall, Arena Boulevard 590, 1101 DS Amsterdam ZO
Tickets: 56.50 / 63.50 / 69.50 euros
Ticket Hotline: 0900 300 1250 (45 ct per minute)
Online Booking: www.ticketservice.nl
Venue Enquiries/Box Office: 0900 300 1250 (45 ct.p.m.)
Venue/Promoter website: www.heinekenmusichall.nl, www.mojo.nl
Doors: 6:30pm
Ticket On-Sale Date: Saturday March 17th
Saturday June 23 Paris - Palais de Congress
Address: Palais des Congrès, 2 place de la porte Maillot, 75017 Paris
Tickets: 60 / 80 / 100 euros
Ticket Hotline #1: GDP ticketing: 0 892 392 192 (0,34€/min, number avail from France only)
Ticket Hotline #2: Palais des Congrès ticketing: + 00 33 (0)1 40 68 00 05
Online Booking: www.gdp.fr/
Enquires/Box Office: + 00 33 (0)1 40 68 22 22
Venue/Promoter website: www.palaisdescongres-paris.com, www.gdp.fr
Doors: 7:30pm
Ticket On-Sale Date: Saturday March 17th
Monday June 25 Dusseldorf Philipshalle
Venue Address: Siegburger Strasse 15, 40591 Dusseldorf, Germany
Tickets: 42 / 48 / 57 / 65 euros
Ticket Hotline: 01805 57 00 00 (14 ct./min)
Online Booking: www.eventim.de
Enquiries/Box Office: +49 (211) 77 50 57
Venue/Promoter Website: www.prknet.de | www.philipshalle.de
Doors: 7pm
Ticket On-Sale Date: Wednesday March 28th
Tuesday June 26 Berlin Tempodrom
Address: Tempodrom, Möckernstr. 10, 10963 Berlin
Tickets: 40 / 45 / 55 / 65 euros
Ticket Hotline: ++49(0)1805 - 57 00 00
Online Booking: www.eventim.de
Enquiries/Box Office: +49 (0)30 74 73 70
Venue/Promoter website: www.tempodrom.de , www.prknet.de
Doors: 7pm
Ticket On-Sale Date: Saturday March 17th
Friday June 29 Manchester International Festival
The UK Premiere of Lou Reed's 'Berlin'
Address: Manchester Apollo, Stockport Road, Manchester, M12 6AP
Tickets: £39.50 / £44.50 / £48.50
Tickers on sale to Festival members from 12 noon on Wednesday March 21st
Tickets on sale to the general public from 10am on Friday March 30th
Ticket Hotline: 0871 230 1888
Online Booking: www.manchesterinternationalfestival.com
Enquiries: 0870 401 8000 Doors: 8pm
Saturday June 30
& Sunday July 1
London Hammersmith Apollo
Address: Hammersmith Apollo, Queen Caroline Street, London, W6 9QH
Tickets: £45/£55/£60
Ticket Hotline: 0870 400 0688
Online Booking: www.livenation.co.uk, www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Enquiries/Box Office: 0870 400 0688 (0870 606 3400 disabled)
Promoter Website: www.livenation.co.uk
Doors: 7pm
Ticket On-Sale Date: Friday March 16th
Tuesday July 3 Lyon – Les Nuits de Fourvière, Grand Théâtre Romain de Fourvière
Venue Address: Les Nuits De Fourviere, 6 Rue De L'Antiquaille, Lyon 5, France
Tickets: 45 euros
Ticket Hotline: 04 72 32 00 00 (international +33 (0)4 72 32 00 00)
Online Booking: www.nuitsdefourviere.fr, www.fnac.com
Venue Enquiries/Box Office: 04 72 32 00 00 (international +33 (0)4 72 32 00 00)
Venue/Promoter Website: www.nuitsdefourviere.fr
Doors: 8.30pm
Tickets On-Sale Date: Wednesday March 28th
Wednesday July 4 Arles - Theatre Antique
Venue address: Theatre Antique, 13 200 Arles Venue, France
Website: www.rencontres-arles.com
Venue enquiries phone numbers and box office: +33 490 96 76 06
Preferred online booking: www.rencontres-arles.com - www.fnac.com
Door opening times: 9 pm
Friday July 6 Rome - Il Parco della Musica – “Santa Cecilia” Hall
Venue Address: viale Pietro De Coubertin 30
Tickets: 40 / 50 / 70 euros
Ticket Hotline: +39 06 199.109.783
Online Booking: www.auditorium.com
Enquires/Box Office: +39 06 80241281 - 199109783
Venue/Promoter Website: www.auditorium.com
Doors: 8pm
Ticket On-Sale Date: Monday March 26th
Sunday July 8 Arezzo – Arezzo Art Festival, Piazza Grande
Venue Address: Piazza Grande, Arezzo, Italy
Tickets: 10 euro
Ticket Hotline: +39 0573 99 46 59
Online Booking: www.ticketone.it, www.boxol.it
Enquires/Box Office: +39 0573 99 46 59
Venue/Promoter Website: www.playarezzo.it
Doors: 8:30pm
Ticket On-Sale Date: Monday March 26th
Sunday July 10 Milan, Italy - Teatro degli Arcimboldi
Ticket Hotline: +39 030 892 101
Venue Address: Teatro degli, Arcimboldi, viale dell’Innovazione 1 Milan
Venue Website: www.teatroarcimboldi.org
Venue/Box Office: 892 101
Online Booking: www.ticketone.it
Doors: 8.30pm
Ticket On-Sale Date: Tuesaday April 24th
Saturday July 14 Cagliari, Italy - Rocce Rosse Festival
Venue Address: Anfiteatro Romano, viale Fra Ignazio, Cagliari, Italy
Ticket Hotline: +39 070 65 74 28
Festival Website: www.roccerosse.it | www.anfiteatroromano.it
Venue/Box Office: 899 5000 55, +39 070 65 29 56, +39 070 65 74 28
Online Booking: www.greenticket.it
Door opening times: 9.00pm
Ticket On-Sale Date: Wednesday April 18th


Johnnie Walker & Lou Reed @ Wise Buddah, London England, June 12th 2007
Photo (c) Peter Noble

News, Interviews and Reviews

Le Monde – Lyon, France concert review
www.lemonde.fr/../

All Gigs - Review of 'Berlin' gig in Manchester
www.allgigs.co.uk/../

musicOMH – London 'Berlin' gig review
www.musicomh.com

Jonathan Ross & David Walliams discuss Lou Reed's 'Berlin' London Apollo gig on BBC 6 Music
Click Here For The MP3

Financial Times - A Tale of Addiction Rehabilitated
www.ft.com/../

BBC 6 Music – London Apollo gig review
featuring a comment from Jonathan Ross
www.bbc.co.uk/../

The Herald – London Apollo gig review
www.theherald.co.uk/../

Glastonbury of the Mind – Gavin Martin's take
on the London Apollo concert
http://glastonburyofthemind.blog.com/

London Evening Standard -
London Hammersmith Apollo gig review
www.thisislondon.co.uk/../

Get Ready To Rock - London Hammersmith Apollo gig review
www.getreadytorock.com/../

Manchester Evening News - Manchester Apollo gig review
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/../

The Independent - 5-Star Review of 'Berlin' concert
at Amsterdam Heineken Music Hall
http://arts.independent.co.uk/../

France 24 - 'Berlin' Paris concert review
www.france24.com/../

Johnnie Walker interviews Lou Reed (BBC Radio 2)
www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/walker/

Le Monde - Lou Reed, l'esthète dans 'Berlin'
www.lemonde.fr/../

The Sunday Times - Robert Sandall reviews
Lou Reed's 'Berlin' concert in Brussels
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/../

The Guardian – 5-Star review of Berlin gig in Amsterdam
http://music.guardian.co.uk/../

BBC Music - 'Berlin' 2007 Tour Edition Review
www.bbc.co.uk/../

Virgin Media - 'Berlin' 2007 Tour Edition Review
http://musicnews.virginmedia.com/../

NME - Lou Reed Suggests There's Even More 'Berlin'
www.nme.com/../

MusicOMH - 'Berlin': 2007 Tour Edition Review
www.musicomh.com/../

BlogCritics.com - Lou Reed Takes 'Berlin' Back On The Road
http://blogcritics.org/../

Manchester Evening News - 'Berlin' 2007 Tour Edition CD Review
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/../

BBC Radio London - Robert Elms interviews Lou Reed
www.bbc.co.uk/../

The Bolton News - Manchester International Festival: Lou Reed
www.theboltonnews.co.uk/../

icCoventry - Lou Reed's 'Berlin' Takes A Tour On The Wild Side
http://iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk/../

Daily Telegraph – Review of Berlin gig in Amsterdam
www.telegraph.co.uk/../

The Guardian - Lou Reed: The Day The Wall Came Down
www.guardian.co.uk/../

International Herald Tribune - Ressurecting 'Berlin,'
Lou Reed's Seedy Masterpiece
www.iht.com/../

BBC World Service -
Lou Reed Reprises Berlin Album For Major Tour
www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/../

Today show (BBC Radio 4) - Lou Reed Audio Interview
www.bbc.co.uk/../

Room Thirteen - News Story
www.roomthirteen.com/../

Angry Ape - News Story
http://angryape.com/../

Undercover.com.au - News Story
http://undercover.com.au/../

Glasswerk - News Story
www.glasswerk.co.uk/../

The Telegraph Magazine - Iron Glove, Velvet Fist
(The Mick Brown Interview)
www.telegraph.co.uk/../

The Times - Berlin Interview
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/

Manchester Evening News -
UK Premiere of 'Berlin' At Manchester Festival
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/../

ABC News - Lou Reed Wows Sydney with Berlin
www.abc.net.au/

Sydney Morning Herald - Live Review of Berlin Concert
www.smh.com.au/

Music-News.com - Lou Reed To Headline
Manchester International Festival
www.music-news.com/../

Billboard.com - Lou Reed To Revisit 'Berlin' In Europe
www.billboard.com/../

NME.com - Lou Reed Anounces European Premiere Of 'Berlin'
www.nme.com/../

Uncut.co.uk - Lou Reed Brings Berlin To London
www.uncut.co.uk/../

Q4Music – Lou Reed To Tour ‘Berlin’
http://news.q4music.com/../

Playlouder.com – Then Reed Takes Berlin . . . around the world
www.playlouder.com/../

eil.com - Lou Reed On Tour
http://eil.com/blog/index.asp

Gigwise - News Story
www.gigwise.com/../

eGigs.co.uk - Two New UK Dates For Lou Reed
www.egigs.co.uk/../

Bacon Music - Lou Reed To Play Two Rare London Shows
www.baconmusic.co.uk/../

Drowned in Sound – Lou Reed Tours Europe With Berlin Album
www.drownedinsound.com/../

Rock Star Italy - News Story
www.rockstar.it/../

Indigo Flow – Lou Reed Brings Berlin Show To Europe
www.indigoflow.co.uk/../

AlbumVote.co.uk
www.albumvote.co.uk/../

Entertainment 4 Media.com - News Story
www.entertainment4media.com/../

Essential Web Links:

Lou Reed / Luciano Pavarotti - Perfect Day (2001)
www.youtube.com/../

Official Lou Reed Site
www.loureed.com

Lou Reed - Official MySpace Page
www.myspace.com/officialloureed

Lou Reed Biography on Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Reed

Lou Reed - New York City Man
www.loureed.nl

Lou Reed - Rock and Roll Animal
www.arrakis.es/~e.miquel/rnranimal/

The Lou Reed Forum
www.loureedforum.com

Lou Reed - Italian Fansite
www.loureed.it


Publicity Contact

For further information please contact:

Peter Noble & Tracy Gosling @ NOBLE PR
Central Ignition
1 Mercers Mews
London N19 4PL
Tel: +44 (0) 207 272 7772
Fax: +44 (0) 207 272 2227
E-mail:
peter@noblepr.co.uk | tracy@noblepr.co.uk

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