Barbara Dickson with Nick Holland

In this special acoustic performance Barbara Dickson and her pianist Nick Holland explore her catalogue of songs in the intimate and historic setting of Leeds City Varieties. The show, on Sunday 20 th October, is the second collaboration between the
venue and the Pocklington based Hurricane Promotions and follows on from the recently announced show with Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman on Friday 30 th August.

The pair let the words and melodies take ‘centre stage’ as they perform a wonderful range of material drawing on Barbara’s folk roots, contemporary greats, and some of her classic hits. Emerging from the Scottish folk scene of the late 1960’s Barbara had enjoyed mainstream chart success with hits including ‘Answer Me’, ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall’, ‘Caravan’ and the million-selling number one single, ‘I Know Him So Well’. As Scotland’s best-selling female album artist she has earned 6 platinum, 11 gold and 7 silver albums and cemented her status as one of the UK’s best-loved performers. Her stage career has included the roles of the original Mrs Johnstone in Willy Russell’s long-running musical, ‘Blood Brothers’ and as Viv Nicholson in ‘Spend Spend Spend,’ both of which have won her an Olivier award for ‘Best Actress’. Barbara was awarded an O.B.E. by Her Majesty the Queen in the 2002 New Year’s Honours for her services to music and drama and she continues to record and to play to sold-out audiences.

Nick Holland joined Barbara’s touring band in the mid 2000’s playing keyboards and adding vocals on her ‘Full Circle’ album, the first to feature the style of music she now performs. Barbara and Nick work as a ‘duo’ where she plays guitar and piano, and Nick on keyboards –and adding harmonies to Barbara’s own wonderful vocals. They have performed this way in numerous venues including Cathedrals, festivals and theatres and developed an intimate rapport with each other and the audience. “It’s a different experience to working with the bigger band” says Barbara, “but just as enjoyable and gives the music breathing space”.

Barbara Dickson with Nick Holland (with support from Anthony Toner)
Leeds City Varieties
Sunday 20 th October at 7.30pm
Tickets via barbaradickson.net