London based band The Others are heading for Croatia soon to play a tour to welcome Croatia as the 28th member of the European Union.
Croatia joins the EU on 1 July 2013 and The Others will play at three dedicated concerts on 30 June, 2 July and 5 July and are playing for free.
The Others formed in the 1960’s, kicking off their musical career at the famous Eel Pie Island club in Twickenham which spawned the likes of The Yardbirds and at the Crawdaddy Club where the Rolling Stones started out. Brian May of Queen said of them “excellent – easily in the Yardbirds class”. Their distinct style of blues-rock is still setting venues alive around London and Brighton, 50 years after they formed.
Paul Stewart of the band commented “I went sailing in Croatia last year and was blown away by the beauty of the country. We (Peter, Geoff, Rob) discussed a tour and it has come together superbly. The Croatians have been fantastic”
The island of Rab was selected for the first gig on 30 June when The Others will play right up to midnight when Croatia officially joins Europe. Mayor of Rab, Mrs Rosanda Krstinic-Guscic said “we are delighted to welcome The Others to Rab, they are probably the most interesting visitors from London since King Edward VII and Wallis Simpson came to the island in 1936. We plan to give them a royal welcome”.
For their “We Love Croatia” tour, The Others have composed a special “Song for Croatia” which will include reference to the emotions and positive expectations of this new nation since the country’s independence in 1991.
The second gig on 2 July is in Novi Vinodolski on the mainland when The Others will provide the finale to three days of the town’s “Celebration of Europe” programme.
The final concert will be in Moscenicka Draga on 6 July on one of the longest beaches in Croatia. All gigs are in the open-air and last two hours.
Paul Stewart summarised “we’re having fun with some of the pronunciations but it is all looking great. We chose these venues in the Kvarner region in the north-west of Croatia because it’s a stunning area and possibly the country’s best-kept secret: a bit like us really.! We hope that Londoners will hop on a plane and come to the parties to support our new European neighbours-it’s just a two hour flight away”
The Others are:
Paul Stewart vocals, harmonica, acoustic guitar
Rob Tolchard bass guitar
Peter Hammerton lead guitar
Geoff Coxon drums
The gigs are:
30 June Rab Town, island of Rab, St Christopher’s Square 2200
2 July Novi Vinodolski, Frankopan’s Square 2130
5 July Moscenicka Draga beach 2130
The Others take London R&B to Croatia: a historic occasion and a fitting welcome for the European Union’s newest member state..
