Fortune cookies have never failed… Michael Head releases ‘Tout Suite!’
Unrushed amidst sun-dappled, slow-motion melody, jewelled with piano, brass and tremolo mandolin, Michael Head and The Red Elastic Band dip into the storybook of the singer-songwriter’s life and times on Tout Suite! the latest single from upcoming album, Loophole. The legendary songwriter’s newest release comes as fans look forward to meeting the documentarian of their lives over five decades, as well as his own, on six immediate tour dates happening through May.
No sooner has he come to the end of an intimate acoustic tour, feeling the warmth of the meet-and-greets that followed, Head heads out to take on six major cities from Thu 2 May when he opens the short tour at Glasgow’s Mackintosh Church. The following five dates include a return to London to play Earth Theatre on Thu 9 May, while festival season also starts for Head next month with his announcement as the special guest, afternoon headliner at Liverpool’s Sound City on Sun 5 May.
Tout Suite, like previous singles Ciao Ciao Bambino, Shirl’s Ghost and Ambrosia, cuts out a page from Head’s life and times with vivid lyrical recollection and vibrant melodic colour. Spooling the rollercoaster ride of his 62-years forward to the present and a sense of contentment found in the heart of family and rekindled romance, the former Pale Fountains, Shack and Strands figurehead casts a beam of optimistic light from Loophole’s deep grooves.
Head says: “’Tout Suite!’ is an old-fashioned love song about reconnection, unity and love. My own fortune cookie read “An old acquaintance will re-enter your life” and fortune cookies never fail.”
Recently taking to social media to explain the circumstances around a delay in publication, Head’s previously announced autobiography, Ciao Ciao Bambino: A Magical Memoir, to be published by Nine Eight Books will now become available on Thu 14 August 2025. Uncovering forgotten alleyways and previously unlit corners along the winding road of his life in and outside music in the process of writing both the book and album, Head’s resurgent creative appetite comes hand-in-hand with a focused, less-compromising perfectionism.
Despite some disappointment that all of his goals for 2024 won’t be met as planned, the year continues on an optimistic course beyond Loopholes’ release on its updated release date of Fri 17 May 2024 via Modern Sky as Head readies The Red Elastic Band for the biggest gig of their time together. Coming home to Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on Fri 13 December with no small sense of celebration, a career-spanning set and special guests are set to illuminate one of the city’s most prestigious venues.
Including the one, remaining, intimate acoustic show plus festival additions, the full run of current Michael Head live dates for 2024 are as follows:
Wed 24 Apr – Glasgow, Assai*
Thu 2 May – Glasgow, Mackintosh Church
Fri 3 May – Newcastle, Gosforth Civic Theatre
Sat 4 May – Leeds, City Varieties
Wed 8 May – Brighton, CHALK
Thu 9 May – London, Earth Theatre
Fri 10 May – Manchester, Gorilla – SOLD OUT
Fri 13 Dec – Liverpool, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Remaining tickets are available now via booking links available at www.michaelheadofficial.com
Loophole was recorded at YAWN Studios in West Kirby in the company of producer, Bill Ryder-Jones, and features all of The Red Elastic Band’s gifted musicians, Phil Murphy (drums), Tom Powell (bass), Nathaniel Cummings (guitars/backing vocals) and Martin Smith (trumpet).
For information on upcoming releases, live dates and other news, connect with Michael Head and The Red Elastic Band online at:
www.facebook.com/redelastic
www. twitter.com/michaelheadtreb
www.instagram.com/officialmichaelhead