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The Wedding Present touring 'George Best' and 'Hit Parade' in 2013 (dates)

by Bill Pearis

The Wedding Present @ Hotel Vegan 2012 (more by Amanda Hatfield)
The Wedding Present

It was just in the Spring when The Wedding Present was over playing their classic 1991 album, Seamonsters, in full but the band will be back in America early next year to perform both their 1987 debut, George Best and the a-sides to their 1992 “Hit Parade” series, in full which includes stops at Maxwell’s on Feb 8 performing ‘Hit Parade’ and then Bowery Ballroom on February 9 doing George Best. Tickets to the Bowery show go on sale on Friday (10/26) at noon and no word on Maxwell’s ticktets just yet. All North American tour dates are listed below.

After a string of well-received indie singles, George Best was TWP’s major hello to the world, displaying their signature manic jangle sound and David Gedge heartsick lyrics that had UK journalists calling them “Smiths’ fans second favorite band.” It includes such Weddoes classics as “Everyone Thinks He Looks Daft,” “Give My Love to Kevin,” and “My Favorite Dress.” You can stream it at Spotify.

As for Hit Parade, in 1992, hot on the heels of Seamonsters (and the exit of original guitarist Peter Solowka), the band decided to forego a new album and release a new single every month that year. The result tied Elvis’ record of most U.K. Top 30 hits in one year. It yielded some great songs too, including “California,” “Silver Shorts,” and “Queen of Outer Space.” A few Hit Parade videos are below.

As they’ve done with Seamonsters and Bizzaro, they’ll play a set of other songs (old and new) in addition to George Best/Hit Parade in full.


The Wedding Present – “Silver Shorts”

The Wedding Present – “Blues Eyes”

The Wedding Present – “Boing”

The Wedding Present – 2012/2013 Tour Dates
Nov 09 HMV Ritz Manchester, United Kingdom
Nov 10 O2 Academy Newcastle Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Nov 12 York Duchess York, United Kingdom
Nov 13 Leadmill Sheffield, United Kingdom
Nov 14 Nottingham Rescue Rooms Nottingham, United Kingdom
Nov 15 O2 Academy 2 Birmingham Birmingham, United Kingdom
Nov 16 Waterfront Norwich, United Kingdom RSVP Share
Nov 17 O2 Academy Oxford Oxford, United Kingdom
Nov 18 Tivoli Buckley, United Kingdom
Nov 21 Cambridge Junction Cambridge, United Kingdom
Nov 22 Sub89 Reading, United Kingdom
Nov 23 KOKO London, United Kingdom
Feb 08 : Hoboken, NJ – The Hit Parade at Maxwell’s with Heaven
Feb 9 : New York City, NY – George Best at The Bowery Ballroom with Heaven
Feb 11 : Atlanta, GA – George Best at The Earl with Eureka California & Taterzandra
Feb 12 : Athens, GA – The Hit Parade at the Caledonia Lounge with Grass Giraffes & Taterzandra
Feb 14 : Los Angeles, CA – George Best at The Echo with Nightmare Air
Feb 15: Los Angeles, CA – The Hit Parade at The Echo with Me Of A Kind
Feb 16 : San Francisco, CA – George Best at Bottom Of The Hill with Nightmare Air
17/02 : San Francisco, CA – The Hit Parade at Bottom Of The Hill with Me Of A Kind