Sparks

Live at

New Theatre Oxford

Tue 23 May 2023

Closed

Levels of interest in the work of Sparks are at heights unsurpassed in their 50+ year career, with the ultimate cult band now centre stage in the full beam of the spotlight.

New Theatre Oxford

Tue 23 May 2023

24-26 George St, Oxford OX1 2AG, UK

Doors open 19:00

Age guidance: Under 16's to be accompanied by an adult 21+, No under 5's

For group bookings of 10 or more:

Submit a request online

Or call 020 7206 1174

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Most people, with even a passing acquaintance with Sparks, will know the basics by now. How Californian brothers Ron and Russell Mael, both students at UCLA, began making music together in the late Sixties, originally under the name Halfnelson. How their Top Of The Pops debut with This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us stunned a generation and nearly scored them a UK No.1. How their career moved through many phases, including (but not limited to) art rock, glam, big band swing, electro-disco, new wave and synthpop, taking in collaborations with Todd Rundgren, Les Rita Mitsouko, Tony Visconti Franz Ferdinand and Giorgio Moroder.

How keyboardist and songwriter Ron's intricate staccato arrangements combine with the hysteria-pitch falsetto in which Russell delivers his brother's always-on-point lyrics. How Ron's stillness and stern, intimidating visage contrasts onstage with Russell's hyperactivity. How their popularity has spiked unpredictably in different territories at different times: Britain, France, Germany, Scandinavia, Japan, and their homeland the United States. And how the influence of “the greatest band you've never heard of”, or “your favourite band's favourite band”, has been recognised by successive generations of artists from Joy Division to Duran Duran to Depeche Mode to Bjork to Beck to The Darkness and beyond.

Now into their sixth decade of making music, Sparks have never been more relevant.

Once more Top 10 regulars, with studio albums Hippopotamus (2017) and A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip (2020) both reaching No.7 in the UK and receiving global acclaim, the lauded career-spanning documentary film The Sparks Brothers, directed by Edgar Wright (Shaun Of The Dead, Hot Fuzz, Baby Driver) and released in 2021, brought an awareness of Sparks to parts they previously hadn't reached.

Sparks’ 2021 film musical Annette, directed by Leos Carax and starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard, was showered with awards, especially in France where Carax won Best Director at Cannes, and where the film won three Lumières Awards and five César Awards including Best Original Music for Ron and Russell. Focus Features have recently announced the studio is developing X-Crucior a musical epic written by Ron and Russell.

A new studio album is due in 2023.

New Theatre Oxford

24-26 George St, Oxford OX1 2AG, UK

Oxford Railway Station

The Box Office is open for 90 minutes prior to the performance commencing. See 'What's On' section for performance times

About

Getting here

Access

Bar - Pre-show & interval drinks and snacks

Ambassador Lounge - Pre-show & interval table service (Charge applies)

Cloakroom - Coats & small bags (Charge applies)

Director’s Box – The ultimate VIP viewing experience (Booking required)

New Theatre Oxford is the region’s largest live entertainment venue. Showcasing the finest west-end musicals, acclaimed comedians, inspirational opera, atmospheric dance and international live music since 1934. Historically hosting Bob Dylan, Queen, Laurence Olivier, Kate Bush, Nick Cave, Miriam Margolyes, The Smiths and Sir Ian McKellen to name but a few.

See other shows at this venue

New Theatre Oxford

Tue 23 May 2023

24-26 George St, Oxford OX1 2AG, UK

Doors open 19:00

Age guidance: Under 16's to be accompanied by an adult 21+, No under 5's

For group bookings of 10 or more:

Submit a request online

Or call 020 7206 1174

Join ATG+, the UK's best live entertainment membership

With an ATG+ membership, you can enjoy a host of exclusive benefits across 35+ ATG venues

Better access to tickets via priority booking and ringfenced seats