In case you didn’t know Erasure is coming to play at the Usher Hall on 3 February and now their support has been announced.
Bright Light Bright Light is the sole support act and the Welsh nu-disco artist is touring with the latest album Choreography. Rod Thomas is Bright Light Bright Light and he counts Erasure as one of his biggest influences.
Throughout his fascinating career, Bright Light Bright Light has collaborated with everyone from Scissor Sisters to Elton John to Alan Cumming. He’s performed on Graham Norton’s chat show; been nominated for the Welsh Music Prize; and last year even managed to make an appearance as an extra in one of his favourite TV shows: The League of Gentlemen.
An always intriguing and exuberant artist who continues to surprise here’s what he had to say when we chatted with him :
You’ve been picked as sole support for Erasure’s upcoming tour – are you excited?
Rod aka BLBL – “I’m so excited. I’ve loved Erasure since I can remember hearing them, so it’s incredible to be joining them on tour for so many shows!”
You have a new single out just ahead of the tour ‘Little Bit’ could you tell us a little more about that?
Rod – “It’s kind of a fan favourite from the album, and one of the most fun to play live from the latest album ‘Choreography’. It’s an over-the-top love song about wanting to show someone how much you care about them. The album was inspired by scenes in films, and this one channels the scene in Terminator where Sarah Connor is holding onto the railing at the armageddon and bursts into flames. Like, THAT’S how big your love is.”
You’ve worked with Vince Clarke on other projects in the past, how did you two meet?
Rod – “Back in 2011 I opened for Erasure on a one-off show, but we didn’t really get to chat then. We met when Mute Records set up a remix swap between us, so I emailed to say thanks, and it turned out that we lived very close to each other in Brooklyn (New York), so we met up for lunch and got on really well, so became friends! It’s a funny world!”
Have you been to Edinburgh on your own tours in the past? What are your memories of playing here?
Rod – I was just there in September in fact! I LOVE the city. It’s so gorgeous and the people are incredible. I opened for Ellie Goulding back in 2010 in the city too, so I’m very excited to return with another band I love!
What can we expect from your performance at the Usher Hall?
Rod – “A lot of fun! It’s so great getting to bring the records to life on stage. We’ll be combining the three full-length albums into one 30 minute set, so expect a whirlwind ride through my pop music life to date, with some ridiculous back stories between songs.
“I go to meet people at the merchandise stand after our set as well as being able to meet new people on the road is the most reqarding part of it all, really, so I’m looking forward to that!”
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
