Then Jerico to celebrate 40 years of FIRST (The Sound Of Music) on tour

## Frontman Mark Shaw to play debut album in full alongside fan favourites

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Then Jerico celebrate 40 years of the band’s debut album_FIRST_(_The Sound Of Music_) with a UK tour this November and next January.

Formed by frontman Mark Shaw via an advert in _Melody Maker,_ Then Jerico made their live debut in London in 1983. After a line-up change and just six more live gigs in London and New York, they signed a seven-album deal with London Records in August 1984. The band recorded several tracks with producer Martin Rushent but London refused to release the first single, _The Big Sweep_, due to Shaw’s controversial lyrical subject matter (Rupert Murdoch and Robert Maxwell). In 1985, the band released it as a limited edition 12″ single, with just 1,000 copies, on the Immaculate indie label owned by Rushent and Pete Shelley. It entered the Indie Charts at No. 12, finally persuading London Records to pay for a further 500 copies to be released the following week.

In 1986, the dance-rock anthem _Fault_ was released on London (also produced by Rushent and remixed in NYC by John Luongo) as a 7″ single and in a limited run of just 10,000 12″ singles, bringing international underground club success. This was followed by the album _FIRST_ (_The Sound Of Music_), co-produced by Mark Shaw and Owen Davies. It featured three chart singles: _Let Her Fall_, _Muscle Deep_ and 1987’s Top 20 hit _The Motive_, which remained in the UK Top 20 for six weeks and spent 14 weeks on the chart, becoming the most-played record on BBC Radio 1 in 1987.

_Muscle Deep_ was subsequently remixed by Julian Mendlesohn and re-released, entering the UK Top 40 before being banned by Radio 1 for its anti-apartheid lyrics. _FIRST_ (_The Sound Of Music_) was re-released, bringing the band worldwide attention. They toured constantly, playing support tours with Iggy Pop, INXS, Propaganda and The Explorers, alongside sold-out headline shows.

For the 40th anniversary tour, Then Jerico will perform _FIRST_ (_The Sound Of Music_) in full, alongside hits _Big Area_, _What Does It Take?_ (originally featuring Belinda Carlisle) and _Sugar Box_ from their 1989 second LP, _The Big Area_, as well as select tracks from 1998’s _Orgasmaphobia_ and Shaw’s 1991 solo album, _Almost_…

#### FIRST (The Sound Of Music) 40th Anniversary Tour

Then Jerico (Full Band)

12 November 2026 Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes

13 November 2026 Minehead Shiiine on Festival

19 November 2026 Huddersfield The Parish

20 November 2026 Glasgow Room 2

21 November 2026 Carlisle The Old Fire Station

27 November 2026 Dover The Booking Hall

22 January 2027 Birmingham Academy 3

23 January 2027 Liverpool Academy 2

30 January 2027 London Bush Hall

Then Jerico (Acoustic)
19 December 2026 Pizza Express Live, Holborn, London

For full ticket information and booking details, visit Mark Shaw: Then Jerico

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