Aqualung plays first home gig for charity. :: Wessex Scene Online

Aqualung plays first home gig for charity.

14th July 2003

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Dec 07 - Have you Been to the Turner Sims?
May 07 - Gigs: Arctic Monkeys at Southampton Guildhall
May 07 - Gigs: Aqualung at University of London Union
Mar 07 - Gigs: Courtney Pine at Turner Sims Concert Hall
Nov 05 - Arctic Monkeys

Southampton-born musician Matt Hales, better known as Aqualung, is to perform a series of charity gigs at Turner Sims Concert Hall this August in support of the Southampton branch of Samaritans.

Aqualung shot to fame last September when the single ‘Strange and beautiful’, which was used as the theme of a VW Beetle commercial, reached number 7 in the UK charts. Despite numerous successful tours and a gold album, Aqualung has yet to play Matt’s home town.

Matt Hales, Aqualung said, “When I heard that the Southampton branch of the Samaritans needed to raise some money to finish the move to their new home I saw a great opportunity. I finally get to the chance to play my home city and at the same time support a very worthwhile local cause.”

Aqualung will be performing three intimate acoustic concerts at Turner Sims Concert Hall. The first concert (27 Aug) will be a private event for Samaritans volunteers in the area, to recognise the commitment of the people who give up their time to provide 24/7 cover at the Southampton centre, where they take 30,000 calls per year.

The public performances on 28th and 29th August will be used to raise awareness of the vital work of Samaritans, as well as much needed funds to finish the refurbishment work on their new home, 11 College Place, London Road. Tickets for these dates will go on sale on 7 July and will be available from Turner Sims box office (023 8059 5151 or www.turnersims.co.uk).

Matt is looking forward to returning to the Turner Sims – the last time he played there was as part of the Thornden School Wind Band. He’s hoping that an evening of his sophisticated and soulful pop music will prove even more successful than his rendition of ’76 Trombones’ many years before.