WILBERWORD NEWS ARCHIVE
2001-2003
 This is where to find out all the very latest Wilberforce activity and other stuff.....
* In March, Wilberforce got their first press coverage with a review of "Madame Fruitbowl" in the Newsshopper newspaper. * April saw the online release of "Different Story", the first new Wilberforce track since 2002's "Madame Fruitbowl". * In July, a stripped down Wilberforce played their first live gigs. * This was followed by their first foray abroad, with September's Holland Mini-Tour. * That same month, Wilberweb got a new address and a relaunch after celebrating 2 years of being online! GOOD NEWS And after some stormy waters recently, the year has ended on a good note. The keyboard that has been an integral part to the Wilberforce sound and was smashed up during the return from Holland has been replaced! As if that wasn't enough, critic Will Scott recently told Mark Tingley "I'm going to tip Wilberforce for big things next year. I've had hundreds of CDs sent to me over the last year and your album was head and shoulders above them all." While Wilberforce put their feet up, Manorside Studios will be undergoing something of an upgrade, in readiness for 2004. Watch this space for all the latest developments! In the meantime, Mark and Helen and all at Wilberweb would like to wish you a very Merry Xmas and a happy new year. 
WILBERFORCE SABBATICAL. Wilberforce played their last gig of 2003 with a performance to a packed crowd at the Brighton Basement Bedsit gig on 1st November. More details about the event can be found as always in "Gigs". The band have decided to take a break from live performances and hope to write some fresh material for a future project.
THE LAST GIG?
Despite their troubles, the band are looking forward to appearing at the Basement Bedsit weekender on Saturday 1st November in Brighton. It promises to be their greatest (and last?) performance yet, 30 minutes comprising all their very best numbers from the last 4 months. The BBC are also rumoured to be in attendance. Check "Gigs" for all the very latest. * We finally updated the Gallery. Some of you may have noticed we didn't when we said we had, but now we have!!!
Wilberforce finish their brief tour of the Netherlands. Check "Gigs" for all the very latest.
To commemorate the upcoming second anniversary of going online, Wilberweb has a new address! And we've added some new features too, including... * A Gig Archive comprising old dates. * An unsung addition to "Meet Wilberforce". ...as well as a complete site update! MORE LIVE DATES ANNOUNCED! Wilberforce finalise the dates for their mini-tour of Holland, and return to London at an all day festival in Stoke Newington. Check "Gigs" for further info. For a brief history of Wilberforce live and to find out where Wilberforce have already played, go to the brand new Gigs Archive. MEET WILBERFORCE! Former Wilberforce bassist Nat Masse gets her own profile in "Meet Wilberforce". Nat has already earned her strips as chief engineer behind Wilberweb and helping on distribution of "Madame Fruitbowl".
Wilberforce are about to go all Continental... they're undertaking a small tour of the Netherlands in September! This marks their first trip abroad and Wilberforce are said to be genuinely excited!! Most of this has been made possible by the helpful Amy Abdou who shall be playing her own UK dates in October. On 7th August, Wilberforce premiered 3 new songs in a 45 minute set at the friendly Prince Albert in Greenwich, South-East London where Helen introduced a medieval instrument called the Crum Horn. For further live info, check "Gigs".
Wilberforce will be making their Brighton debut on 1st November. This is part of the Basement Bedsit weekend run by Pog at the Sanctuary, which will include other acts to be announced . For further info, check "Gigs".
Wilberforce made their live debut at the Crown and 2 Chairmen in London's Soho on Wednesday 16th July in front of an enthusiastic crowd. In attendance were Ex-Wilber Bassist Natalie Masse, and Zounds frontman Steve Lake. Steve was quoted as saying on Thursday: "It was really fantastic. The singing was great, Mark was confident, Helen's violin playing really caught fire. The whole thing had presence." Wilberforce have now confirmed a second gig at the Prince Albert in Greenwich, South-East London. Don't forget to keep checking "Gigs" for more upcoming live dates, to be announced soon. * You may want to check out the Gallery to see which picture isn't what it seems anymore! Email us at newloverecords@hotmail.com if you know what it is! Look for the new profile introducing new Wilberforce Drummer Dan Stott. We've also clarified the hierachy within Wilberforce. Though Guy Tarrant is not actually a member of the band, we've recognised his importance as artist by retaining him, and Nigel Marvin, in our "Backroom Staff" profiles for their invaluable contributions. Check out our new look "Gigs" section for further information (recently given a lick of paint just for the occasion!!). DIALOGUE "What's happening with Wilberforce?" "I've heard they're about to play very very soon. Don't know where, but it's soon, somewhere." "What else have you heard?" "Seems they're always up to something, a video they're editing or filming, but what, I cannot tell you..... I think there's some archive footage involved..." "Anything else?" "You know how long Wilberforce take, but they always deliver! I think they're as impatient as we are... I heard they're recording another new song, but that's all I can tell you." * A full report on last year's Madame Fruitbowl Launch Party. * What happened when Madame Fruitbowl went to America. * The latest on Wilberforce's plans to play live. * A News Archive section (below).
OTHER NEWS * Another new feature is our News Archive section (below), keeping you updated on recent developments you may have missed. * Meantime, "Different Story" gets a mention from our friends at the Newsshopper, dated 14th May. Click here for more.
Since it's release last year, "Madame Fruitbowl" has continued to sell consistently across other territories including Finland, Canada, Mexico and Wales! Sad news! The Earl of Radnor, the pub where the name Wilberforce was thought up, has closed down. Many thanks to those who've bought "Madame Fruitbowl". It's a vote of confidence you've spent your hard earned cash on us! Tell us what you think, even if you're a first time visitor to wilberweb. Email us at newloverecords@hotmail.com In the meantime, your continued support is very much appreciated! "MADAME FRUITBOWL" FINALLY RELEASED! We are at last proud to unveil the brand new album "Madame Fruitbowl" which was released on Monday 27th May 2002!! Many of you may already have played "Rubber Bra" on wilberweb. But now you can hear clips from all 14 tracks.
The next big Wilberforce news on the horizon are plans for Wilberforce to play live. London has been mooted as the first city, and negotiations are underway to cement a solid lineup. A UK Tour is rumoured for later. Apparently Mark has already been banding together the 5 year old leftover demos from "Fruitbowl" in readiness for the next album!!! In the meantime, many thanks to all of you out there for your continued support! Well the big news at the moment is the launch of Wilberweb, the first project from Wilberforce in over 5 years! This site contains 5 sections at present. But in the coming weeks and months expect a whole host of new and exciting features. Well it wont be long now before the main event...The debut album from Wilberforce!!!
So far Mark has spent 2001 completing final overdubs as well as editing and submixing. OTHER NEWS.... * Rumour has it that Wilberforce will be embarking on a UK tour sometime in 2002. A source close to the band confirmed that moves are afoot to stage a live show, though album promotion is taking priority at the moment.
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