aaamusic | On 25, Jan 2011

Political and musical activist The Agitator announces a UK tour in support of his forthcoming single ‘Say NO!’, a rousing call-to-arms due for release on the 7^th March. The Agitator is fast building a well-deserved reputation as one of the most exciting live acts to emerge in recent times with a storming set and an insurrectionist energy that renews one’s faith that music can be a powerful tool to confront the powers-that-be.

Their unique line-up is simply front man Derek Meins’ force-of-nature voice accompanied by Robert Dylan Thomasand T-Train on thunderous double drums.

“Guitars are for decadent, capitalist sissies!”

Pared down and primal, this startling voice-rhythm combination makes for a mesmerising live experience. Meins: “I wanted a new kind of music, nothing more than banging, stamping, clapping and voices. Something anyone could do anywhere, on a march, at a protest, on the barricades…” Indeed The Agitator played for the students at the UCL occupation in December and went down a storm.

As we brace ourselves for a year of growing unrest and protest at the cuts that will affect us all, and at a time of recording-breaking levels of youth unemployment, there could be no more appropriate soundtrack from a more relevant and timely artist. There’s been a lot written recently about the marches, riots and the lack of any musical voices to accompany this turbulent new era. Well, the Agitator is emerging as the chief contender for this crucial role. Go, see, and make your voice heard.

The dates are as follows:

30^th January – Oxford, Communion

3^rd February – London, Barfly

17^th February – Brighton, The Green Door Store

19^th February – Cambridge, Haymakers

21^st February – Bristol, Thekla

22^nd February – Nottingham, Stealth

25^th February – Leeds, Nation Of Shopkeepers

26^th February – Glasgow, Captain’s Rest

27^th February – Newcastle, Riverside

28^th February – Manchester, Night & Day