aaamusic | On 11, Sep 2011

The Rifles announce massive ‘London Weekender’, plus new headline Manchester show

Due to a huge live demand, plus eager anticipation for their excellent new album ‘Freedom Run’ and full UK tour, The Rifles announce three headline March shows at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire and The Troxy in London, plus The HMV Ritz in Manchester. Their riotous and celebratory gigs are not to be missed.

Fans can be part of The Rifles’ London Weekender, where they can attend the back-to-back O2 Shepherds Bush Empire and Troxy shows for just £28. This offer is strictly limited to the first 200 tickets via the band’s website, so speed is advised. Bookings for the individual gigs are also available at www.livenation.co.uk and www.therifles.net.

Confident that ‘Freedom Run’ marks their best LP yet and a creative coming-of-age, The Rifles make a bold statement in booking these large venue headline shows, further sealing their reputation as one of the UK’s biggest bands with a massive, devoted following.

· Thursday 29th March @ The HMV Ritz
Whitworth Street West, Manchester M1 5NQ, Tickets £13.50 adv / www.livenation.co.uk / 0844 847 2405

· Friday 30th March @ O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
Shepherd’s Bush Green, London W12 8TT, Tickets: £17.00 adv / www.livenation.co.uk / 0844 847 2405

· Saturday 31st March @ The Troxy
490 Commercial Road E1 0HX, Tickets: £17.00 adv / www.livenation.co.uk / 0844 847 2405

Tickets go on-sale 9am, Monday 12th September. Limited number of London Weekender tickets available for £28 at www.therifles.net

Full UK tour dates:

26th October – Cambridge Junction – 01223 511511 – Ticket link
27th October – Norwich Arts Centre – 01603 660352 – Ticket link
28th October – Stoke Sugarmill – 0115 9454 593 – Ticket link
29th October – Nottingham UPGRADED SHOW Rock City – 0845 413 4444 – Ticket link
30th October – Sheffield Foundry – 0114 22 28777 – Ticket link
1st November – Manchester Academy 3 – SOLD OUT
2nd November – Leeds Cockpit – 0113 2444600 – Ticket link
3rd November – Newcastle O2 Academy – 0844 477 2000 – Ticket link
4th November – Dunfermline PJ Molloys – 08444 771 000 – Ticket link
5th November – Glasgow Garage – 08444 999 990 – Ticket link
7th November – Birmingham O2 Academy – 0844 477 2000 – Ticket link
8th November – Bristol Thekla – 0845 413 4444 – Ticket link
9th November – Portsmouth Wedgwood Rooms – SOLD OUT
11th November – London HMV Forum – 0844 847 2405 – Ticket link

29th March – Manchester, The HMV Ritz – 0844 847 2405 – Ticket link
30th March – London, O2 Shepherds Bush Empire – 0844 847 2405 – Ticket link
31st March – London, The Troxy – 0844 847 2405 – Ticket link
30th & 31st March – London Weekender – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire / The Troxy – 0844 847 2405 – Ticket link

“Songs like this could take the band to another level” The Guardian

“It’s not often that you’re so blown away by an album that you’re left speechless” Popped Music

“As long as the band continues then The Rifles’ fans will keep coming back for more” Clash

Essex five-piece The Rifles present ‘Freedom Run’, their much-anticipated third studio album. From opening track ‘Dreamer’s blast of romantic, timeless-yet-fresh guitar pop, it’s immediately clear ‘Freedom Run’ is a record that finds The Rifles in fine fettle and bristling with energy. Confident, concise and vital, the band have upped their songwriting ante into a fine craft, with a driving spirit and unified soul that’s clearly audible.

With absolutely zero filler and potential singles aplenty, ‘Freedom Run’ signals a band for whom this appears to be only the beginning. With a huge fervent following and the ability to sell out O2 Academy Brixton, The Rifles have long since outlived their original peers.
“Even though this is our third album, in many ways it feels like our first“, says Joel. “It’s definitely a progression”. Rebirth and change are themes that re-occur throughout the album, typified on the reflective indie jangle of ‘Long Walk Back’.

The album’s first single ‘Tangled Up In Love’ has already picked up plays by Zane Lowe and Fearne Cotton Radio 1, plus XFM due to its summery romanticism and killer hook. ‘Eveline’ is an equally classic song and marks the album’s first respite from energised anthems, with its yearning early 60s-style folk rock meets Merseybeat.

The pounding, piano-driven ‘Love Is A Key’ kicks things back up a notch, with yet another hugely strong song; a prime example of a positive, sincere group lacking in the arch self awareness of many new bands.

‘Falling’ takes things down a slightly psychedelic tangent, sounding like the lovechild of first album Stone Roses and Doves. Ever the MODS, the Phil Spector-esque ‘Nothing Matters’ is a nod to the scene of which their heart lies, that musically they’ve transcended.

Similar to when early 60s R&B combos discovered acid and pot, The Rifles’ minds have been expanded, evident on the epic penultimate track ‘Little Boy Blue (Human Needs)’. It sounds like an interstellar jam between The Who and Hawkwind, spiked by Lemmy’s speed stash.

‘Freedom Run’ was recorded at Paul Weller’s studio, Black Barn and produced by the legendary Chris Potter (The Clash, The Stones, The Verve). The album also marks a personnel change, with Lee Burgess and Kenton Shinn (of the band Garda) replacing Grant Marsh and Rob Pyne. “Things have developing brilliantly with the new boys Lee and Kenny”, says Joel. “We believe we’ve so much we can bring in the future. It really does feel very positive”.

http://www.therifles.net/
http://www.myspace.com/therifles
http://www.facebook.com/therifles
http://twitter.com/#!/theriflesband