Smokey Robinson's HUMAN NATURE: THE MOTOWN SHOW to Play Eventim Apollo, 23 November

By: Jul. 25, 2014
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Direct from the USA and following 1000 Las Vegas headlining shows as well as two North American concert tours, Smokey Robinson Presents Human Nature: The Motown Show will have its first London performance on Sunday 23 November 2014 at Eventim Apollo. Tickets will go on sale to the public from 9.00am on Thursday 31 July.

The show features the dynamic harmonies of Human Nature, the four-piece vocal group consisting of Toby Allen, Phil Burton, and brothers Andrew Tierney and Michael Tierney, as they perform Motown's greatest hits accompanied by their seven-piece band, The Funk Foundation. Smokey Robinson first heard Human Nature when they sang a cappella for the legendary Motown singer-songwriter when the group visited him in the studio as Smokey was laying down his vocals on Get Ready, the title duet track from Human Nature's hit third Motown album. "I grew up with Motown where the standard for talent was so high," said Robinson. "When I saw these guys I was blown away."

"We will never forget performing to Smokey that very first time. We are humbled and grateful for all he has done and continues to do for us, as well as inspiring artists worldwide," said Phil Burton.

Robinson not only agreed to sing with Human Nature, he agreed to come to Australia at the time to launch the album project. The success of Get Ready also founded a firm friendship and mentorship between Smokey and the group. Robinson encouraged Human Nature to spread their career into the North American music market, believing in their vocal talent and showmanship. In what has become a career milestone and now following over 1000 Las Vegas shows, Human Nature became the first Australian group to have their own headlining show in the performance mecca of Las Vegas since 2009. The group currently can be seen five nights a week at The Sands Showroom inside The Venetian Resort & Casino.

"These last 4½ years have been some of the most fulfilling moments for us as a group and as performers. We are so proud to be able to keep the Motown heritage alive and pay homage to some of our greatest influences. Now to bring The Motown Show to London and to perform at the Eventim Apollo is beyond our wildest dreams. We are bringing the best of our show and can't wait to be on stage in London!," said Andrew Tierney.

In Smokey Robinson presents Human Nature: The Motown Show, the four men and their seven-piece band will perform all the Motown favourites, including Reach Out I'll Be There, Baby I Need Your Loving, Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Please Mr. Postman, ABC, My Girl and Stop! In the Name of Love. Motown was the sound that helped shape a generation and made the whole world dance, with some of the greatest hits ever written. Smokey Robinson was there right at the beginning and encouraged Berry Gordy to found the record label in 1959. Speaking in 2009 in tribute to Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Gordy said, "Without The Miracles, Motown would not be the Motown it is today." As well as performing many of his own songs, including The Tracks of My Tears and The Tears of a Clown, Robinson also wrote hits for other Motown artists, such as My Guy for Mary Wells and My Girl for The Temptations. Bob Dylan called him 'America's greatest living poet'.

Human Nature formed in 1989 as a doo-wop group in Sydney. In 1995 they signed with Sony Music Australia and released their debut album Telling Everybody in 1996. The album was an instant hit, selling four times platinum, spawning five hit singles and in the process going on to become one of the most successful debut albums ever released in Australia. They became known as the Take That of Australia. Human Nature opened for Michael Jackson on his 1996/97 HIStory Tour in Europe and Australia and, at the same time, for Celine Dion's Falling Into You... Around the World Tour, followed by her Let's Talk About Love Tour in Japan and South Korea. In 2000, the group had the honour of performing the Australian National Anthem at the Sydney Olympics. 25 years after first performing, the group now have 24 platinum awards to their name, having released ten albums and sold more than two million records in Australia alone.

Smokey Robinson presents Human Nature: The Motown Show is presented in London by AEG Live, one of the world's leading companies in live entertainment, promoting sell-out UK tours for the world's biggest artists including Alicia Keys, Emeli Sandé, Justin Bieber, Bon Jovi, Guns N Roses, Britney Spears, Beyoncé, Prince, Leonard Cohen, Rod Stewart and The Black Eyed Peas, as well as finding emerging and growing new talent. AEG Live also promotes festivals and outdoor events including Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park, and UK Live featuring the likes of The Rolling Stones, Neil Young, The Libertines, Bon Jovi, Lionel Richie, Jessie J, and The Vamps.



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