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The Dire Straits Experience (UK)
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March 03, 20:00
Crocus City Hall 
 It was against the backdrop of this two-decade break – and an increasing demand to hear one of the most dramatic songbooks in rock history played live again – that members of Dire Straits, Alan Clark, Chris White and Phil Palmer formed The Straits for a charity show at The Royal Albert Hall in 2011. With the prolific Knopfler enjoying an incredibly successful solo career, Alan Clark called upon the singer songwriter, Terence Reis to front the band in his absence. By the time The Straits ended, three and a half years later, the band had played more than 150 shows in 25 countries around the world. An invitation to play a series of shows in New Zealand and Australia has seen Chris White and Terence Reis collaborating again for The Dire Straits Experience. Joining them is a stellar band of some of the finest professional musicians the UK has to offer. Between them they have worked with an enviable list of rock royalty that includes, amongst others, Mark Knopfler, David Gilmour, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Elton John, David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Tina Turner, Van Morrison, Tom Jones and Sheryl Crow.
Chris White, who worked with Mark Knopfler from the early ‘80s on film scores, joined Dire Straits for their record breaking Brothers In Arms world tour in 1985. This included their performance at Live Aid and, later, the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday concert in 1988. He went on to play on the final Dire Straits album, On Every Street, and was again part of the two-year world tour that produced the live On The Night album and DVD. Having experienced the audience response to a live Dire Straits show at the height of the band’s popularity, he speaks fondly of the fans today. “I have been truly amazed and, frankly, humbled by the response we have had from the fans on hearing these songs again. Dire Straits have the most amazingly loyal fan base. It has been so great to reconnect with people I last saw in 1992 and see them still getting so much from this music. Also, it is fantastic to make new friends among the many young people who are now discovering Mark and Dire Straits. So many people still want to experience this live.”
And of the years playing along side Mark Knopfler? Chris appreciates that it was always going to be an almost impossible task to bring any sense of authenticity to these extraordinary pieces of music without Mark Knopfler.
“When I was first approached to put together a band to play the Dire Straits songs at the Albert Hall, I didn’t believe it would be possible to find someone who would be able to stand in Mark’s shoes without sounding like an imposter. I was wrong. In Terence Reis, I think we may have found the only person on the planet that is able to play and sing like Mark, but maintain his own integrity and identity. I think this is the very essence of why the fans have been so accepting of what we do. They believe in Terence as his own man. They know he is not trying to be Mark. Because of his respect for Mark, Terence is able to perform these songs in a very honest way that allows his energy and talent to come through. This is exactly what allows the performances to feel alive and fresh. Not slavish copies of a bygone time. Without Terence, this would simply not work.”
And so it is that these songs, in all their ambition, grandeur and aching beauty, are once again presented live... for the fans that that have kept them alive.
The band:
 Chris White, Saxophone, Flute, Percussion & Vocal. Chris White’s first real break in the music industry came in 1981 when he was asked to play on Nick Heyward’s album “North Of A Miracle’’. Following this success, his reputation continued to build, playing and recording with artists such as Paul McCartney, Aztec Camera, Chris DeBurgh, The The, and Mark Knopfler, the latter leading to what he is best known for – the saxophone sound of Dire Straits. His work with Dire Straits included the “Brothers in Arms” and “On Every Street” World Tours, the “On Every Street” and “On The Night’’ albums, and the legendary “Live Aid’’ and “Mandela’’ concerts. More recently, Chris has also guested on two of Mark Knopfler’s solo albums. Outside of this association, he has recorded and toured with many artists, including Joe Cocker, Ray Charles, Mick Jagger, Suggs and Robbie Williams.
Terence Reis, Lead vocals & Guitars. “The unbelievable Knopfler channelling of guitarist/singer Terence Reis… not only replicates Knopfler’s guitar and singing style in an eerily accurate manner, he performs with such gusto and passion it was easy to forget we weren’t watching the original Dire Straits in its early 1980s prime. From intense, elongated versions of epics like “Telegraph Road” and “Tunnel of Love” to fan favourites like “Walk Of Life” and “Brothers In Arms,” the music hit every target, without a false note of mimicry or nostalgia...” (Barry Davis, The Straits’ European Autumn Tour 2012). Of English, Portuguese, Welsh, Irish and Australian descent, Terence Reis grew up on the east coast of Africa in the Portuguese capital of Lourenço Marques (now called Maputo) in Mozambique. After completing an honours degree at the University of Witwatersrand School of Dramatic Arts, Terence embarked on an award-winning career as a professional freelance actor and voice artist. At this time that he was also developing his life-long love of music into a parallel career as a guitarist, singer and songwriter. It has seen him playing, writing, singing for and fronting various bands. However, it was a decision to take a sabbatical that led to a move to Canterbury in the southeast of England. It was here that he formed the band Waterhorse. A decision that would introduce him to The Straits and ultimately The Dire Straits Experience.
Michael Féat, Bass Guitars & Vocals. Mick is an internationally renowned bassist whose past work includes being the in-house bass player at Island Records, he’s also recorded and toured with a host of major artists that features Art Garfunkel, Van Morrison, David Gilmour, Justin Hayward, Chaz Jankel, Cliff Richard & Barry Gibb. Mick’s work with Mark Knopfler takes in the platinum selling Tina Turner and Willy De Ville albums and the film scores for ‘Color of Money’, ‘Princess Bride’ and ‘Comfort & Joy’.
Tim Walters, Guitars & Vocals. Tim Walters began playing the guitar in 1989 and has steadily built a reputation as one of the most exciting guitarists in the UK, known for his versatility and powerful live playing. With a wide experience of live performance, he has shared a stage with some of the UK’s finest Rock, Pop and Jazz musicians and comes to The Dire Straits Experience through his work with Chris White on other projects. Tim is also a respected teacher who lectures at the world renowned “Academy of Contemporary Music” (ACM) in Guildford and has also organised many music courses, work shops and master classes.
Simon Carter, Piano, Organ & Keyboards. A keyboard player and musical director of great accomplishment, Simon Carter has worked with a huge array of artists in the world of pop, rock and jazz. He played with Jamiroquai between 1999 and 2002, which saw him tour the world many times over in promotion of the Synkronised and A Funk Odyssey albums. This was followed in 2003 with another major world tour with Craig David. He has also worked with artists as varied as Nik Kershaw, Elkie Brooks, 10cc, Leo Sayer, The Divine Comedy, Anastacia, Rick Astley, Kim Wilde and Midge Ure.
Danny Schogger, Piano, Organ & Keyboards. After studying at the Royal Academy of Music, Danny Schogger was quickly in demand as a session keyboard player, recording with Paul Young, Chris De Burgh, Wham and George Michael, to name but a few. While touring with Gallagher and Lyle, Hot Chocolate and Wham, Danny began to develop a writing career, which has seen him writing songs for artists such as Bananarama, Celine Dion and Heather Small. A growing reputation and demand as a producer led to working with artists as diverse as Nick Heyward, Sam Brown, Breathe, Jimmy Nail and Worlds Apart. Danny remains a very active producer/writer.
Paul Geary, Bass Guitars & Vocals. Paul Geary is responsible for laying down the low frequencies of Nik Kershaw’s band. In 1993, he was voted Best “New Musician” by the British Music Association and has since established himself as one of the UK’s foremost studio bassists and active session musician. He went on to work with Chris Rea and played alongside Jools Holland as part of the Prince’s Trust Rock School. Later, in the autumn of 1993, he started playing bass for Chris Norman, the former lead singer of Smokie. 1994 brought relocation to London to head up to the Academy of Contemporary Music’s bass school. Currently splitting his time between working with many of the above-mentioned artists and lecturing, Paul remains in demand as a bass player, music director and educator.
James Powell, Drums. James is fortunate to have the great British musician, Georgie Fame as his father. Aged 17 he joined Fame’s band and has remained in the drum chair for over 20 years. During that time he has also worked with many eclectic artists including Bill Wyman, Van Morrison, Alan Price, Zoot Money, Stephen Duffy, Lloyd Cole, Marty Pellow, Christina Aguillera, Elaine Paige, David Cassidy, Des O’Connor, Robbie Williams, John Barrowman, Tony Hadley, Petula Clark and Elvis Costello.
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