Iconic R&B group, Shalamar, are set to return to the Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent on Friday 31 May. This will be the first time that the band have performed in the city since 1982.

The groups line up still boasts two from three original members of their golden era of 1979 - 1983 with lead singer Howards Hewett, ably assisted by Jeffrey Daniel - the man who via Top of The Pops introduced the ‘Moonwalk’ to the British public in 1982. The duo are joined by Carolyn Griffey, daughter of the bands original record label Solar Records founder Dick Griffey. For live performances they have a specially assembled seven piece band who certainly know how to lay down the beat!

The Greatest Hits Tour will be a feast of non-stop veritable 80’s Shalamar dancefloor classics, complemented with silky smooth ballads from original members from 1979 onwards - the golden voice of Howard Hewett - one of the greatest Soul/R&B singers of all time. With 11 Top 40 hits - of which four were Top 10 chart smashing singles and with over 25 million records sold, the group are one of the most successful soul acts of all time. This will be an evening to make everyone dance and will definitely be ‘A Night to Remember’.

The group will perform their greatest hits such as ‘A Night To Remember’, ‘Take That to The Bank’, ‘Second Time Around’, ‘Make That Move’, ‘Dead Giveaway’, ‘Disappearing Act’, ‘Dancin’ In The Sheets’, ‘Over and Over’, ‘Friends’ and many more.

This will be the band’s first performance in Stoke for 42 years, with the Victoria Hall is the same venue the band played on the 1982 Friends Tour. As lead singer Howard Hewett commented, ‘We’ve seen the signs for Stoke many many times over the years as we travelled up and down the M6 to other cities but for whatever reason we seemed to miss out on Stoke itself so it’s great to be coming back. I can’t promise I can move as quickly as I did back in 1982 but Jeffrey Daniels can still do ‘The Moonwalk!’

In 2023 Shalamar were awarded a stone on the Camden Music Walk of Fame and were Soul Act of the Year at the Boisdale Awards. Backed by a solid seven piece band they are guaranteed crowd pleasers and headliners at many summer festivals.

Special guest on the night to open up the show will be the legendary Gwen Dickey, former lead singer of 70’s Soul outfit Rose Royce. All soul fans will be familiar with the hit singles ‘Car Wash’, ‘Is it Love You’re after’, ‘Wishing on a Star’ ‘Love Don’t Live Here Anymore’.

Booking is now open. Tickets are available online at www.atgtickets.com/stoke.