The South

History - from The Housemartins to The Beautiful South to The South

After 20 years, ten studio albums, five greatest hits compilations, thirty-four chart singles, 15 million record sales worldwide and performing in front of millions of fans, when time was called on The Beautiful South in 2006, not everyone was ready to leave the party. Dave Hemingway and Ali Wheeler, lead singers with the band were having too much fun to get out the pipe and slippers, and so The South was formed. Joining the duo were fellow mainstays from the band: keyboard wizard Damon Butcher and the potent horn section of Gaz Birtles and Tony Robinson that brought so much to the live shows. Armed with a sensational back catalogue of hits such as ‘Song For Whoever’, ‘Perfect Ten’, ‘Rotterdam’, ‘Don't Marry Her’, ‘You Keep It All In’, ‘Old Red Eyes Is Back’ and many others, there is a long way to go on this particular road.

This band has history and pedigree. Dave Hemingway’s musical career stretches back into the Eighties. He became a founder member of The Beautiful South after the demise of The Housemartins, who had enjoyed a sustained purple patch and many hits before calling it a day in 1988. Whilst bassist Norman Cook went on to become superstar DJ Fat Boy Slim, Paul Heaton and Dave Hemingway proceeded to form the new band in December 1988. Right from the off, The Beautiful South seemed to defy the normal logic associated with pop bands, not least for the fact that they stayed together for 20 years.

Over the life of the band, they produced many self-penned hits and had several number one albums – they scored their only number one single with the Dave Hemingway / Briana Corrigan duet ‘A Little Time’. A globally successful band, members of The South have performed these songs in front of hordes of fans from Hull to Houston. They love the material and know what will keep the fans happy.

Now with The South marking the next step in these musicians’ careers, the band are starting to add in exciting new songs to their repertoire. Competition for space in a set-list packed with so many hits is fierce, but the quality of some of the new material is such that the songs have slotted right in – and the fans’ reaction has been amazing.

The South certainly have history. But the future looks bright...