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Ministry of Sound Annual Classical announces line-up

The Annual Classical is brough to lift by a stunning 50-piece orechastra

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Coming to venues across the UK from May 2019, Ministry of Sound – The Annual Classical is an orchestral tour which celebrates and reimagines the brand’s legendary dance music compilation, The Annual.

Set to a laser light production, the record is brought to life by a stunning 50-piece orchestra and sensational vocalists 25 years after it was originally released. The best-selling dance compilation of all time, The Annual‘s rich tapestry of tracks include the iconic Hey Boy Hey Girl by The Chemical Brothers, Sunchyme by Dario G, Insomnia by Faithless, Right Here, Right Now by Fatboy Slim and Moloko’s Sing It Back.

This is the first time that these records have ever been heard with a classical reimagination and the Annual Classcal tour is Ministry of Sound’s first ever  fully produced classical music show, featuring a 50-piece classical orchestra, live performances from original vocalists and an exclusive documentary screening featuring interviews with DJs who launched their careers at the club.

Ministry of Sound have also confirmed which DJs will be makin special guest appearances across the tour.

In Birmingham on 18 May, Seb Fontaine – one of a select few DJs that rose to international prominence in the 1990s off the back of residences at clubs such as Cream, Subteranea and, of course, Ministry Of Sound – will appear.

Mixing compilations for the likes of Cream and Ministry, Seb later joined Radio 1’s hugely influential dance line-up in 2000, hosting a weekly show until 2004.  He still regularly DJs across Ibiza, the UK and the rest of the world.

Judge Jules, who previously hosted The Annual Classical world premiere in London will appear in Cardiff on 31 May.

Speaking abotu the event, Jules said: “After hosting the first ever The Annual Classical show in London, I know what an amazing evening is in store for everyone.  The Ministry Of Sound is such an iconic name worldwide that has always been leading the way for dance music. With the club having been a big part of my career over the years, hearing these classic tracks from the original The Annual compilations reworked by an Orchestra reminded me of what a special time that period in the 1990s was for everyone involved, be they DJ or clubber. Its going to be a big night!”

In Glasgow on 8 June, Dave Pearce is on hosting duties. A Radio 1 dance show legend, Pearce is renowned for his role in the huge growth of dance and club culture – both as a performer and behind the scenes.

He added, “I can’t wait to host The Annual Classical show in Glasgow, it has always had a special place in my heart, having DJ’d in the city over many years including one of the biggest gigs of my life taking Radio 1 into the millennium live from Glasgow with a crowd of 25,000 in 2000.”

Liverpool, meanwhile, will welcome Smokin Jo on 21 June at the Philarmonic Hall. DJing since 1991, Smoking Jo is the only female to have won DJ Magazine’s DJ Of The Year award, she still plays all over the world and continues to have a residency in Ibiza and its this international credibility that has her much in demand from the worlds of film, fashion and of course, music.

While the tour’s Nottingham and Manchester shows will see Brandon Block hosting. Perhaps one of the most loved and best known DJs to have emerged from the ’90s club scene, Brandon Block has had an Ibiza residency since 1990 and regularly plays across Europe and as far afield as Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, Israel and the USA.

Here are those dates and appearances in full:

8 May 2019 – Symphony Hall, Birmingham – Seb Fontaine
31 May 2019 – St David’s Hall, Cardiff – Judge Jules
8 June 2019 – Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow – Dave Pearce
21 June 2019 – Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool – Smokin Jo
6 June 2019 – Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham – Brandon Block
1 June 2019 – The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester – Brandon Block

Tickets for Ministry of Sound – The Annual Classical are on sale now. Get yours through Ticketmaster.co.uk