Louder Than The Music

In a humorous message to fans, Delirious? have contradicted their earlier announcement that their farewell tour in November would have no support act, by announcing that 'The Cutting Edge Band' would be supporting them on the tour.

Says the band's press release, "Having previously decided that they were going to carry their farewell tour themselves - choosing to perform each night for as long as possible without a support act - all that now seems to have changed. Today Delirious? have announced that they will share the stage for their final ever performances around the UK with a band from whom nobody has heard a whisper since 1996. Their name? The Cutting Edge Band."

"Made up of five eccentrically-hairstyled young men, The Cutting Edge Band made a name for itself back in the early nineties, despite only ever playing in sports halls and on village greens. Theirs was a raw, God-drenched message, one that shouted 'I'm Not Ashamed Of The Gospel' with undeniable force. Theirs was a delicate form of intimacy, one that talked about singing of God's love forever, of being found in the river, of obsessions and a sound that was louder than the radio."

Says Delirious? front man Martin Smith, "The Cutting Edge Band had something special about it. I remember the days clearly; there would be an atmosphere that you could cut with a knife as those evenings of abandoned worship bled into the night. There was a feeling that anything could happen, and most of the time it did."

With tracks like 'Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble', 'Lord You Have My Heart' and 'The Crucible For Silver' " not to mention 'The Happy Song' " The Cutting Edge Band built up a reputation as a group who had plenty to say, and a hundred different ways in which to say it.

But what about returning to the stage after such a long absence? How do they feel about it? Nobody from the band was available for comment, but when pressed Martin did have this to say: "They'll be fine. They might be a little rusty and nervous, but if you can get passed the bad hair and the weird clothes you'll find a band who laid the foundations for everything that Delirious went on to become. Without The Cutting Edge Band, Delirious simply would never have come into being. Having The Cutting Edge Band open for Delirious each night of our farewell tour makes perfect sense: it pays tribute to the past and lays the foundation of upfront worship that we were built on."

Delirious? will release 'History Makers: Greatest Hits' on 6th November. The album is now available for pre-order in both a standard CD version (£12.99) featuring 14 songs and a 'Limited Edition' version (£24.99) featuring 31 songs on 2 CDs as well as a 56 page booklet that charts the Delirious? journey and a DVD containing all 13 of the band's promo videos.

The bands final ever concert at London's Hammersmith Apollo has already sold out, but some tickets remain for the other dates.

24th November Tuesday - Belfast Waterfront, 2 Lanyon Place, Belfast, BT1 3WH
028 9033 4455 / www.waterfront.co.uk

25th November Wednesday - HMV Picture House, 31 Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH1 2DJ
0844 847 1740 / www.edinburgh-picturehouse.co.uk

26th November Thursday - O2 Academy Bristol, Frogmore Street, Bristol, BS1 5NA
0844 477 2000 / www.o2academybristol.co.uk - www.ticketweb.co.uk

27th November Friday - O2 Academy Birmingham, 16-18 Horsefair, Bristol Street, Birmingham, B1 1DB
0844 477 2000 / www.o2academybirmingham.co.uk - www.ticketweb.co.uk

28th November Saturday - O2 Academy Leeds, 55 Cookridge Street, Leeds, LS2 3AW
0844 477 2000 / www.o2academyleeds.co.uk - www.ticketweb.co.uk

29th November Sunday " SOLD OUT - HMV Hammersmith Apollo, Queen Caroline Street, W6 9QH