After much speculation, a date for the diaries; The Modified Toy Orchestra will revisit Birmingham Town Hall on Wednesday 8th September 2010. This will be the official launch opportunity for the second album, Plastic Planet *. More UK gigs will follow throughout the Autumn at venues yet to be confirmed.

Watching the mto triumph at the Town Hall 3 years ago (as part of the venue re-opening celebrations) was a real highlight for me – and an introduction to much of the material which will be released on Plastic Planet *. Now an opportunity for me to join the band in gracing a stage previously trod by Elgar, Dickens, Beatles and Stones.

My dad chose to spend his apprenticeship wage on a Town Hall ticket for Muddy Waters rather than Buddy Holly, and he was also present at the now infamous “GO HOME DIRTY BOPPER!” gig in the late 50’s – when Humphrey Lyttleton’s substituted a sax in place of clarinet, whipping the Trad mob into a banner-wielding rage. The Town Hall has a history of public protest: Dylan’s electro make-over might’ve got a similar pasting from the crowd, though the Band’s well-documented Manchester gig is best remembered.

With any luck, there’ll be more fuss and holler when Barbie’s bottom-end starts rattling the stucco cornicing.

More when details become available…

(* Up until now I’ve been incorrectly calling the new album Earth One, which is in-fact the name of the limited-edition demo, released for last year’s visit to Hong Kong. )