STARSAILOR singer James Walsh said he can't wait to headline a "legendary" St Helens venue where he envied bands playing growing up.
Forming at Wigan and Leigh College in the early noughties, Starsailor were named 'Best New Band in Britain' by the NME in 2001, and gathered a huge fanbase with hits such as 'Four to the Floor' and 'Silence is Easy'.
It was the "historic" Citadel theatre that always eluded the band in their early days however, with James and the band envious of their peers securing support slots at the 160-year-old building.
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After a difficult period for the Citadel, with knock-on effects from covid and the cost of living crisis ending a five-year lease with MD Creatives in September, it is James' first gig at the venue that will mark its re-opening this weekend.
With Starsailor classics planned in amongst James' solo work, his acoustic gig will take place on Friday, December 2.
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James, who now balances touring with a young family, said: "It's really great to see the Citadel back on its feet and open again as it was always seen as a legendary venue when we were growing up.
"It's my first time playing there so I'm really excited about it, and I think it's a venue that is particularly suited to my kind of acoustic songs."
While Starsailor tours renowned music venues across the country, as they did with their rescheduled 'Love is Here' twentieth anniversary tour this year, it's buildings like the Citadel that can give musicians more connection to the fans, James says.
He added: "With Starsailor, we are more likely to play in cities where you get back in the tour bus straight after the gig.
"But I've been lucky enough to play off the beaten track and I find there is more of a community feel with these smaller gigs and that little bit more connection, where you can stick around and speak to the fans."
With a couple more gigs planned for the rest of the year, James is preparing for a busy year in 2023 with a new solo album as well as a Starsailor album and another anniversary tour.
At the Citadel, his gig will be immediately followed up with popular Oasis tribute band 'Definitely Oasis' on Saturday night.
Regarded as one of the best Oasis tributes, the musicians will bring the party to St Helens as they celebrate almost ten years in the band.
For tickets for James Walsh's Citadel gig, you can buy tickets here.
Definitely Oasis tickets can be found at this link while more information can be found on the Citadel's Facebook page here.
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