An additional date has been added to the forthcoming 'Erasure Show' tour:

• 18 May 05 - Anaheim, CA The Grove of Anaheim
• Pre-sale is available via Ticketmaster
• Password is : Nightbird

For full details see the tour page.

All UK dates for 'The Erasure Show' have sold out.

The 9:30 Club (Washington, DC) is offering an Internet pre-sale for Erasure fans wishing to purchase tickets for the 2nd May performance.

The pre-sale is scheduled to run from 10.00am 2nd Feb until - 10.00am 3rd Feb.

To access the pre-sale you will need to go to this website.

The password that you will need is: loveboat

A second Erasure show at the Chicago Theatre has been confirmed for the 30th April 2005.

As before the Chicago Theatre are offering an exclusive internet ticket pre-sale for Erasure fans to enable them to purchase tickets before the general public.

The pre-sale begins at 10.00am Friday 28th Jan 05 and will end at 10.00pm on Monday 31st Jan 05.

The password that you will need is: loveisreal

Thank you to everyone that submitted personal stories for the forthcoming tour programme guide.

The closing date has now passed and entries are no longer being accepted. Those that have already been received have been passed onto the publishers.

Five more New York shows (at the Irving Plaza) have been added to the tour.

The additional dates are: 21st April, 22nd April, 24th April, 25th April and the 26th April.

Tickets will be on sale from the 27th Jan.

Please see the Tour page for *all* tour date details.

There is another internet pre-sale for tickets, this time for the Miami - Mansion performance.

The pre-sale will take place between 5pm Wed 26th Jan to 5pm Fri 28th Jan via Ticketmaster.

The password you will need is: breathe

Yes the wait is finally over - Nightbird is released today (or tomorrow for those in North America).

A Nightbird themed e-card is now available for you to send to friends.

The EIS Forum is running a poll to see what your favourite song from the album is - so vote now!

Photos From The G-A-Y DJ Night

It was a fun night - and there weren't too many silent gaps between the different tracks being played! The combination of flash photography and dry ice meant that it was very difficult to take any decent photos, but a few have been added to the gallery.

An additional Copenhagan date has been added to 'The Erasure Show' tour:

23/03/2005 - Denmark, Copenhagen Vega

Ticket are on sale from Monday Jan 24th at 10 AM via Billetlugen. See the tour page for full details.

The Chicago Theatre are offering an exclusive internet ticket pre-sale for Erasure fans for the forthcoming Erasure show that is to be held on Friday 29th April.

This pre-sale will enable fans to purchase tickets a day before the general public.

The time of the presale is: Friday 21st Jan, 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM Central Standard Time.

Click here for the internet link to purchase the tickets.

The password that you will need is: nightbird

Client will support Erasure on the forthcoming "The Erasure Show" tour at the following UK & European shows:

• Edinburgh (28th February)
• Glasgow (1st March)
• Newcastle (3rd March)
• London (5th March)
• Nottingham (7th March)
• Manchester (9th March)
• Bristol (14th March)
• Wolverhampton (16th March)
• Norwich (18th March)
• Cardiff (20th March)
• Copenhagen (24th March)
• Berlin (26th March)
• Cologne (28th March)
• Offenbach (29th March)
• Munich (31st March)

A preview of some of the songs that are to be performed on the forthcoming 'Erasure Show' tour have been listed here. The rest are to remain a surprise!

The reason why these are being revealed now is that the authors of the tour programme / guide book would like EIS members to write in with some comments of their favourite songs from the list.

They then plan to publish a selection of the comments in the tour programme. For example one could write about the first time you heard a particular song, what it means to you, if it helped you through a difficult time - that sort of thing.

Important

• The deadline for submissions is Wednesday 26th January 2005 12:00pm (GMT).
• Please include your full name (no forum aliases please).
• Submissions will only be accepted if they are sent via the 'Contact' section of the website, and you must select the correct subject from the drop down box.
• Please do not publish the above setlist on other websites / mailing lists / forums, but feel free to link to this page. Many fans do not wish to be informed of a tour setlist before seeing a performance.
• Only submissions from people that receive the EIS Update Emails will be accepted - the email address that you provide on the 'Contact' page must be currently registered with the EIS.

The North American release of Erasure's brand new single 'Breathe' is released tomorrow (18th January 2005). It features an exclusive Pete Heller mix that is not being released anywhere else.

1. Breathe - Radio Version
2. Breathe - Album Version
3. Gone Crazy
4. Mr. Gribber And His Amazing Cat
5. Breathe - Acoustic Version
6. Breathe - Pete Heller's Phela Mix*
7. Breathe - LMC Extended Club Mix
8. Breathe - When Andy Bell Met Manhattan Clique Extended Remix
9. Breathe - video (Enhanced CD Rom)

As well as being available from major record stores, it is available for purchase online from retailers such as Amazon.com.

The second week position for 'Breathe' in the UK singles chart is 14. Every new entry from the previous weeks charts has dropped, and Erasure was no exception.

However this second week position (as well as the first weeks) is far higher than Erasure's previous three singles (released 2003) as the figures below show.

There have been a number of changes to the North American tour dates / venues, these are summarised below:

For further details, see the tour page.

Nightbird Press Pictures

The full set of Nightbird promotional photos are now online.

Steve Walsh Interview

For those that have read the Nightbird Studio Diary and the list of credits on the releases of 'Breathe' and 'Nightbird', the name Steve Walsh appears frequently on each.

Late last year, Steve kindly agreed to be interviewed by the EIS to discuss his involvement on both of these projects, plus the yet to be released acoustic album. This interview has now been published online.

Video Captures

A selection of stills taken from the recent appearances by Erasure on 'Today With Des & Mel' and ''Top Of The Pops' have been added to the gallery.

TOTP - Behind The Scenes Photo

A picture featuring Andy and Vince taken in the 'Top Of The Pops' dressing room is also online.

Nightbird

"With their remarkable (and much-needed) comeback, Nightbird, Erasure's original (and only) two members, Andy Bell and Vince Clarke, show us what the group is truly capable of if they wear their heart out on their sequined sleeves.

The assured confidence and sophistication of songs like 'Here I Go Impossible Again' and 'Don't Say You Love Me' bring us back to the sugary-sweet time when 'Chains Of Love' asked us 'Do you remember once upon a time?'

Brimming with a youthful optimism (Bell and Clarke are both in their 40s), the first single, 'Breathe' shimmers with Bell's distinct falsetto and Clarke's three-dimensional production. The song is, hell, downright moving." - CMJ.com

Nightbird

"...It's an album without a dud song, which makes a refreshing change to the many albums which rely on big hits to overlook the poorer filler tracks...." - NTL Insider

Nightbird

"They've become such a feature of the Britpop pantomime department, it's easy to forget that Erasure were once trailblazers. Their boldly outrageous, hilariously camp frontman Andy Bell was a sexually-liberated figure long before others took the plunge.

Vince Clarke's masterfully constructed electropop backing tracks were undoubtedly an influence on a whole generation of music makers in the UK and across the globe. The spoils of their success are certainly impressive. Now celebrating their 20th anniversary, they've sold 25 million albums and had 16 hit singles.

Bell's flamboyant performances and swooning signature tunes have continued despite health difficulties. Although it was only revealed last month, he has been HIV positive since June 1998. He's recently recovered from a hip replacement operation after drugs taken to combat pneumonia caused blood to dry in his thighbones.

Bell's illness may explain the sluggish nature of recent Erasure albums. Their last outing, the cover versions project Other People's Songs, suggested they'd reached an artistic cul de sac. So Nightbird should come as a reassuring pick-me-up for fans.

As with recent releases by U2 and Embrace, this is where Erasure reclaim their core strengths, packing the record with swooning love songs, upbeat disco treats, symphonic flights of fancy and tender endearments.

Despite continuing treatment, Bell says that he's never felt better, and Clarke's recent move to New York has evidently recharged his creative batteries. The pair may be one of the most mismatched odd couples in pop, but their chemistry here - whether on the intimate Breathe or the va-va-voom eroticism of Don't Say You Love Me - is as strong as ever.

Since he left Depeche Mode in the early 1980s, Clarke has become a shrewd synthesiser maestro. Bell has proved to be a splendid accomplice for his melodic adventures. Covering a range of emotions from the exuberant to the reflective, Nightbird is an eloquent achievement - two frontline show business troopers showing they haven't lost their hunger or intelligence." - Mirror

Breathe

"...Slow burning catchy electro soul track full of melodic lift..." - DeejayOne

Nightbird

"...Old-school Erasure fans will be swept up by Nightbird,the band's first original studio album in more than four years.

A throwback to the duo's roots, the disc marks the 20th anniversary of the synth-pop pioneers, with cuts like first single "Breathe" boasting plenty of their signature mix of jovial electronic rhythms and melancholy vocals. So-so songs like "No Doubt" dawdle a bit, but composed of more hits than misses, Nightbird soars..." - Entertainment Weekly

Nightbird

"...During the past 15 years, Erasure has evolved from innovative to campy to redundant to weary to refreshingly retro - remarkably, all without ever really changing its sound.

The duo of Vince Clarke and Andy Bell return with its best album in years, "Nightbird" (due Jan. 25), which is more inspired and melodic than any effort in recent memory.

First single "Breathe" perfectly personifies the pair's signature: carefree, synthesizer beats; a one-listen out-of-the-ballpark hook; and the warm, rich tones of singer Bell.

Commercially available remixes thankfully maintain the integrity of the track while turning up the beats (along with a breathtaking acoustic mix) - but it's the radio version that is destined to be embraced by the thousands who remember when, fondly and indelibly. Utterly hypnotic...." - Billboard

Nightbird

"...From the europop opening of No Doubt, complete with a showcase of Andy Bell's familiar and extensive vocal range, the good news is that if Loveboat was experimental, Nightbird puts pop melodies right back in the vanguard of the mix..." - musicOMH

Nightbird

...On the whole, it's great to welcome back the swoonful pop genius of Erasure. Nightbird is an utterly charming record that should give those younger pop pretenders, the Scissor Sisters, a decent run for their money... - Belfast Telegraph Digital

Nightbird

"...They sound as fresh as they did 20 years ago..." - Dallas Voice

Breathe made number one in the official Danish single chart - great news!

Erasure will be performing 'Breathe' live on Top Of The Pops this week.

• Friday 14th January, 7.30pm - BBC1
• Sunday 16th January, 1.15am - BBC1 (repeat)

BBC1 can be received in Europe via those that have dishes pointed at the Astra (28.2' East) satellite.

The UK edition of 'Top Of The Pops' is also shown on the Canadian channel BBC Kids, and usually on BBC Prime which is available in Africa, America, Asia and Europe. The schedules for BBC Prime vary in each territory, so please check out the BBC website for schedule information.

The BBC America channel has ceased showing Top Of The Pops.

Irving Plaza (NYC) Tickets

The tickets for the five Irving Plaza (NYC) gigs will go on sale onthe 14th Jan at noon.

Prices are $40 (US Dollars) in advance, $50 on day of show.

Tickets are available from the Irving Plaza box office, Ticketmaster.com or charge by phone 212-307-7171.

The Independent (San Francisco) Tickets + Extra Dates

The tickets for the five shows at 'The Independent' (yes - two more dates have been added!) go on sale 16th Jan at 10am (PST) and are $35 (US Dollars).

See the tour page for futher details

Borders in North America are offering special giveaways and collectibles from the band and an opportunity to register for a chance to win an autographed Erasure item when you pick up your copy of 'Nightbird' at Borders (specially priced at $11.99).

The following stores are taking part in this promotion:

• 7pm Tues (25 Jan) - Borders 2817 North Clark Street, Chicago
• 7pm Tues (25 Jan) - Borders 50 S. Main Street #78, Salt Lake City
• 7pm Tues (25 Jan) - Borders 2110 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach
• 7pm Weds (26 Jan) - Borders 2240 E Sunrise Blvd, Ft. Lauderdale
• 7pm Tues (1 Feb) - Borders 10 Columbus Circle, New York
• 7pm Fri (4 Feb) - Borders 400 Post Street, San Francisco

Further details are on the Borders website (click on the 'Events' option).

The EIS gallery has been updated with the Nightbird press photos by Dirk Lindner.

A clip from "Let's Take One More Rocket To The Moon" has been added to the Nightbird page.

A number of pictures taken at the Des & Mel recording (of the band rehearsing) are now available within the gallery.

The Belfast Telegraph website has an interesting article titled "Erasure: A problem of image" by Chris Mugan.

An article in which Andy discusses his forthcoming solo album has been published on the Arjan Writes site. The beginning of the article is quoted below:

"I just got off the phone with Andy Bell from synth pop duo Erasure who gave me the full scoop on his upcoming solo album. The singer is currently putting the final touches on the record, which should drop late 2005 or early 2006. Working title for the CD is "Manhattan Clique" and Andy revealed the disc will most likely feature a duet with Scissor Sister Jake Shears."

'Breathe' is the #1 Breakout on the US Billboard Club Play Chart for the week of January 22nd

The Digimpro software supplied on CD2 of 'Breathe' (that allows you to create your own mix of Breathe) is only compatible with Windows based PC's.

However Rupert from Digimpro has posted on the EIS Forum the following statement:

"We are working our little socks off to have a Mac version, which in due course will be available as a free download (so hold on to your Breathe CD2!)."

A number of Erasure albums are now available on iTunes

• Chorus (UK / Europe)
• The Circus (UK / Europe)
• Erasure (UK / Europe)
• I Say I Say I Say (US, Canada)
• The Innocents (US, Canada)
• Other Peoples Songs (UK / Europe)
• POP! The First 20 Hits (UK / Europe, US, Canada)
• Wild! (UK / Europe)
• Wonderland (UK / Europe)
• Breathe (Radio Version) is also available on the UK / European iTunes stores.

Congratulations! 'Breathe' is in the Official UK Chart at number 4!

This is an amazing result - and the highest chart placing since 'Always' back in 1994.

I can't think of a better way of starting the year off for Erasure - many thanks to all you guys that have supported this release!!!!!

Starting from the 11th of January, 'Nightbird' parties are being organised to celebrate the forthcoming release of the new album:

There will be a celebration on 21st Jan at 'Romo Night', Gothenburg - Sweden, to celebrate the release of the new album.

There will be some giveaways, a quiz and some Erasure DJing by Johan Billing.

Thanks to Johan for the information.

Andy will be interviewed on 'The Arts Show' on Friday 7/Jan/05 at 18.10 (GMT) on BBC Radio Scotland.

The interview will be broadcast on FM and online only (and can be listened to again for the next seven days online).

Andy will be a guest reviewer on BBC6 Music's music review show 'Roundtable' on Friday 7th Jan at 18:00 - 19:00 (GMT).

BBC 6 Music can be heard via these various methods:

• BBCi Website
• Freeview (Channel 77)
• Sky Digital (Channel 870)
• Telewest Digital Cable (Channel 909)
• NTL Digital Cable (Channel 865)
• DAB Digital Radio

Many of you have been creating your own mixes of 'Breathe' by using the mixing software that is present on CD2 of the 'Breathe' single.

If you would like your creation to be made available online for others to hear via the EIS website then feel free to email your MP3's in or provide a link to where it can be downloaded.

Please include the name of your mix and to whom it should be credited to.

There are some further reviews / interviews on these sites:

Billboard, Yahoo / Reuters (same article as the previous link), Indie London and Planet Out.

Plus South West London's Radio Jackie (107.8FM) have added Breathe (The LMC Radio Edit) to their 'A' list this week.

There are two 'Nightbird' release parties coming up in Germany later this month:

• München - Scala - Ottobrun/Am Bogen 33, 21/Jan/05, 22 Uhr
• Hamburg - Cult - Große Freiheit 2, 21/Jan/05, 23 Uhr

For further details check out the erasure.de website.

A clip of the Peter Heller mix (which will be on the US maxi-single release of 'Breathe') can now be heard online within the releases section.

A 'Breathe' E-Card is now available.

Simply fill in the details on the 'send to a friend' section - and an email will be forwarded to people directing them to the micro site to enable them to hear a clip of 'Breathe' and watch the video.

A US centric one (tailored for the maxi-single) will be online shortly.

EMI have been having stock problems in Belfast, which is why some people may have been unable to purchase 'Breathe'. Well the problem is currently being resolved and the Virgin store in Belfast received their stock today (Wednesday) and have put it out on the shelves.

If any other people have encountered stock problems in their local stores then please inform the EIS.

The current midweek chart position for 'Breathe' in the UK is number four, which is excellent!

Remember if you haven't yet purchased Breathe, then make sure that you do so this week so that it counts for this Sundays chart.

A brief video clip of Andy, Ann-Marie and Val which was recorded at the video shoot for 'Breathe' is now available for your viewing pleasure!