FURTHER INFORMATION

As you know, due to Transport for London’s insensitive handling of the notice period for closure of the beloved Astoria, Mike & Claire and the Manumission team have had to withdraw as hosts for the Closing Party at the Astoria on 15th January.

We would like to thank anyone who has bought tickets for this unique event and to ask that they contact the organisation they purchased them from for a full refund.

We will be in touch again soon to announce a new venue for the ‘Manumission Hits London’ Celebrations!!!  See you there….

Oh, and to receive all the latest news and gossip on the next Manumission show before anyone else, please email contact@manumission.com  and you’ll be added to our ‘priority mailing list’

Watch this space……

But sadly it was not to be… it was a race against time from the start. Transport for London, who are demolishing the venue to make way for the Crossrail, served 28 days notice to vacate on19th December 2008 which was the day the world’s entertainment industry took two full weeks out effectively for Christmas and New Year.

Undeterred, Manumission and their management team gave it their all to put together a fitting farewell night for 15th January. The ‘wish list’ line up was a who’s who of Rock but although many were keen to pay tribute to the Astoria, few were able to make the date due to the short notice. During this key promotional period TFL re-served the writ demanding keys to the venue be returned on 16th January, and then two days later extended it again by which time the organizers had lost almost all of the major names they had invited to perform. There was a final massive push from Manumission’s management to secure a big name artist who could make the night and would have kept the event in line with original plans to make it a star studded charity celebration. With the whole enterprise already struggling against the clock and the authorities, the dream, so nearly a reality, began to slip away. Despite round the clock efforts from all parties, it was proving impossible to honour the Astoria with the glittering line up they planned.

This was always to have been an ‘all or nothing’ event, the Wildest Party Ever, with a Roll Call of the most exciting names in Rock mingling with Manumission’s finest and the ringmasters, Mike and Claire refused to lower their standards. Faced with being unable to put this night on as promised because of constraints put upon them by spiralling events the decision was reluctantly taken by Manumission management and team to pull out.

QUOTE FROM MIKE AND CLAIRE

“It is ridiculous that such an important venue is being demolished for ‘economic progress’.  It can never be replaced. We wanted to give The Astoria the send off it deserves, we feel saddened and disappointed by the decision made to pull what could have been an amazing event, especially in these troubled times.”

To honour the monumental efforts made by all, Manumission would like to thank the following… Kasabian, Foo Fighters, Kaiser Chiefs, Babyshambles, Primal Scream, Status Quo, Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, Damon Albarn, Tom Middleton, Eddy Temple Morris, Rob the Bank, Matt Bates and all at Primary Talent and the whole host of people who really, really, really wanted to Say Good Bye Astoria, We Love You!!!

We would also like to say ‘Brilliant, Cheers and Good One’, to Get Cape Wear Cape Fly and the organizers of the event announced today for the 14th January. We are glad that the press interest their efforts generated has brought massive attention to the fact that this beloved venue was to be laid to rest without a party, and wish them every success with their event.  The Astoria will have a send off after all…..

Manumission were to have kicked off their World Tour with this date leaving Ibiza for their 15th birthday and their first visit to London.  They are expected to announce more dates on this over the next few weeks and intend to visit London for a very, very special appearance later this year so as not to disappoint their fans.

For the first time ever Manumission will be hitting London and literally tearing the house down in the last ever party to be held at The Legendary Astoria. Thursday the 15th of January 2009 will be remembered as one of the wildest parties the world has ever seen. An historic moment for hedonism as Manumission leaves Ibiza and returns to England for the first time in 15 years before heading off on their Spectacular World Tour. A Carnival of Cabaret, seduction of the senses, freedom of self-expression and sheer fabulousness in this strictly Costume Ball led by the ring masters, Mike & Claire.

The Manumission World tour will be coming soon to a city near you.

Manumissions Travels will see the full cast and crew hit the road in a world tour unlike anything seen since the days of Barnum and Bailey. The excitement and anticipation of Manumission coming to town will rival that of getting on a plane for your first trip to Ibiza. The original and sometimes sensational show will send shockwaves around the world. Never before has the full Manumission spectacular been seen on the World stage.

With the Manumission sound bought to you by their favorite DJ’s including Lottie, Mylo, Paulette & 2 Many DJ’s as well as super stars such as Fatboy Slim and Paul Oakenfold providing the dirty disco beats and Reverend and The Makers providing the throbbing live element. The Manumission Evolution will keep their ever-hungry audiences suspended in a state of disbelief. North America… South America… Japan… Australia… Spain… France… Germany… The United Kingdom… Hosting tents in the best festivals around the globe and throwing parties in the wildest venues…