More and more gigs!

It seems we have a quite exciting Autumn ahead!

From This is Dorset:
ROCK bad boy Pete Doherty was in Boscombe on Tuesday night in what appeared to be a major effort to scrub up his public image. Pete had travelled from his home near Marlborough, Wiltshire, to check out the revamped Opera House where he plans to perform solo with a bunch of variety acts on September 24. He had come at the invitation of Dorset Music Forum (DMF) with whom he plans to give a high profile support slot to a local musician/band/act.
DMF president Chris Jenkins said: "Pete has been impressed by the work we do - as a not-for-profit-organisation that aims to provide a platform for local musicians, bands and promoters - and he says it's about time he put something back at grass root level."
Arriving fashionably late (90 minutes), looking pale and unsteady on his feet, the former Libertines singer/songwriter who now fronts Babyshambles, posed with a pint and his guitar and told me: "I hope there's plenty of talent out there."
He had good vibes about the town recalling: "I first picked up a guitar living in Bournemouth. I did ad hoc stuff with Emily Baker - because I fancied her like mad. I was 11. We went to St Leonard's School in Blandford. My dad was in the forces and it was my first time living in England.
"Emily played drums and there was a lad called Gommy. I wrote my first song then called Billy the Hamster, which was diabolical!"
Despite refusing to play it, after some gentle arm-bending Pete picked up his guitar and sang it! It was a tale about wanting a pet and ending with a hamster that got electrocuted!
“I’m looking for a bit of variety – something with a bit of spark – something different.”
Perched on the edge of the Opera House stage he gazed round and in his softly spoken voice said: "It's quite burlesque here. I'm really looking forward to this and performing solo."
As for the support act he said: "I'm looking for a bit of variety - something with a bit of spark - something different."
He said he would consider any kind of variety act: "I'm a massive Tony Hancock fan - he grew up here. I've got a comedian and a few surprises - maybe I need some burlesque rock."
So was this move to give an aspiring act a break an effort to clean up his public image?
"I'd have to go a bit better than this to change the Pete Doherty caricature, which is not the real me. My name's Peter for a start. If people read these things in the tabloid press God bless and help them."
Had he any plans for the year ahead other than working on recording his solo album?
"Yes, to have my own column in the Daily Echo I used to deliver local papers so that's a start!"
Those interested in supporting Pete Doherty should contact the Opera House or email pete@dorsetmusic.com, sending details of their MySpace pages or websites, or to send mp3 recordings of their music.

(A few beautiful photos of Tuesday's event can be seen here).

Dirty Pretty Things have added more Irish dates to their Autumn tour.
Here's the updated list:

September

22 Concorde 2, Brighton
27 Middlesbrough Arena

October
04 ABC, Glasgow
05 Old Picture House, Edinburgh
07 Academy 2, Manchester
08 Metropolitan University, Leeds
09 Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton
11 Keele University, Newcastle
12 The Junction, Cambridge
13 UEA, Norwich
14 Roundhouse, London
16 Carling Academy, Oxford
18 Guildhall, Southampton
23 Hertfordshire University

November
02 Belfast Mandela Hall
03 Dublin Academy
05 Cork Cyprus Avenue
06 Wicklow Greystones Theatre
07 Galway Roisin Dubh

For more info go to DPT's official site.