Love and loyalty _{by Madelaine Empson}

“Everyone in the world knows that your country is a living beauty”, Wendy James exclaims when I ask her about her most vivid memories of Wellington. “I have the strangest recollection of going go-karting when I was there last, but really the overall memory was the privilege to visit New Zealand and in such a manner that people took me, and the music, to their hearts.”

For the first time in 35 years, James and her British pop rock band Transvision Vamp are touring down under, playing their nostalgia-filled favourites – “the songs that started my whole musical journey” – at Meow Nui on Friday the 27^th of February.

Sitting in the kaleidoscopic intersection of brash punk and commercial pop, Transvision Vamp quickly rose to fame in the late 80s with hits like Baby I Don’t Care, Revolution Baby, I Want Your Love, The Only One, and If Looks Could Kill. All these and more – every single one of your favourites from across all three albums – James promises to perform.

“It has been such a pleasure to sing these songs again and in such a musical environment”, she says, referring to rehearsals with her world-class band of Alex Ward (guitar), Pip Stakem (guitar), Dave Parsons (bass), Matt Millership (keyboards), and James Sclavunos (drums). “But let me tell you… so many lyrics to (re)learn! Omg!”

Thrilled to be returning and hoping to “repay the long-held loyalties and love with three amazing shows across your country,” James says it is her intention – and the intention of all the musicians – to “leave every single audience member shell shocked with the knowledge they’ve just been part of one of the best gigs they will ever see in their lives”.