Rolling back the years – all way to the 90s
venues, wondering how things had happened so quickly.
“By then, we were never there,” says Penney. “Because of our success, we were never in Stourbridge. Stourbridge trundled on nicely without us.
“We’d come back and have the odd bizarre experience.
“You’d be drinking a pint and a coach would turn up and people would be doing a pilgrimage to Stourbridge.”
Fast forward to 2017 and both bands believe it feels right for them to join forces again. Miles Hunt says: “It’s time, really. “Randomly, when I checked social media, a guy was asking for the two bands to do a double-header.
“I’ve always known the audiences want it. The planets have aligned so why not? I think it’ll be great.
“I look out at our audience and they’re big lads, they’re about the 50 years old mark.
“Have they got the stamina for the two bands in one night? I guess we’ll find out soon enough.” Both bands will perform fulllength 75-minute sets.
Joining them is guest DJ, fellow Stourbridge resident Graham Crabb, from Pop Will Eat Itself.
“I’m less inclined to use the word hits because we had none, and I don’t know about best of ... so let’s call it ‘live favourites’,” said Penney. Hunt added: “I think there are a lot of people out there that have waited a long time to see the two bands together again.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Ned’s because they’ll give me a kick up the backside. “They’re such a great live band. “I’ve never seen them less than on it.” Tickets for the O2 Academy gig are on sale now.