As well as the other dates announced this week, the boys will be playing their annual Christmas bash this year at the epicentre of all things Amsterdam, that is the Borderline club in Central London, the scene of a hundred-and-one fabulous nights.

The gig is on Saturday 2 December and a Christmas shopping weekend in London for any discerning Amsterdamster is a must. Plus there will be the post-show Christmas party with the boys to contend with!

Ticket are on sale now from www.ticketweb.co.uk and www.seetickets.com.

Amsterdam are preparing to hit the recording studio in a farm near Bath to start work on the follow up to The Journey. The boys will begin in the last week of October and are currently demoing up new tunes in Liverpool.

Most long-term Amsterdam fans are aware that The Journey was actually a compilation of the two previous ‘internet only’ albums and the beginnings of a third internet album so the boys are very excited to be going in to do a full, proper album for the first time in a while.

“This one will sound more like a cohesive record, more like a whole statement. We’re going to encrypt each copy with special magic to stop people skipping songs on their iPods” said Ian.

Also the boys are out over Autumn playing some dates, with more to be announced soon. Confirmed so far are:

Liverpool – Carling Academy – Saturday 14 October

Belfast – Valfest St.Galls GAA – Saturday 21 October (Ian acoustic show)

Liverpool – St Georges Hall – Monday 6 November (Closed show for 2008 Culture company)

Scarborough – Vivaz Club – Friday 15 December

Portsmouth – Wedgewood Rooms – Thursday 21 December (Joe Strummer tribute with The Neville Staple Band from the Specials)

Ian will be performing an acoustic slot this weekend at the Hope Street festival in Liverpool. There will be FREE entertainment all along the street that connects Liverpools two catherdrals all day long on Sunday 17 September.

Ian will be playing a 45-minute set upstairs at the Rodewald Suite inside the actual Philharmonic Hall, NOT the Philharmonic pub as previously reported. The entrance is via Sugnall Street.

The show will still begin at about 2:15pm and our man promises three or four brand new songs as well as some old favourites rarely heard.

All sorts of activities will be taking place for the people of the city on Hope street from 11:00am until 5:00pm so feel free to come along if you’re in the area. More info is available at
www.hopestreetfestival.com.

Also the Amsterdam can confirm that The Missin’ Beats and brilliant new band The Real Kicks will be supporting the boys at the Carling Academy in October. Tickets are already avaialble from www.seetickets.com and www.ticketweb.co.uk.

Amsterdam stole the show yet again at this years Mathew Street festival. The boys drew the biggest crowd to the Pier Head south stage of any band at the three-day event and unleashed a 55-minute set upon an adoring audience.

Amsterdam were joined onstage by violinist Anna Jenkins and singer Laura Critchely for some of the songs. The set list was:

Intro
The Journey
The Gangster
Class war in the Bedroom
Raid the Palace
Glorious Day
Love Phenomenon
Joe’s Kiss (with intro)
Megalomania
Takin on the World
Does this train stop on Merseyside?
You’re a phoney
Intro
Town called Malice

The boys next show will be at the Carling Academy in Liverpool on Saturday 14 October. A blistering night of new and classic Amsterdam songs is promised. You can already buy your tickets from www.seetickets.com and www.ticketweb.co.uk.

Thanks to CJ for all the great pictures from Monday’s Mathew Street show – you can view them in the forum.

And don’t forget to read Ian’s gig diaries for the recent shows.