Seminal shoegazers Lush to reform

Lush Reform

Lush officially called it a day in 1998 but have not played live since 1996

Ever since Slowdive kick-started a trend last year it seems seminal bands associated with shoegaze just can’t help but crawl out of the woodwork. The latest such reformation comes in the form of Lush. The band, most famous for their upbeat, reverb drenched singles like Sweetness and Light, Single Girl and the britpop crossover Ladykillers, stopped playing shows in 1996 after the tragic, untimely death of drummer Chris Acland. They officially announced their split in 1998.

After dropping hints on Twitter last week and the arrival of a plush new website for the band it’s now been officially confirmed that they will be getting back together as a four piece next May for a gig at London’s Roundhouse.

Before all that though, their long term label 4AD are planning a few goodies for those not familiar with the band (not forgetting those who feel the need to compulsively collect their material of course). They will reissue Lush’s best of album Ciao in November which will be followed by a box set, called Chorus, containing the band’s first compilation Gala, their three studio albums, B-sides collection Topolino, and more Lush related rarities.

The band’s singer Miki Berenyi has issued a statement about the reformation: “The opportunities and practicalities of reforming Lush meant that for 20 years it was an impossible undertaking but we all loved what we did, and the time is finally right for us to do it again.”

You can see Lush doing what they love once again at London’s Roundhouse in May next year. The original line-up of duel guitar and vocalists Miki Berenyi and Emma Anderson and guitarist Phil King will be joined by Elastica’s Justine Welch on drums. More information on the upcoming adventures of Lush will follow soon, in the meantime revisit their brilliant video for Ladykillers in the player below.

UPDATE: Lush have now announced a second show at London’s Roundhouse after a swift sellout of the first round. Grab a ticket (while you can) here.