EPK

THIS PAGE ENDEAVOURS TO PROVIDE ALL THE ELECTRONIC PRESS KIT RESOURCES THAT A PROMOTER WILL NEED

If you need any further information please contact us. Colin Davies – Email: colin@shadesofsimon.com Phone: 07931 362792

To share this page you can use the direct url – https://shadesofsimon.com/epk/

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LOGO

Band logo for use in publicity. Resizable image comprising shadow of Paul Simon’s face with Shades of Simon in graduated text. Size 2274 x 931 pixels 602kb jpg

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DESCRIPTIVE TEXT FOR USE IN PROGRAMMES

Shades of Simon, the UK’s most authentic sounding Paul Simon tribute band, present their highly acclaimed 2 hour theatre show in tribute to Paul Simon as one of the best songwriters and performers of his generation. With an engaging narration, exceptional musicianship and authentic renditions of the best of his songs from his time with Simon & Garfunkel in the 60’s through to his Graceland tour in the 80’s, this is a show that appeals to all generations…

Although the folk duo Simon & Garfunkel only performed together for a comparitively short period between 1963-1970 they have sold over 100 million records and their iconic songs like The Sound of Silence, Mrs Robinson, The Boxer and Bridge Over Troubled Water have become standards enduring the test of time. As artistes Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel had a stormy relationship and both pursued separate careers following their premature breakup. Although Art Garfunkel is renowned for his incredible vocal range it was Paul Simon who was the mastermind behind the writing of their songs and he continued to pursue a highly successful songwriting and solo career right through to his retirement from touring in 2018 at the age of 76. In 2026 at the age of 84 he embarked on a 50+ ‘Quiet Celebration’ tour of the USA and Europe.

Shades of Simon are a band of musicians with a lifetime of experience who love the music of Paul Simon and who have been brought together for the specific project of creating a theatre show to celebrate the story of his life, incorporating a narrative and authentic performances of the best and most memorable songs of his 60+ year career, from solo acoustic through to full productions as a 5-piece band. Featuring Colin Davies (vocals, acoustic guitar & keyboards), Paul Bleach (piano & vocals), Kelvin Ward (bass guitar), John Austin (electric guitar), Dave Johns (drums & percussion).

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STRAPLINE

An outstanding 5-piece band presenting the story and authentic sound of the songs of Paul Simon.

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TEXT FOR USE IN PUBLICITY

(Adapt as appropriate for your venue.)

The hugely popular folk-rock band ‘Shades of Simon’ are returning to the ????? theatre in ???date??? with their highly acclaimed show ‘the Paul Simon Story’.

Performed in tribute to Paul Simon as one of best songwriters of his generation it blends an engaging narration with authentic renditions of the best of his songs from his time in Simon & Garfunkel in the 60’s (Homeward Bound, Sound of Silence, Bridge over troubled water etc) through to his Graceland tour in the 1980’s (Still Crazy after all these years, You can call me Al). ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

WEBSITE URL

www.shadesofsimon.com

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TYPE OF GIGS

The band’s show is designed primarily for theatre audiences and can include a supporting slide show. The full show comprises 2 x 60 minute spots. A shortened version of the show can be performed as a 1 x 60 minute spot. Adaptations of the show can be performed at music festivals, picnic concerts, clubs, as after dinner entertainment, and at other types of event.

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REVIEWS

Read genuine unsolicited reviews on the band submitted by past audiences.
VIEW

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REFERENCES

Knebworth House, Hertfordshire. Trish Washer, House Operations Manager. Email: twasher@knebworthhouse.com

National Trust Flatford Mill, Suffolk. Simon Peachey, Site Manager. Email: Simon.Peachey@nationaltrust.org.uk

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PUBLICITY

We will advertise the event on our website and third party What’s On websites. We will also advertise extensively on FaceBook and to fans via our mailing list. We can also supply 500 A5 flyers and 10 A4 posters on request. We expect the venue to similarly advertise the event using their existing channels.

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BAND PHOTOS

These are our preferred publicity photos. But more photos can be found in the ”Photos’ section of the website – view

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BAND MEMBERS AND BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS

VIEW

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DEMO AUDIO

We have created a showreel with snippets of some of the band’s songs to give you an idea of what we sound like! Play through hi-fi speakers or headphones for truly representative results.

LISTEN

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We have put together a promotional video of the band playing live on stage.

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VIDEO LIVE ON STAGE

Here are a couple of videos for illustrative purposes taken by members of our audiences of us live on stage.

The Only Living Boy in New York

Bookends – Old Friends – Overs medley

Graceland

(Videos may be enlarged to full screen)

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BROADCAST QUALITY DOWNLOAD

This is a live recording of the band playing “You Can Call Me Al” at Ingatestone Hall in July 2022. High quality stereo mp3 file, sample rate 44.1kHz, file size 7.3MB, playing time 5mins 5secs. (Right click on audio bar for download options.) Original composed & performed by Paul Simon 1986 PRS © Sony.

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PERFORMANCE SETLISTS

Examples of our typical setlists –

Songs in italics are performed solo or as a duo; all others feature the full 5-piece band.

2 x 65 minute sets

Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard | Mother and Child Reunion | American Tune | One Man’s ceiling is another man’s floor | Kodachrome | April Come She Will | I am a Rock | 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover | Slip Sliding Away | Still Crazy After All these Years | Let in the Evening | Under African Skies | The Boy in the Bubble | Graceland | You Can Call Me Al || Diamonds on the soles of her shoes | Cecilia

A setlist with all the information required for a PRS live performance royalties report will be provided straight after the show.

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TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

Details of our technical requirements can be viewed and downloaded here. view

We will normally bring our own Sound Engineer with us, either to set up and operate our own PA system or to liaise with the venue’s in-house technicians.

Our preferred option is for us to use our own microphones, DI boxes, stage boxes and monitor system via our own mixer (and operator), which then presents a 2 channel / stereo feed into the venue’s house PA system. We bring all necessary equipment and cabling. In the absence of a house PA system we can bring our own 3Kw full PA system with amplifier, speakers and subs, by arrangement.

A copy set list will be provided with prompts for the sound and lighting operators as necessary.

For theatres with video projection facilities our show can be augmented with slides on a Keynote / Powerpoint presentation.

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STAGE PLAN

Stage plan showing layout and position of instruments on stage. download pdf

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STAGE DRESS

The band dress smartly on stage with a red & black colour theme.

A secure dressing room should be made available in which the band may change before and after the show. A supply of drinking water, clothes rail, seating and a separate WC is appreciated.

_{Please note: to be expected to change in the toilets is not an acceptable option!}

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HOSPITALITY REQUIREMENTS

The band do not expect any specific hospitality provisions to be made for them.

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PARKING REQUIREMENTS

It is essential that provision is made for the band to unload heavy equipment at the venue and to then park up to 6 cars nearby during the performance.

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ARRIVAL TIME

By default the band will aim to arrive at least 3 hours before the show, and earlier if access is possible.

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SETUP TIME

The band need a minimum of 2 hours within which to unload and set up their stage equipment, and a further 30 minutes within which to do a sound check and get changed.

At outdoor concerts where the band are providing their own stage, their contractors will need an additional 90 minutes to set up the stage structure beforehand.

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ADVANCE TICKET SALES

The band have the facility to manage advance ticket sales via their website using TicketSource. This can be agreed to be either by the band processing credit card payments and issuing electronic tickets, or simply displaying a link from the band’s website to the venue’s own box-office ticketing system.

There are many advantages in using the Band’s own box office as they can closely monitor ticket sales and implement promotions as necessary to increase ticket sales.

Where the band are managing the box office they will also deploy members of the Band Support Crew to scan tickets on the door/ gate.

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BAND MERCHANDISE

The band may wish to sell their own merchandise (eg: CDs) at the venue immediately before, during and after the performance. Note: We are not currently selling merchandise.

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BAND SUPPORT CREW

The band have their own support crew to assist with tasks both front of house and backstage. All members of the crew wear ID badges for identification. Badges can be verified here.

At large outdoor concerts the crew may utilise 2-way radios on the 446Mhz waveband for communications across the site. Radios are normally set to channel 4 (446.04375MHz) CCTCS 01.

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PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE

We hold Public Liability Insurance in the sum of £10M with the Alliance of Musicians and Performers. You can verify the insurance by clicking here

Similarly, all our electrical equipment is regularly PAT tested and marked accordingly.

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FEES

We do not use an Agency to represent us and negotiate the fee for each gig or theatre show direct with the venue. This may be on the basis of a fixed fee, venue hire or a percentage of ticket sales.

The band is not VAT registered.

A lot depends on the type and size of venue and where it is, so do please talk to us – we will always try to reach an agreement!

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CONTRACTS

Confirmation of a booking may be by means of an exchange of emails or a simple contract along the lines of those produced by the Musicians Union.

Link to Musicians Union contract templates

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TRAVEL DISTANCE

The band particularly welcome gigs within approx 75 miles of our home town of Chelmsford Essex UK. As a guide this includes all of East Anglia, the South East of England and the Home Counties. Further afield necessitating an overnight stay is by negotiation.

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EMERGENCY CONTACT

If you need to contact the band urgently on the day of a gig, please phone Colin Davies on his mobile 07931 362792.

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