1998
The "Heads and Tails" tour was a joint-headline UK and Ireland run with Spear of Destiny, running 20 April to 3 May, and introduced a new Hugh Cornwell Band line-up: Hugh and Mike Polson were joined by bassist Michelle Marti and drummer Justin Chapman. *Nosferatu* was remastered and reissued by Eastworld Recordings on 27 April (EWO001CD), with the instrumental version of Losers In A Lost Land and new artwork by Hugh. The 1 May Manchester show was recorded and later released as *Mayday* (1999). In February, Hugh contributed commentary to the *Evening Standard* on *Destroy: Punk Graphic Design in Britain*, reflecting on punk artwork and Kevin Sparrow's role in The Stranglers' early visual identity. On 16 November, Booth-Clibborn Editions and Candy Records published the 18-track CD-and-112-page-book collection *We Love You*, pairing musicians and visual artists. It featured Hugh's music for Mantra Of The Awoken Powers, a Sex W. Johnson poem narrated by sculptor Barry Flanagan over the telephone from New York; other contributors included Brian Eno, Derrick May, Boy George, Pet Shop Boys, Arthur Baker, Tracey Emin, Marc Quinn, and Gilbert & George. Further live dates followed into December.
🎙️ = a recording of this show exists
- 25 Feb 1998Interview with Tony KinsonLondon, EnglandExclusive interview for The Torture Garden website and *HIS Magazine*. Hugh discussed *Guilty*, the keyboard-free four-piece with Mike Polson, planned European dates and his intended first US solo concerts. He said videos for “One Burning Desire” and “Snapper” had been developed with Graham Fink but not filmed; the US label Velvel saw several potential radio tracks. Hugh also discussed the forthcoming *Nosferatu* reissue, the proposed *L'étoile de sang* soundtrack release and “2000 Lights,” while clearly treating each as pending at the time
- By 25 Feb 1998*Feet of Clay* film shootChiswick, London, EnglandHugh had recently completed a three-day shoot playing a hitman in Guy Pitt's unfinished short film, filmed in a studio identified as Kate Moss's flat. Hugh had prepared music to adapt for it, but reported that production had stalled
- By 25 Feb 1998“Mantra Of The Awoken Powers” recording projectUnited Kingdom / New York, USAHugh had composed music for Sex W. Johnson's poem using a spoken recording sent from America by sculptor Barry Flanagan; the collaborators had worked remotely and Flanagan had not heard Hugh's music. The track was being made for a British art-and-music collaboration album later released as *We Love You*
- 20 Apr 1998Chinnery'sSouthend-on-Sea, England
- 21 Apr 1998JB'sDudley, England
- 22 Apr 1998Leeds Irish CentreLeeds, England
- 23 Apr 1998Rock City (The Rig annex)Nottingham, England"Heads and Tails" tour with Spear of Destiny; held specifically in The Rig annex
- 25 Apr 1998BoardwalkSheffield, England
- 26 Apr 1998 🎙️The CathouseGlasgow, Scotland
- 27 Apr 1998LA2 (Astoria 2)London, EnglandWC2. "Heads and Tails" tour with Spear of Destiny
- 28 Apr 1998BierkellerBristol, England
- 1998 (date unknown)The LomaxLiverpool, England
- 30 Apr 1998The WheatsheafStoke-on-Trent, England
- 01 May 1998Sankeys SoapManchester, EnglandRecorded; released as the live album *Mayday* (1999)
- 02 May 1998Whelan'sDublin, IrelandSex W. Johnson narrated the opening number, Irate Caterpillar; live premiere of Mantra Of The Awoken Powers with sculptor Barry Flanagan, who travelled from the US for the one-off performance. Contemporary photograph credited to Aidan Walsh
- 03 May 1998The Belfast Empire Music HallBelfast, Northern IrelandPer a Belfast Telegraph listings page (30 Apr 1998) on the British Newspaper Archive: "Hugh Cornwell and Spear of Destiny at the Empire Music Hall Sunday"
- 21 Nov 1998 🎙️Coup D'EtatBristol, EnglandHugh's debut plugged-and-unplugged show. Setlist: Grip; All The Colours Of The Rainbow; Nerves Of Steel; Black Hair Black Eyes Black Suit; House Of Sorrow; Strange Little Girl; The Big Sleep; Story Of He And She; Goodbye Toulouse; Lay Back On Me Pal; Decadence; Wired; Hanging Around; Who When Where?; Long Dead Train; Snapper; Always The Sun. Recording notes: very good quality; intimate gig with some audience noise; includes an unreleased track
- 02 Dec 1998 🎙️Hare and HoundsCoventry, England
- 06 Dec 1998 🎙️Hotel Du NordParis, France