1998
The April–May "Heads and Tails" tour was a joint-headline UK and Ireland run with Spear of Destiny and introduced a new line-up: Hugh and Mike Polson with bassist Michelle Marti and drummer Justin Chapman. The 1 May Manchester show was recorded and released as *Mayday* in 1999; later dates included Hugh's first plugged-and-unplugged show in Bristol and a December visit to Paris. Away from the tour, *Nosferatu* was remastered and reissued, while the art-and-music collection *We Love You* featured Hugh's setting of Sex W. Johnson's Mantra Of The Awoken Powers, narrated by sculptor Barry Flanagan.
🎙️ = 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