UK hip-hop and electronic dance pioneers Stereo MCs head for Dreamland
Frontman Rob Birch also speaks to ‘cene magazine about his own move to Margate
Image by Julia Khoroshilov
Stereo MCs are gearing up for a major return to the road in 2025, announcing a brand-new run of UK and Ireland tour dates that will see them reconnect with fans across the country and beyond.
Momentum has been building steadily for the Brit Award-winning outfit. Following their appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon earlier this year where they performed their timeless hit “Connected”, the group revealed a full run of US shows, their first coast-to-coast tour Stateside since 2001, culminating in a slot at the Cruel World Festival on 17 May.
Now, they’re setting their sights closer to home. The ‘True To Life’ UK / IE Tour, the band’s first full European tour since 2014, will stop at Dreamland Margate (TICKETS), on Saturday December 6th.
For founding member Rob Birch, this is something of a homecoming, as the iconic frontman now lives in the Kent seaside town.
Speaking exclusively to ‘cene magazine about his move to Margate and how the town’s creative spirit, Rob Birch said: “Margate is a different energy. It took me some time to discover the community here and for a year or so I was something like a hermit, coming out of my studio or back from gigs just to find good places for food….. (I come from Brixton mainly in adult life so my diet is not English based) and go swimming. One of the reasons I live in Westgate is there is a pool (Hartsdown) close by - major factor!
“Admittedly, it was a culture shock at first but slowly I started meeting people that I related to in spirit and culture. My first discovery was Werkhaus vintage boutique and the co-founder Cynthia Lawrence-John who I bumped into at Dora’s when they used to sell those wicked doughnuts. I knew at first sight she was a kindred spirit and as destiny would have it has become my soul mate.
“The cool thing about the creative scene here is it operates on a word of mouth ground level vibe and people are far more open to introduction and collaboration. Although London is a thriving, diverse vast source of creative energy , it can be difficult to penetrate .
“I think through meeting Cynthia , I met Paul Camo who invited us to host a show on his radio station (Margate Radio) which we’ve been doing a while now and I love it.”
FOR THE FULL EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW SEE THE UPCOMING EDITION #43 OF ‘CENE MAGAZINE.
The core lineup features founding members Rob Birch (Rob B), Nick Hallam, and Cath Coffey, joined by drummer and percussionist Tansay Omar — a reunion that promises to deliver the unmistakable groove and live chemistry that has long defined Stereo MC’s.
Fans can look forward to a deep dive through the group’s catalogue spanning seven acclaimed studio albums with classics such as “Connected,” “Step It Up,” “Elevate My Mind,” and “Lost In Music” all expected to feature.
