Paul Heaton’s ‘The 8th’

Former Housemartin and Beautiful South frontman, Paul Heaton brings to London his acclaimed project The 8th, best described as a hybrid - part pop song-cycle, part opera. 

Heaton will be accompanied by star of US hit series The Wire Reg E Cathey, Ivor Novello winning artist Cherry Ghost, ex-Beautiful South singer Jacqui Abbott, Los Campesinos! vocalist Gareth Paisey; as well as sweet soul singer Wayne Gidden, Scottish singer songwriter Aaron Wright, The Earlies Christian Madden, Hull country and western singer Mike Greaves and the gospel tinged voices of Yvonne Shelton and Steve Menzies.



Given a theatrical narrative by award-winning playwright Che Walker (Royal Court and Young Vic) and directed by Paines Plough’s joint artistic director George Perrin, The 8th is one of the longest songs ever written and was one of the hits of last year’s Manchester International Festival. 

A song in eight chapters, it looks at the Seven Deadly Sins through a series of scenes taking place in a single poverty-stricken neighbourhood, one where a new, thoroughly modern sin, The 8th is able to insinuate itself into every person’s life…

The performance of this electrifying musical will be followed by a set of some of Heaton’s greatest hits, as he is joined by the performers of The 8th for a tune-packed journey through his back catalogue, featuring songs from his Beautiful South, Housemartins and solo career.

The 8th – the album – is released on 2 July on Proper Records.