The Tear the Signs Down album tour was a tour by the Welsh rock band the Automatic, in support of their third album Tear the Signs Down. The band made their live comeback at Cardiff Barfly on 19 September 2009 and soon after announced a string of dates in November where they would preview new material from their then upcoming album.November tour dates theautomatic.co.uk, 21 September 2009The Automatic announce UK tour NME, 3 November 2009 The band undertook a full UK tour, with plans to tour in Europe and America.2010 Tour Dates, Interstate on MTV2 theautomatic.co.uk, 16 November 2009
Background During 2009 the band only played a handful of dates, Jarocin Festival in Poland and Tamworth Midlands Music Festival in July and August, and then their 'comeback performance' on 19 September 2009 in their native Cardiff at Barfly, where they performed new material for the first time. Soon after they announced a small 10 date tour across parts of the United Kingdom, in November 2009.November 2009 tour dates theautomatic.co.uk, 21 September 2009 Prior to the November tour the full album tour was also announced, across the England, Scotland and Wales in March 2010.2010 Tour dates theautomatic.co.uk, 16 November 2010 Three sold out London dates were at the start of the tour, at Hoxton Bar and Kitchen, The Borderline and Camden Barfly.London shows in Jan/Feb theautomatic.co.uk, 11 January 2010
During the March 2010 tour dates the band were supported by Straight Lines and White Belt Yellow Tag.Glasgow theautomatic.co.uk, March 2010 Throughout the tour the Automatic ran a competition via Twitter, giving fans the chance to win a free guest list place every night of the tour.
After the March 2010 tour the band played sporadic gigs and festivals across the summer. They were also favoured to support Ash in April or May on tour, this never became. Isle of Man Today, 7 March 2010 In late June The Blackout supported the Automatic at a charity performance at Pontypridd Muni Arts Centre, whilst later in July the Automatic supported Funeral for a Friend on their Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation tour dates.Cardiff and London July shows with Funeral for a Friend/ theautomatic.co.uk, 16 June 2010
Reception Despite NME's poor reaction to the album Tear the Signs DownAlbum Review: The Automatic - 'Tear The Signs Down' (Armoured)NME, 12 March 2010 the magazine praised the performance at Liverpool on 14 March 2010 - also contradicting their album review calling Tear the Signs Down "an impressive third record", Mike Haydock wrote "They look happy, and it's infectious, translating into a hugely impressive, enjoyable show that puts smiles on people's faces. And surely that's the whole point, right?", noting also that hit singles "Steve McQueen", "Monster", "Raoul" and "Recover" all gained the most response.Live review: The Automatic NME, 30 March 2010
Set list Many of the tracks from Tear the Signs Down have been alternated throughout the tour, with "Run and Hide", "Interstate", "Something Else" and "Cannot Be Saved" remaining present at all dates. "Steve McQueen", "Magazines", "This Is A Fix" and "Light Entertainment" along with an alternation of Sleepwalking and other tracks from This Is A Fix. "Monster", "Campaign Trail", "Raoul" and "Recover" have all been present from Not Accepted Anywhere whilst "That's What She Said" and "By My Side" have been included on occasion. You Shout, Keep Your Eyes Peeled, Seriously I Hate You Guys, Team Drama and Rats have yet to be performed with Paul Mullen as a member of the Automatic.
Interstate Recover Magazines Run and Hide Raoul Race to the Heart of the Sun Monster Something Else This Is A Fix Can I Take You Home On The Campaign Trail Sleepwalking Cannot Be Saved Light Entertainment Steve McQueen
Tour dates Date Location Country Venue Opening Act(s)First leg19 September 2009CardiffWalesBarfly3 November 2009DubaiUnited Arab EmiratesSound City10 November 2009Royal Tunbridge WellsEnglandThe ForumThe Automatic announce UK tour clashmusic.com, 4 November 200911 November 2009SouthendChinnerys12 November 2009Kingston upon ThamesMcCluskys13 November 2009RhonddaWalesCwmparc Hall14 November 2009WrexhamCentral Station20 November 2009PrestonEnglandLava Ignite21 November 2009IpswichLiquid25 November 2009SunderlandIndependent26 November 2009CarlisleBrickyard27 November 2009Stockton-on-TeesKu Bar28 November 2009CoventryKasbahSecond leg21 January 2010LondonLondon Shows Jan/Feb 2010 theautomatic.co.uk, 11 January 2010EnglandHoxton Bar and Kitchen4 February 2010The Borderline18 February 2010Camden BarflyAutopilots22 February 2010SwanseaWalesBrangwynLondon and Swansea dates theautomatic.co.uk, 10 February 2010Third leg2 March 2010SwindonEngland12 BarStraight Lines4 March 2010ExeterCavern5 March 2010FalmouthPrincess Pavilion6 March 2010YeovilOrange Box7 March 2010GloucesterGuildhall8 March 2010OxfordO2 Academy9 March 2010ColchesterArts Centre11 March 2010NorthamptonRoadmender 212 March 2010StokeSugarmill13 March 2010HullAdelphi14 March 2010LiverpoolO2 Academy16 March 2010GlasgowScotlandKing TutsWhite Belt Yellow Tag17 March 2010NewcastleEnglandO2 Academy Newcastle18 March 2010SheffieldO2 Academy19 March 2010ManchesterAcademy20 March 2010LeedsBrudenell Social Club22 March 2010NorwichArts Centre23 March 2010NottinghamRescue Rooms24 March 2010YorkFibbers25 March 2010BirminghamO2 Academy27 March 2010BrightonAudio28 March 2010BristolThekla29 March 2010PortsmouthWedgewood Rooms30 March 2010LondonRelentless GarageLondon and Swansea dates theautomatic.co.uk, 10 February 201031 March 2010CardiffWalesBarflyStraight LinesWhite Belt Yellow TagFourth leg25 June 2010PontypriddWalesMuni Arts CentreThe BlackoutLadies Love a Superhero High Demand18 July 2010MonmouthMonmouth Festival 2010Monmouth Festival '10 efestivals.co.uk, 25 June 2010Festival23 July 2010LondonEnglandWimbledon Calling FestivalWimbledon Calling Festival 2010 efestivals.co.uk, 25 June 20101 August 2010SouthportJedi Music FestivalJedi Music Festival 2010 jedimusicfestival.com, 25 June 2010Fifth leg22 July 2010CardiffWalesCardiff UniversityFuneral for a Friend headlineThe AutomaticYoung Guns23 July 2010LondonEnglandShepherd's Bush Empire
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