Young Ones star and Blur drummer heading to Morecambe Library

The Young Ones star Nigel Planer, Blur drummer Dave Rowntree and post punk musician John Robb are heading to Morecambe for author events.

The three famous faces will tell stories from each of their new books at Morecambe Library on three separate dates in May and July.

The first one will feature John Robb with special guest, Lancaster musician Holly Ross from The Lovely Eggs, on Friday May 22.

A post punk artist and music journalist hailing from Blackpool, John Robb has sold more than half a million books, writing pop culture best sellers on The Stone Roses, The Charlatans and diving deeper than ever into music culture, tackling punk rock, goth and Manchester’s rich contribution to the music scene in the late 20th century.

In his ‘Do You Believe in the Power of Rock n Roll’ tour, he will talk about a life in music, his best selling 'Art of Darkness' book, being the first person to interview Nirvana, inventing the word Britpop, his adventures on the post punk front line and much much more. 

John Robb

On May 29, Dave Rowntree will tell unheard stories alongside candid photos from his new bestselling book ‘No One You Know’.

Rowntree was a member of Blur before they were Blur, joining up as drummer with singer Damon Albarn and guitarist Graham Coxon when they were in various bands in Colchester in the late 1980s.

After Alex James stepped in as bassist, Blur went on to become one of the most innovative and successful UK bands of all time: both creating Britpop and then moving up and on from it in a way that no other band has achieved.

The band’s exceptional creative musical talent, their unique ability to create art-rock anthems as well as solid pop bangers, has won them devoted fans across the world, and in 2023, after a hiatus, they sold out Wembley Stadium twice over. Blur have released nine studio albums, won five BRIT Awards, and sold 70 million across the world.

He will share the tales behind Blur’s formative years from their early friendships in Colchester, to world tours, and famously going head-to-head with Oasis.

The show will be a rare insight into the moments that shaped one of the major defining bands of 1990s Britpop.

“I'm really enjoying being out on the road on my book tour, talking about the early years of Blur — that thrilling roller coaster ride when everything felt both possible and chaotic," said Dave.

Dave Rowntree

"Revisiting those formative gigs, the first tours of the USA, Japan and Europe, the first records, the TV shows, having a record in the charts - it brings it all rushing back. And being here in Morecambe makes it even better — there’s something special about sharing those stories by the sea, in a town with such character and history.”

Finally, Nigel Planer will appear at Morecambe Library on Wednesday July 22.

The star of BBC’s The Young Ones, Comic Strip, Pratchett audio books and loads more, will be looking back on his life as he celebrates the paperback launch of his autobiography, 'Young Once, a Life Less Heavy'.

Both a hugely entertaining and evocative memoir and a fascinating insight into the glory days of British comedy, Nigel Planer's wonderfully witty account of his rise to fame as Neil in The Young Ones is filled with anecdotes, memories and a starry supporting cast. 

Founder of the town’s popular annual poetry festival, and Beyond Radio presenter Matt Panesh is bringing the events to the town in addition to the four-day wall to wall spoken word festival.

Matt said he was delighted to be able to work with the library as they are "a great venue and vital part of the civic community".

“I'm genuinely over the moon to be bringing these names and talents to Morecambe, the town is definitely on the up, and I think we can see that in the creativity, both at the poetry festival, and what's happening down on Yorkshire Street," said Matt.

Matt Panesh

"We're seeing a  blooming of vibrancy. There's a positivity here.  Our offer is developing as we begin to pick up Eden speed.”

Andrew Till from Morecambe Library said: “Working with Matt for the past couple of years has been invaluable to Morecambe Library.

"He brings some big names that you wouldn’t expect to the area such as Michael Rosen, Pam Ayres and Henry Normal.

"As we’re in the National Year of Reading, we’re delighted to host some amazing author events with John Robb, Nigel Planer and Dave Rowntree.”

The event series at the library will culminate in the free children's programme at Morecambe Poetry Festival taking place on September 19 with workshops and poetry from Dominic Berry, Louise Exactly, Write Out Loud and Hot Poets. 

Tickets are on sale now for all the library author events, with tickets starting at £11 + bf. They are available HERE.

Weekend passes for the fifth edition of the Morecambe Poetry Festival taking place at the Winter Gardens and the King’s Arms from September 18-20, with a pre-fest meet up on September 17 are available now HERE, with the full programme to be released shortly.

Nigel Planer will also be part of the Morecambe TV and Film Festival in July.

Read more: Alexei Sayle and Nigel Planer confirmed for Morecambe TV and Film Festival - Beyond Radio