Interviews & Media Articles

Source: delirious.org.uk
Author: Dave Wood
Date: 31 Dec 2001

Delirious? started 2001 as they ended the previous year - locked away in a studio on the south coast of England, working on their fourth studio album. As they contemplated the coming months, even they could not have anticipated what the year would hold for them.

In February Stu G, Tim and Jon (who had recently became a Dad for the first time) travelled to South Africa for the opening of a care facility for children organised by the charity Hope HIV. While they were away Martin duetted with UK worship leader Graham Kendrick and Delirious? received several US Dove Award nominations.

March brought the biggest news in the band's history when it was announced that Delirious? would be supporting US rockers Bon Jovi during their UK tour in the summer. Delirious? were further complimented when Glo track 'Hang On To You' was chosen to be included on a cover CD for popular teen magazine 'Smash Hits'

Delirious? flew out to Canada in early April for a three week tour of North America, accompanied by their wives and children. The Glo tour took them all the way around the United States before returning home at the end of the month to start publicity for their new single.

During May Delirious? made a memorable appearance on BBC1's 'Live & Kicking' show, performing live in the studio and joining in with various games and quizes. By the time the June release date for their new single 'Waiting For The Summer' arrived, Delirious? had notched up more media publicity than ever before.

On 10th June 'Waiting For The Summer' reached number 26 in the charts, disappointing perhaps given the publicity, but there were bigger things still to come. More than a quarter of a million people saw Delirious? support Bon Jovi on a 5 date stadium tour. Many new fans were made and by all reports Delirious? went down exceptionally well with the crowds.

July saw Delirious? participate in a whistle-stop tour, covering California, Hawaii and Australia in a week. Next came news of another single, with a difference. 'Take Me Away' become the band's first single to be released as an MP3 instead of on CD. Tens of thousands of fans jumped at the chance to download the track for free, and the song soared in the MP3 rock charts.

The long awaited new album 'Audio Lessonover' was released in August, accompanied by a 3 star review from definitive music magazine 'Q' who said it was "sung with alarming conviction".

On September 11th the world was shocked by the devastating terrorist attacks in America. In a moving statement Martin Smith announced that the songs 'White Ribbon Day' and 'America' would be made available as free MP3s as way of a tribute to the victims: "Today as people who 'believe' or not, we know we all 'belong' and must unite to 'sing a new song' in this time of tragedy."

September also came with the news that the 'Cutting Edge' album had gone Gold in the USA, selling half a million copies since its release in 1998. In October a brand new CD was released in the USA, titled 'Deeper', containing all the favourite Delirious? worship songs.

In November Delirious? started their biggest ever tour, the 18 date UK D:Tension Tour spanning 5 weeks. During the tour the band were supported by US singer Kendall Payne. On 10th December the band released probably their most surprising single to date, the Cutting Edge classic 'I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever'. An interview and acoustic session on Radio 2 assisted the promotion of the single, which eventually entered the charts at number 40 to become the 7th consecutive Top 40 hit for Delirious?

A busy and eventful year for the Littlehampton-five ended in the usual way, a spectacular Christmas concert at London's Shepherds Bush Empire, featuring Christmas songs and special effects.

The highlight of 2001? Without a doubt it has to be the sight of Delirious? performing on the huge stages of 5 massive British stadiums, as they opened up the doors for Bon Jovi. The memories will remain for a very long time.