Two enduring names from British music come together at Symphony Hall as Hue & Cry and Roachford share the stage for a special Birmingham concert.
For Black History Month audiences, the evening provides an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable career of Andrew Roachford MBE, one of Britain’s most enduring Black soul and rock performers.
Roachford made his breakthrough in the late 1980s when Cuddly Toy reached number four in the UK charts, establishing a career that has subsequently stretched across nearly four decades.
His music occupies a space between soul, rock, pop and R&B, while his distinctive voice has made him one of the most recognisable British performers to emerge from that era.
Across his career, Roachford has released ten studio albums and several greatest-hits collections. His reputation as a songwriter has also led to work sought by artists including Michael Jackson, Joss Stone and Chaka Khan.
More recently, he has become familiar to another generation through his work with Mike + The Mechanics, recording and touring internationally with Mike Rutherford’s band.
In 2019, Andrew Roachford was awarded an MBE for services to music, recognising his longstanding contribution to British cultural life.
Sharing the evening are Scottish brothers Patrick and Gregory Kane of Hue & Cry, whose career began in the 1980s with hits including Labour of Love and Looking for Linda. The duo have sold more than two million records internationally and released fifteen studio albums.
The combination creates an evening rooted in the sophisticated British soul and pop sound that emerged during the 1980s while celebrating artists whose careers have continued to evolve long after their first chart successes.
Taking place at Symphony Hall during Black History Month 2026, the concert is an opportunity to recognise Roachford’s place within the wider history of Black British music while enjoying a career-spanning evening from two established acts.
VIP packages are also available for the concert, including premium seating and opportunities to attend short soundcheck performances and meet the artists.
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