The Enid - 50th Anniversary show in London

THE ENID have been described as “the only band on the planet to have successfully fused rock-based music with the power, dynamics and scale of symphonic classical music”. Formed among friends in 1974 The Enid invented a school of intelligent, powerful and romantic popular music which is unique to them. The Enid "school of art" for want of a better description, is free from constraints of template rock/pop where rhythm, harmony and melody are invariably dictated by the traditions, prejudices and limitations associated with style.
For the band’s 50th anniversary tour the line-up has been expanded with the recent introduction of virtuoso guitarist, Alfredo Randazzo, and renowned bassist and keyboardist, Tim Harries.
Says founder Robert John Godfrey: “I did not expect to still be alive but here I am!”
In 1980 the band broke with the music business completely after the collapse of PYE Records and has operated as an "indie band" in partnership with the band's fans ever since.
In 1983 and in need of a survival plan, they turned to their fan club, “The Stand”, to provide the necessary capital funding to tour, produce new recordings and support all the costs associated with running a professional band. The concept of crowdfunding for bands had arrived.
The Enid is proud to have been a pioneer and an inspiration for all those bands who have since followed suit. "If a small cult band like The Enid could do it, so could anyone. Now thanks to the Internet, we are all doing it. Wunderbar!", said Robert John Godfrey in 1988.
QUOTES
1976 - After three encores and a standing ovation at Reading Festival, a disgusted John Peel described The Enid performance as “A Level Rock – the worst possible drivel.”
1979 - Tommy Vance (BBC Radio 1) described Robert John Godfrey as “one of the greatest composers England has ever had”
1986 - Alan Freeman (BBC Radio 1) said, “The Enid is the only band on the planet to have successfully fused rock-based music with the power, dynamics, and scale of symphonic classical music”.
1990 - The Guardian explained The Enid as “Pink Floyd meets The Orb meets the Berlin Philharmonic”.
2010 - Malcolm Dome, Classic Rock: “With their milestone sell-out concert at Symphony Hall, Birmingham with the CBSO, The Enid have indelibly underlined their position as the symphonic masters.
2014 - Jerry Ewing Prog Magazine: ".... absolutely blew my mind - unlike anything I had seen before - totally unique - a wonderful band - far-reaching and ground-breaking."
2016 - The Band On The Wall: “The most majestic rock band of all time.”
“The Enid have reaffirmed their place among the pantheon of Prog Gods.” Rachel Mann, Prog Magazine
"Late blooming beauty." Mark Beech, Bloomberg
“One of the most puzzling but invigorating sounds of recent years.” Dave Gelly, The Observer
“The delivery of Enid songwriter Robert John Godfrey’s songs through a rock band augmented by an orchestra and choir worked brilliantly.” Express and Star
“The rebirth of one of the most original of all progressive bands.” Malcolm Dome, Classic Rock
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This show will be at the larger 229 venue at Great Portland Street, and will be fully seated (unreserved).