The Welsh born musician PHILIP SAYCE (originally from Aberystwyth) was two years old when his family relocated to Canada, so he grew up playing in Toronto.
Eric Clapton, Ry Cooder, and Dire Straits were among the musicians that his parents, Kenneth and Sheila, liked to listen to. His love of the guitar, as well as over ten years piano and trombone playing, were both motivated by his parents’ passion for music. Sayce joined his first band aged just fifteen. Throughout high school, Sayce and his best buddy, drummer Cassius Pereira, played in bands together, practising in basements and both admit that Stevie Ray Vaughan and Hendrix had an effect on their style.
Through his frequent performances as a young guitarist in Toronto clubs, Sayce swiftly attracted attention of the music press and a devoted audiene following. To advance his music career, Sayce and his wife relocated to Los Angeles. Soon after, he was hired by the Double Wide country rapper Uncle Kracker (Matthew Shafer), and they went on tour together for 18 months.
Sayce went on Melissa Etheridge’s Lucky Tour with her band. Sayce also contributed vocals to Melissa Etheridge’s Lucky CD and Lucky Live CD & DVD, all of which were released in September 2004. Sayce also contributed vocals to Melissa Etheridge’s Greatest Hits: The Road Less Travelled, The Awakening, and A New Thought for Christmas, all of which were released in 2005. He further contributed to Melissa Etheridge’s I Need To Wake Up.
2009 saw the release of Sayce’s album Peace Machine on Provogue Records. In May 2010, he made his second album, Innerevolution, available in Europe. Sayce provided backing for ZZ Top in Europe in July 2010 and Deep Purple in France in December 2010. Sayce’s albums Steamroller (2012) and Ruby Electric (2011) were both produced by Nashville’s famed Dave Cobb (Rival Sons, Brandi Carlile.)
During the Covid pandemic, Sayce released his album Spirit Rising with Warner Music Canada. It swiftly rose to the top of the charts and received millions of listens for tracks like Burning Out, Spirit, and Black Roller Coming. The whole record is a tribute to Sayce’s father, who greatly influenced Philip’s love of music.
And now the the celebrated guitarist is set to tour the UK with a string of very rare dates this November 2023 with special guest, slide guitarist Troy Redfern, as support.
Sayce explains: “I am beyond excited to return to the UK — it’s been a long time coming, and it is a privilege to return to the country where I was born to perform. I cannot wait to reconnect with the UK audiences, who are always so gracious, supportive, and welcoming. We are going to light it up with everything we’ve got. Are you ready?”
UK dates below (on poster)
Tickets on sale on from 10:00 G.M.T today Wednesday, April 19th via thegigcartel.com and www.philipsayce.com.
Main photo: © Matt Barnes
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