Fans of Dire Straits and the good music in Brussels will be happy to learn that Chris White, former member of the band & six world class musicians will be bringing back to life the music of one of the most creative and unique rock music bands. The show takes place on 24th November in the Cirque Royal in Brussels.
It has been more than 40 years since the opening line of Sultans Of Swing was first heard being broadcast around the world. In the process, it introduced us to a magnificent guitar player and songwriter in Mark Knopfler, and to what has become a musical universe unto itself: the music of Dire Straits.
Chris White, who worked with Mark Knopfler from the early ‘80s on film scores, joined Dire Straits for their record-breaking Brothers In Arms world tour in 1985. This included their performance at Live Aid and, later, the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday concert in 1988. He went on to play on the final Dire Straits album, On Every Street, and was again part of the two-year world tour that produced the live On The Night album and DVD. Having experienced the audience response to a live Dire Straits show at the height of the band’s popularity, he speaks fondly of the fans today.
“I have been truly amazed and, frankly, humbled by the response we have had from the fans on hearing these songs again. Dire Straits have the most amazingly loyal fan base. It has been so great to reconnect with people I last saw in 1992 and see them still getting so much from this music. Also, it is fantastic to make new friends among the many young people who are now discovering Mark and Dire Straits. So many people still want to experience this live.”
In Terence Reis, I think we may have found the only person on the planet that is able to play and sing like Mark, but maintain his own integrity and identity. I think this is the very essence of why the fans have been so accepting of what we do. They believe in Terence as his own man. They know he is not trying to be Mark. Because of his respect for Mark, Terence is able to perform these songs in a very honest way that allows his energy and talent to come through. This is exactly what allows the performances to feel alive and fresh. Not slavish copies of a bygone time. Without Terence, this would simply not work.”
And so it is that these songs, in all their ambition, grandeur and aching beauty, are once again presented live… for the fans that that have kept them alive.
