Photo: Press

Mercury Rev have announced details of three special gigs.

The band will embark on a three-date UK tour accompanied by the Royal Northern Sinfonia in which their back catalogue will be dramatically enhanced within a sumptuous orchestral setting.

Royal Northern Sinfonia has built a reputation as one of the UK’s most forward-thinking and versatile orchestras and has in recent years collaborated with artists as diverse as Pet Shop Boys, Joanna Newsom, John Grant and Spiritualized.

Founded in 1958 by music director Michael Hall as the first permanent chamber orchestra in Britain, it gave its first concert on September 24, 1958, as the 'Sinfonia Orchestra', at the City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne.

The tour will visit Gateshead, Bristol and London, where it will form part of Bella Union’s 20th Anniversary celebrations.

The independent label was founded and run by former Cocteau Twins bassist Simon Raymonde. The celebrated label has released music by Beach House, Explosions In The Sky, Fleet Foxes, The Acorn, PINS, John Grant, Laura Veirs, The Flaming Lips and many others.

Mercury Rev and the Royal Northern Sinfonia play:

July 12 – Sage Gateshead, Gateshead
July 13 – Colston Hall, Bristol
July 14 – Barbican, London

Tickets are available now from the individual venues.