Travis to Play Live in Seoul
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
Travis, the Scottish band that rocked the Pentaport Rock Festival this year, returns to Korea for a concert in March.
Travis will hold its first solo concert March 1 at the Olympic Hall, Olympic Park, southern Seoul, as part of the ``Scream World Tour.'' This promises to be one of the hottest tickets in 2009, considering Travis is one of the most popular rock groups in Korea.
Fans came in droves for the Pentaport Rock Festival last July, where Travis was one of the main headliners. The band electrified the audience with their strong performance, which included their hit songs ``Sing'' and ``Turn.''
Originally from Glasgow, Travis is composed of vocalist Fran Healy, lead guitarist Andrew Dunlop, bassist Douglas Payne and drummer Neil Primrose. The band had just released their sixth album ``Ode to J. Smith,'' described as their edgiest and most experimental work yet, last September.
Travis released its first studio album ``Good Feeling'' in 1997, receiving good reviews but little airplay and lackluster sales.
It was their second album ``The Man Who,'' released in 1999, which propelled Travis to the mainstream. Filled with melancholic Brit-rock tunes that the band would become known for, ``The Man Who'' topped the U.K. charts and won Album of the Year at the 2000 BRIT Awards. Travis was also named Best Band at the same awards.
In 2001, Travis released ``The Invisible Band,'' featuring the popular song ``Sing.'' It topped the British charts, received critical praise and helped Travis win Best Band again at the BRIT Awards.
However, in 2002, drummer Neil Primrose nearly died when he broke his neck after jumping head first into a shallow swimming pool. Travis nearly disbanded during that time, but Primrose has since made a full recovery.
The band regrouped, and released ``12 Memories'' in 2003 and ``The Boy with No Name'' in 2007. Travis' latest album ``Ode to J. Smith'' has been called the band's best work in years. Healy has said all of the songs in the album were written about nameless characters.
Tickets, priced 88,000 won and 66,000 won, went on sale Tuesday. Call (02) 3444-9969 or 1544-1555. Visit ticket.interpark.com. For English inquiries and reservations, call (02) 3444-9969 or email