While a whole smorgasbord of eighties' pop bands continues to tease nostalgic audiences with virtually unrecognisable line-ups sleepwalking through that particular group's one or two memorable hits, Deacon Blue provide a refreshing counterpoint.

For Ricky Ross's band have, by and large, continued with the same line-up for the thick end of three decades and with a single hiatus of just four years. What's more, Ricky, Lorraine, James and Dougie can call on more than just a couple of nearly-forgotten hits.

In fact, Deacon Blue were quite the success story and, what's more, they wrote their own songs and played their own instruments. That might sound inconsequential in these post-Britpop days but, before Blur, Oasis and their kind, the charts really were crammed full of poorly programmed drum machines and pop production line dross.

Amid this sea of mediocrity, sailed Deacon Blue. In a ship. A ship called Dignity. Oof. Dignity was, of course, one of the band's most popular tunes but it was, is, one of a number. Many a droning hour on Radio 1 was enlivened by a bit of sing-along-a-Deacon Blue, with hits including Chocolate Girl, Wages Day, Real Gone Kid and Fergus Sings the Blues. Get ready to sing along all over again - not only has Ricky Ross said that the band are working on new material but there's also the October tour to look forward to.

The dates kick off in Dundee on 4th October, followed by gigs in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Bristol, Liverpool and more, before the final show at the Roundhouse in Camden on 22nd October 2012. We will have tickets available from 9am on Friday 13th April.