In March 2014 Kate Bush announced plans to perform 15 shows in London in August and September that year, her first live shows since 1979. Her fans went wild, clamouring for tickets. The shows sold out so quickly that a further 7 shows were immediately added, with all shows selling out in 15 minutes. Kate’s own website crashed with the demand.

Catherine "Kate" Bush, first got the UK's attention in 1978 when at the age of just 19, her song "Wuthering Heights" topped the singles chart, staying there for four weeks and making her the first female artist to have a self-penned UK number-one. She went on to release twenty-five UK Top 40 singles, ten studio albums, win Best British Female Artist, achieve Grammy nominations and numerous awards and accolades. Bush became one of British music's most significant and respected artists, with her experimental "art-pop", her other-worldly voice, and her flambouyant and powerful performances.

In 1979, she embarked on a critically and commercially successful tour, the Tour Of Life, with most dates selling out and extra shows being added due to high demand for tickets. She told an interviewer before the tour began "Bands that do nothing, that just go out and play their latest album, or sing it then just walk off, are boring," and she definitely put her money where her mouth is, performing for more than two hours each night and challenging perceptions of what a live show could be. However, the tour took it out of her, she found it so physically taxing - partly because she insisted on dancing while she sang - that she had no desire to go out on the road again. Fans were left wanting more, and they were kept waiting for a long time.

Bush has credited her son Bertie with the motivation to return to the stage, saying: “Without my son, Bertie, this would never have happened. Without his encouragement and enthusiasm, particularly in the early stages when I was very frightened to commit to pushing the ‘go’ button, I’m sure I would have backed out.”

When the 35-year live performance drought was finally over with the 2014 announcement, it was a momentous occasion. The first night of the shows prompted a complete media frenzy with the Evening Standard declaring that the show was “an extraordinary mix of magical ideas, stunning visuals, attention to detail and remarkable music – she was so obviously, so unambiguously brilliant, it made last night something to tell the grandchildren about.”

Now comes the announcement of the live album Before The Dawn, produced by Kate Bush with no re-recording or overdubbing, captured during the incredible run of sold-out shows at London's Hammersmith Apollo in 2014. Welcome news for those who were not lucky enough to witness Bush's return to the stage first-hand.

Before The Dawn will be released on 3CD set on November 25, and on 4LP vinyl set in December. The conceptual heart of the show is reflected in the CD format, which is split over 3 discs centred on the two integral pieces – The Ninth Wave and A Sky Of Honey. CD1 ends with the pivotal track "King Of The Mountain" which bridges into The Ninth Wave suite of songs on CD2.

Following the first week of performances, eight of Kate Bush’s albums charted simultaneously within the UK Top 40, making her the only female artist in history to achieve this feat.

Here are some of the rave reviews from the Before The Dawn live shows:
“The most influential and respected British female artist of the last 40 years – ‘Before The Dawn’ is remarkable” - The Guardian
“Bush’s return to the stage is a staggering triumph” - Metro
“Some powerful magic has restored Kate Bush to us.” - Observer
“A triumphant return by one of our greatest, most original and influential music stars.” - The Sun
“Stunning, undoubtedly the most ambitious and genuinely moving piece of theatrical pop ever seen on a British stage” - The Independent
“This visionary performance is worlds apart” - The Times

BEFORE THE DAWN CD TRACKLISTING 

CD1:

1. Lily
2. Hounds of Love
3. Joanni
4. Top of the City
5. Never Be Mine
6. Running Up That Hill
7. King of the Mountain

CD2:       

1. Astronomer's Call (Spoken monologue)
2. And Dream of Sheep
3. Under Ice
4. Waking the Witch
5. Watching Them Without Her (dialogue)
6. Watching You Without Me
7. Little Light
8. Jig Of Life
9. Hello Earth
10. The Morning Fog

CD3:

1. Prelude
2. Prologue
3. An Architect's Dream
4. The Painter's Link
5. Sunset
6. Aerial Tal
7. Somewhere In Between
8. Tawny Moon
9. Nocturn
10. Aerial
11. Among Angels
12. Cloudbusting

BEFORE THE DAWN VINYL TRACKLISTING 

Vinyl 1: Side A

1. Lily
2. Hounds Of Love
3. Joanni
4. Top Of The City

Vinyl 1: Side B

1. Never Be Mine
2. Running Up That Hill
3. King Of The Mountain

Vinyl 2: Side A

1. Astronomer’s Call
2. And Dream Of Sheep
3. Under Ice
4. Waking The Witch
5. Watching Them Without Her
6. Watching You Without Me

Vinyl 2: Side B

1. Little Light
2. Jig Of Life
3. Hello Earth
4. The Morning Fog

Vinyl 3: Side A

1. Prelude
2. Prologue
3. An Architect’s Dream
4. The Painter’s Link

Vinyl 3: Side B

1. Sunset
2. Aerial Tal
3. Somewhere In Between 

Vinyl 4: Side A

1. Nocturn
2. Aerial

Vinyl 4: Side B

1. Among Angels
2. Cloudbusting