Katatonia has issued the following press release:

Northern Music Co., in association with The Agency Group are proud to announce five very special European shows to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Swedish masters of melancholy Katatonia.  With performances in Luxembourg, Germany, Holland, France and England the band will perform two sets at each show; the first set will see the band play ´Last Fair Deal Gone Down´ front to back the album that put them firmly on the musical map. The second set will consist of a mixed set of carefully picked songs from their extensive catalogue. In its entirety the show will be well over two hours of live music.

Front man and lead guitarist Anders Nyström had the following to say:

“Who could believe that Katatonia would make it all this way, 20 years down the road… It’s quite amazing that 2011 will give us the chance to celebrate an anniversary most marriages don’t reach! Another pleasant coincidence is that our classic album ‘Last Fair Deal Gone Down’ has just grown a decade old itself, so what do we do, you ask? Well, THAT! We have decided to re-visit ‘Last Fair Deal Gone Down’ for the first time ever in its entirety and also to take the chance of digging up some of the more obscure songs that we’ve never or rarely played live while blinding in some well known classics from the rest of our catalogue. We hope you’ll come and join us in this special celebration as this shall be a one-time opportunity to witness the Last Fair Day Gone Night!”

The band will offer exclusive VIP ticket packages, limited to only 70 for each show which will include a laminated VIP pass exclusive to the show, access to sound check, a meet & greet with Katatonia, a t-shirt exclusive to that particular show, a special tour programme and a very special limited edition vinyl of their latest opus ´Night is The New Day´ amongst other exclusive items.

All the goods will be included in a specially made Katatonia messenger bag. The VIP laminate will also allow early access to venues so that VIP’s can get the best seats in the house.  In addition all 350 VIP´s will automatically be entered into a draw for one lucky VIP to win a grand prize made available by a selection of the band´s equipment endorsers. Exact contents of this prize will be announced on the band´s official website within the next few weeks.

Dates and venues are as follows:
May 4th  – Kulturfabrik – Luxembourg
May 5th – Stollwerck – Cologne, Germany
May 6th – Koko – London, UK (Live DVD recording)
May 7th – De Kade – Zaandam, Holland
May 8th – Alhambra – Paris, France

VIP tickets can be purchased exclusively through the band´s website www.katatonia.com. General admission tickets will go on sale Wednesday, January 19th.

Photo: http://www.katatonia.com