Ladytron's "secret" homecoming gig...

Next week the Liverpool-based band are doing a special secret pre-tour show at the Picket. Although keyboard player Reuben Wu doubts it’s quite so secret anymore.

“Well, it’s not really a secret show,� he laughs. “Not now you’re putting it in the ECHO anyway. It’s more of a warm-up show.�

Reuben, from Toxteth, also acts as a producer, remixer and DJ and set up the Liverpool club night Evol with bandmate Danny Hunt. He’s also a classically-trained violinist and an illustrator (who drew the cover of Ladytron's first album 604) and an all-round thoroughly talented chap.

He also has a share in Fleet Street indie haven/bar/restaurant Korova.

“Danny and I both have a hand in it, with Rob Guttman,� explains Reuben. “We love it. When I’m on tour I miss it.

“We don’t do the band bookings – we don’t have time – but if there’s a decision on what’s going to happen to one of the rooms or what drinks we’re going to stock then we’re there.�

Reuben says that he wanted to open Korova to give bands a place to play.

“Growing up in Liverpool we used to go to loads of venues – like Le Bateau and Heebie Jeebies – but there was nothing like Korova,� he says. “I like that it’s part of the music scene. It’s kind of a centre for communication.

“I’m pretty much always in there. It’s like my living room when I’m in town.�

Sadly, Reuben and the rest of the band aren’t going to get to see much of their favourite bar for the rest of the year.

Ladytron – Reuben and Danny, plus Helen Marnie and Mira Aroyo – are touring in support of their fourth full-length album, Velocifero, out in June. It was recorded in Paris, and produced by the band, with Vicarious Bliss of Ed Banger Records (Justice, DJ Mehdi, Busy P) and Alessandro Cortini (Nine Inch Nails). It was mixed by Michael Patterson (Beck, P. Diddy).
“We’ve got the UK tour, then Europe, North America, Asia,� explains Reuben. “Then back for the festivals, then Australia and South America.

“Touring is one of the best things about being in a band. You get to see the world and find some really exotic places. It’s amazing. And it’s so strange that the music you make in Liverpool people are listening to in Mexico city, or in the middle of Asia.

“I suppose a lot of it is down to the internet.

“It’s only when you go and play in those places and see the crowds singing the lyrics to your songs that it really hits you.�

So, with all these exotic far flung gigs, what will it be like to play at home?

“Liverpool wasn’t in the original line-up, but we were down to do all our pre-production rehearsals here, so it made sense for us to do a show,� he says.

“We’ve got a whole new load of songs, so it’s always difficult to choose what to play. We’ll do a lot of familiar stuff, plus a few new ones.

“After the last album we toured everywhere – Mexico, Iceland, Russia – so it’ll be good to play a hometown gig.�

Ladytron play The Picket on April 29. Velocifero is out on June 2.

Click here to read our review of Ladytron's single, Ghosts