Wine trade supergroup Skin Côntact to reform

Wine trade “supergroup” Skin Côntact, featuring musical members of the UK wine industry, is to make a triumphant return to the stage following what was expected to be a one-off charity gig last year.

The band during its 2015 “one-off” charity gig, which raised more than £10,000

Last year the band performed a one-off charity gig in partnership with Côtes du Rhône Wines that raised more than £10,000 for Comic Relief. Due to “unexpected and relentless demand” the band is now gearing for a second charity concert.

This year’s event, which will once again be sponsored by trade body Inter-Rhône, will be held at the O2 Academy in Islington and will feature an evening of guest spot singers from the wine trade, a DJ battle until midnight and a performance by the winner of Skin Côntact’s singing competition.

The band are inviting anyone in the wine trade to enter by uploading a recording of them singing to one of three songs. The best performers will be invited to sing with Skin Côntact on a stage that has previously hosted the likes of Muse, The Cure, Eminem, Beck, KISS and Biffy Clyro.

Skin Côntact’s members include Richard Hemming MW, writer for JancisRobinson.com, on keyboard; Alex Hunt MW, purchasing director for Berkmann Wine Cellars, on lead guitar; Ben Smith, head of communication for Concha y Toro UK and former member of ’80s chart-toppers Curiosity Killed The Cat, on bass guitar; and Matt James, founder of The Bordeaux Cellar and former member of ’90s indie band Gene, on drums.

Of their decision to reform Hemming MW said: “I can’t quite believe this is happening. Again. We’ve already got some fantastic wine trade personalities lined up to sing, and I’m stupidly excited about performing at the Islington Academy. I’m also hugely enthusiastic about our competition to discover the wine trade’s top singing talent, and want to encourage absolutely everyone in the wine trade to get involved. Skin Côntact LIVE AGAIN! is going to be the wine trade event of the year. Again!”

A series of wine trade personalities have been signed up to perform, with the full line-up due to be unveiled over the coming months. Last year’s guest singers included Tim Atkin MW, Joe Wadsack and Charles Metcalfe.

Skin Côntact LIVE AGAIN! will take place on Thursday, 12 May, at the O2 Academy in Islington. Tickets will cost £20 (plus booking fee) and 100% of the face value will go to Wine Relief, the wine trade fundraising initiative for Comic Relief.

Tickets will go on sale in February 2016, with the event set to kick off with an exclusive Côtes du Rhône tasting hosted by sponsors Inter-Rhône.

“How could we possibly say no to this roof-raising and fund-raising opportunity?” said Inter-Rhône’s Agnès Heller. “Comic Relief is such a fitting charity for us to support and I fully anticipate that Skin Côntact LIVE AGAIN will once more emerge triumphant as the Wine Trade event of the year.”

More information on entering the compatition and tickets can be found at skincontactlive.com.