Aquarius is ready to rock Europe with new licensed gifts

Aquarius has launched an innovative new range of rock music-themed products to the European market. Featuring some of the world’s most celebrated acts, the range has been designed to help retailers reach a dedicated and engaged audience of music fans.

The line-up includes a host of interesting takes on traditional formats including games, playing cards and puzzles for the range’s key licences: David Bowie, AC/DC, Pink Floyd, Johnny Cash, and Grateful Dead. Plus, the collection’s hero product, a brand-new KISS-themed board game approved by Gene Simmons himself, will join the range this autumn.


The Board Game that Rocks

New for autumn 2022, the KISS Tour Board Game invites players to put on the best shows, collect tonnes of cash, and leave rock and mayhem in their wake. The first player to hold a concert in each city on the cross-country tour wins. For 2-4 players, ages 12+. Available for pre-order now.

 

 450pc Picture Disc Puzzles

Emulating a classic vinyl disc, Aquarius’ line-up of classic rock picture discs are the ultimate gifts for music fans. Each puzzle uses a precision cutting technique to ensure a perfect fit for all puzzle pieces, leaving virtually no puzzle dust behind. The thick quality paper is glare-free allowing the completed puzzle to be shown off with pride. Available now.

Playing Cards

These full 54-card-deck playing card sets feature beautiful artwork of music icons to make the perfect memorabilia to add to any fan collection. The playing cards are perfect for game nights, birthdays, and stocking fillers. Available now.

 

Funky Chunky Magnets

The Aquarius magnets are perfectly detailed and are sure to ignite debate over which rock band is the best. Whether they are stuck on a whiteboard, in a game room, held in a collection case, or simply on the kitchen fridge, these officially licenced magnets are an ideal gifting item. Available now.

Konrad Hoenig, CEO at Aquarius, says: “Our line-up of music products is unique, offering retailers the opportunity to tap into an uncharted space in the market and support growth. We know that music fans are incredibly engaged and love high-quality memorabilia of their favourite bands and artists. Our innovative twists on classic formats are perfect for gifting and collectors alike.”

For more information on Aquarius’ product range, visit: https://www.nmrbrands.com/aquarius/.

The Who becomes latest rockers to join The Royal Mint’s Music Legends series of commemorative coins

The iconic British band, The Who has become the latest to join The Royal Mint’s ‘Music Legends’ series with the launch of a new range of collectable coins, joining an esteemed list that features Queen, Elton John, and David Bowie.

The mark the launch, co-founding member and lead singer of The Who, Roger Daltrey visited The Royal Mint to strike on of the very first coins, giving the band’s seal of approval on the new coin and its design.

The coin’s dynamic design includes some of the most iconic symbols from the band’s live and loud performances, including a union flag, Mod logo and speaker-smashing Rickenbacker guitar. Together, the symbols on the coin form a pinball table, a nod to the single Pinball Wizard and album Tommy, one of the band’s most famous creations.

With the latest colour printing technology, elements of the coin have been digitally printed to showcase the vibrant red, white and blue of the band’s emblem. Meanwhile, using the latest innovative technology and manufacturing techniques, a number of coins will feature a special ‘shockwave’ effect, radiating from the speaker – elevating the detail of the coin.

Designers and craftspeople at the Mint have developed this effect in honour of The Who’s record-breaking loud concert – a record that was held for a decade.

Clare Maclennan, divisional director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint, said: “The Who are an iconic British band with an incredible musical legacy, so it felt right to honour them with an official UK coin. The Who coin is the latest in our show stopping Music Legends series, which celebrates legendary British artists through original new designs.

“It was a privilege to have Roger Daltrey visit the Mint to strike one of the first coins and meet the team of makers that have created this wonderful design. Our Music Legends series is engaging new generations of coin collectors, and we hope this design will become a cherished part of fan’s memorabilia.”

Daltrey said: “It’s an honour to have a coin produced to celebrate The Who’s musical legacy. The coin’s design captures the true essence of the band and what we represent. It was a fantastic moment being able to strike one of the very first pieces in the collection and see the range of technologies and processes involved in the making of the coin.”

Pete Townshend, lead guitarist of The Who, added: “I am delighted that the band’s work is being recognised by this fantastic range of coins from The Royal Mint.”

The Who began with three schoolboys who all shared a love of music, from jazz and skiffle, to rock and rhythm & blues. The band was initially made up of John Entwistle, Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and later joined by Keith Moon. With a musical legacy spanning more than 50 years, the band boasts an impressive record of a 100 million albums sold worldwide, and over a billion global streams, while it’s also a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the UK Music Hall of Fame.

Brought together by The Royal Mint and Bravado, Universal Music Group’s leading merchandise and brand management company, The Who coin is available as limited-edition precious metal proof editions as well as a Brilliant Uncirculated edition.

David Bowie lands on Tonies platform with 1978 classical music recording of Peter & The Wolf

It’s happened. David Bowie has landed in the toy space thanks to the latest launch from the kids’ audio system, Tonies and the 1978 recording of the cultural icon narrating the double bill Peter and The Wolf/Carnival of the Animals.

Destined to take children on a musical adventure, the classical music Tonie will launch on June 9th this year, taking the form of the story’s Wolf, adorned with its own Aladdin Sane red and blue lightning bolt. The launch will introduce children to the sounds of both classical music and the pop icon, David Bowie.

The new Peter and the Wolf / Carnival of the Animals Tonie will play a double bill symphonic fairy tale as Bowie narrates the story of Peter and the Wolf, while the Philadelphia Orchestra brings it to life, followed by the Camille Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals.

Sergei Prokofiev, the Russian composer, pianist, and conductor, wrote the musical composition of Peter and the Wolf in 1936 to introduce children to orchestra. Each animal and character within the story is represented by different instruments, with Peter conveyed in the narration by the strings whilst the wolf is represented by the French horn.

As well as encouraging independent play, the new classical music Tonie will look to ignite all areas of child development. Research conducted by music charity, the Apollo Music Projects, found that classical music has a direct impact on children’s listening and concentration skills, while also evoking positive feelings. Helping to create a sense of relaxation and calm, classical music can have a positive impact on a child’s emotional wellbeing.

Tim Schumacher, head of Sony Classical, said: “We are so excited to see this wonderful music narrated by David Bowie in 1978, specifically composed and recorded to give children easy access to the world of classical music and help them enjoy it, being released by Tonies.

“To us at Sony, it seems like the perfect fit: a beautiful musical adventure and tales created for children to be enjoyed on an audio player which was also created just for children.”

Pinky Laing, UK partnerships at Tonies, added: “Tonies is committed to helping children through the power and magic of storytelling and music. We are delighted to be releasing our new classical music Tonie that tells the story of Peter and the Wolf and plays the beautiful symphonies by the Philadelphia Orchestra and Camille Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals.

“Music has been proven to help development with children in their early years. Classical music in particular helps to promote a sense of calm and relaxation, which is all so important for young children today. With the launch of our new Tonie we are continuing our commitment to engage young minds, support the wellbeing of children and help the next generation to learn and develop.”

The new releases from Tonies next month don’t end there, as the firm also gears up to release its new Monster Inc Tonie with a running time of 33 minutes and aimed at children aged three years old and upwards, and its Oi Frog and Friends Tonies with a running time of 35 minutes.

The new Tonies are available from selected toy retailers, bookshops and via the Tonies website www.tonies.com, and will RRP £14.99.