Veteran Midlands rockers Magnum have been putting the finishing touches to their set at their rehearsal studios near Wolverhampton before they head off on their 2009 European tour this week.

The band, which draws its members from the Wolverhampton, Burntwood, Aldridge and Tamworth areas, opens its 35-date tour in Malmo, Sweden, on Friday and will be returning for a homecoming gig at Wolverhampton’s Wulfrun Hall on Saturday October 31.

Check out our exclusive tour rehearsal photo gallery below

Fans will get a chance to meet the band that afternoon and get their Magnum memorabilia signed at a special meet and greet session at Oldies Unlimited, in Darlaston Street, Wolverhampton from 3pm.

The tour is in support of the band’s 15th studio album, Into The Valley of the Moonking, and Magnum’s songwriter and guitarist Tony Clarkin said he was looking forward to taking half a dozen or so new songs on the road along with a set packed with Magnum classics.

“We’re hitting Scandanavia, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, Denmark and then back to the UK,” he said.

“The set has changed around quite a lot from the last time. I’m looking forward to this set, it sounds really good.

Clarkin added: “There are certain places you go in the world where the audience are all vibrant, it seems, Germany especially. And Wolverhampton is one of those places too.”

• Magnum’s European tour calls in at Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, on October 31, 2009. Tickets cost £18.50 plus booking fees. Support is from local band Liberty Lies.
• Visit the official website at www.magnumonline.co.uk