Ian Anderson and the Jethro Tull band, one of the world’s most successful and enduring progressive rock bands, have announced that they will return to the road with The Prog Years Tour 2020 with 11 dates across the UK in September and October.
This tour will draw heavily on material from Jethro Tulls more ‘prog’ albums, much of it focussing on the early heavy hitters of the Tull catalogue, classic albums including Stand Up, Benefit, Aqualung, Thick As A Brick, Passion Play and even a touch of Thick As A Brick 2 from 2012.
From the outset, Tull’s frontman Ian Anderson created the distinctive persona of the tousled flute-playing minstrel, balanced on one leg and playing music with an historical slant. Jethro Tull continues to hold a unique place in the hearts of progressive music fans and these albums are the focus of that passion.
Ian says: Dusting off many older progressive songs amongst my earliest attempts to experiment outside the blues repertoire we began with has proved hugely enjoyable. Along the way, over the last 50 years, there have been a good few pieces that still strongly resonate with me today on either a musical or lyrical level. Hopefully both. Some are really tricky to play; some might sound that way but fall under the fingers quite naturally although the overall arrangements require feats of memory! Test my marbles; come to the party!
Ian Anderson will be accompanied by Tull band musicians David Goodier (bass), John O’Hara (keyboards), guitarist Joe Parrish and Scott Hammond on drums. The show will be enhanced by full scale video projection.
Tour dates are:
Wednesday 30 September Aylesbury The Waterside
Thursday 1 October Leicester De Montfort Hall
Saturday 3 October Blackburn St Georges Hall
Sunday 4 October Perth Concert Hall
Monday 5 October Glasgow Pavilion Theatre
Tuesday 6 October Stoke-On-Trent Victoria Hall
Thursday 8 October London Shepherds Bush Empire
Friday 9 October Brighton Dome
Saturday 10 October Poole Lighthouse
Monday 12 October Reading Hexagon
Tuesday 13 October Bath The Forum
Tickets go on sale at 9am on 6th November buy them from: https://www.gigantic.com/
Ian Anderson will also be appearing at a number of smaller venues for a more intimate evening of chat and archive video footage about his career and the history of Jethro Tull.
Ian will be accompanied by guitarist Joe Parrish to play a few songs. The audience will be invited to pose interesting and challenging questions.
For the ardent Jethro Tull fan, this is an event not to be missed.
Dates confirmed so far with more to be added:
Monday 20 April Yeovil Westlands
Tuesday 21 April Bristol St George’s
Wednesday 22 April Cheltenham Town Hall
Tickets to go on sale in late November 2019. Check www.jethrotull.com for more info
