Jethro Tull start a 12-day tour of Britain on September 23.

It is their first British tour since the beginning of 1969, and the first with the new five-man line-up including new pianist John Evan. They will be supported by Procol Harum, who will be playing virtually their only British dates this year, and Tir Na Nog, a folk duo from Ireland.

The tour includes three midnight shows in Birmingham, Glasgow and Manchester.

Speaking about the tour, Jethro leader Ian Anderson told the MM this week:

"The problem of playing in England is that most of the places only hold about 2,000 people and tickets are soon sold out. So we are trying to do two shows. There is so much happening in these halls that we could only get in at midnight, which rather limits the number of people who can go, but is better than not playing at all."

There will be no new records to coincide with the tour, though the group should have their next album released in about January.

"I don't think we will make any more singles," said Ian. "I don't think we need a chart single now and if we did do one it would be an album track. After the English tour we go back to America for a short tour and then we will start recording for the next album."

The three midnight shows are at Birmingham Town Hall on September 25 when the three groups will play two houses — one at 7.30 pm and another one from midnight to 3 am. At the Queen's Playhouse, Glasgow, on October 2 and at the Free Trade Hall, Manchester, on October 3, they will play one three-hour show starting at midnight.

Other dates are Sheffield City Hall (September 23), Albert Hall, Nottingham (24), City Hall, Newcastle (27), De Montford Hall, Leicester (28), Music Hall, Aberdeen (30), Caird Hall, Dundee (October 1), Colston Hall, Bristol (4), Guildhall, Southampton (9) and Albert Hall, London (13).

Back | Next
Top | Home