In these days of fleeting one-hit wonders and reality TV, when the average attention span is measured in seconds, the fact that a band can announce a 50th anniversary tour is to be applauded. Jethro Tull are up there with the likes of The Rolling Stones, who they appeared with in 1968 at the ill-fated Rock and Roll Circus event, in the longevity stakes. Ian Anderson has led his troops through the decades rarely making a musical mistake and the result is a very impressive body of work which will be celebrated early next year. The latest line-up of the band with Anderson at the helm will perform a run of shows in the UK in April 2018. Tour dates and ticket details follow:
It was on the 2nd of February 1968 at the world-famous Marquee Club in Wardour Street that Jethro Tull first performed under that name. The group would go on to become one of the most successful and enduring bands of their era, selling over 60 million albums worldwide and entering the cultural collective consciousness along the way.
To celebrate this golden anniversary, Ian Anderson will present 50 years of Jethro Tull in eight UK concerts during April 2018 as part of the worldwide touring schedule.
The debut album, This Was, was released later that same year. Founder, frontman and flautist, Ian Anderson, is rightly credited with introducing the flute to rock as a front line instrument, not to mention the codpiece!
Jethro Tull are one of the biggest selling Progressive Rock artists of all time and their immense and diverse catalogue of work encompasses folk, blues, classical and heavy rock. The anniversary concerts will feature a broad mix of material, some of it focussing on the earlier formative period through to the heavy hitters of the Tull catalogue from the albums This Was, Stand Up, Benefit, Aqualung, Thick As A Brick, Too Old To Rock And Roll: Too Young To Die, Songs From The Wood, Heavy Horses, Crest Of A Knave and even a touch of TAAB2 from 2012.
“I am not usually a birthday or anniversary kind of guy but, just for once, I won’t be a party-pooper either! I treasure the memories of the earlier years of Jethro Tull repertoire, associated as it is with the adventures of visiting so many countries for the first time to connect with new fans around the world. And this is a celebration of all the 33 band members who graced our ranks - musicians who brought their talents, skills and styles to bear on the performances live and in the studio. Join me and the current band for a nostalgic evening of varied music, representative of my ever-changing songwriting as our careers progressed through the years”
Ian Anderson is accompanied by Tull band musicians David Goodier (bass), John O'Hara (keyboards), Florian Opahle (guitar), Scott Hammond (drums) and surprise virtual guests .Photo credit Travis Latam.
Tour dates are as follows:
UPDATED November 14th 2017
The Jethro Tull tour is already proving a great success with the Sold Out signs already up at some venues (a few tickets may become available nearer the dates so fans should keep checking in on their chosen ticket site).
April 2018
Tuesday 3rd Manchester O2 Apollo
Thursday 5th Newcastle City Hall
Friday 6th Edinburgh Usher Hall
Saturday 7th Liverpool Auditorium (SOLD OUT)
Tuesday 10th Birmingham Symphony Hall (SOLD OUT)
Wednesday 11th Cambridge Corn Exchange (SOLD OUT)
Tuesday 17th London Royal Albert Hall (SOLD OUT)
Pre-sale Tickets available on 30th August: http://www.gigantic.com/jethro-tull-tickets-presale-1051 and venue box offices. Tickets are subject to booking fee. There is no support - please see ticket for start time.
Ian Anderson is accompanied by Tull band musicians David Goodier (bass), John O'Hara (keyboards), Florian Opahle (guitar), Scott Hammond (drums) and surprise virtual guests Formed in 1968, Jethro Tull have released 30 studio and live albums, selling more than 60 million copies worldwide. During their 50-year history, the band has performed over 3,000 concerts in more than 50 countries, playing 100+ concerts each year.