Fans of ‘prog rock’ icons Ian Anderson and the Jethro Tull band, have a treat in store with two special events announced for 2020: Ian Anderson on Jethro Tull in April and May and The Prog Years Tour 2020 with 11 dates during September and October by one of the world’s most successful and enduring ‘progressive rock’ bands.

Ian Anderson will be visiting a number of England’s slightly smaller venues, in April and May, for Ian Anderson on Jethro Tull, an intimate evening of performance and chat with archive video footage covering his career and the history of Jethro Tull. 

Ian will be accompanied by guitarist Joe Parrish. The audience will be invited to pose interesting and challenging questions, a format following that of the successful Rubbing Elbows with… tours in America in 2002/3.

Ian Anderson on Jethro Tull Full Dates:
Mon 20 April Yeovil Westlands

Tues 21 April Bristol St George’s

Wed 22 April Cheltenham Town Hall

Sun 3 May Lincoln Drill Hall

Mo 4 May Leeds City Varieties

Tues 5 May Buxton Opera House

Sun17 May London Blackheath Halls

Mon 18 May Southend on Sea Palace Theatre

Tues 19 May Guildford G Live

meanwhile…

The Prog Years Tour 2020 tour, 11 dates across the UK in September and October, will draw heavily on material from Jethro Tull’s 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.

The Prog Years Tour 2020 dates are:

Wednesday 30 September            Aylesbury                  The Waterside

Thursday 1 October                         Leicester                    De Montfort Hall

Saturday 3 October                         Blackburn                  St George’s 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                      Shepherd’s Bush Empire

Friday 9 October                              Brighton                     Dome

Saturday 10 October                       Poole                          Lighthouse

Monday 12 October                         Reading                     Hexagon

Tuesday 13 October                        Bath                            The Forum