
Veteran rockers Jethro Tull continue to expand their upcoming North American trek, recently adding a few more dates on both coasts.
The British rock band is set to kick off a world tour next month in the UK and travel abroad through mid-September. The North American run starts Sept. 24 in Calgary, Alberta, and traverses Canada and the US into December.
Cities added since last check include Chico, CA; Montreal; Wallingford, CT; and Mobile, AL. North American dates are listed below while those for overseas can be found at the band's website.
Riding the theme of its March release, "Best of Acoustic Jethro Tull," the band's concerts will be either all acoustic or a mix of acoustic and electric. Singer/multi-instrumentalist Ian Anderson said in an online posting that he enjoys performing acoustic because his "old ears have been ringing for most of the 39 years of Tull touring."
The live shows will comprise new material and re-worked versions of Tull classics, according to Anderson, who said the set list will pay homage to Mozart, Keith Emerson and King Henry VIII.
Musicians who will join Anderson and longtime Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre on tour include John O'Hara (piano, accordion), David Goodier (bass) and James Duncan (drums, percussion). Drummer Doane Perry, who joined the band in the mid-'80s, will also return to play on select dates.
Tull's new acoustic set comprises 24 of Anderson's favorite songs from over the years, plus a couple of live bonus tracks. The frontman recently told Acoustic Magazine that there is also a "Jethro Tull Live In Montreux" DVD on deck for later this year, as well as another DVD that captures various German concerts from throughout the years. He added that he's about to start work on a new album that will have solo and Jethro Tull components.