We are pleased to announce support acts for our forthcoming UK/European tour. The tour kicks off on Monday 16th September 2024 at Thornden Hall, Eastleigh, UK. Following shows around the UK, in Germany, The Netherlands, Norway and Denmark, it concludes at Cadogan Hall, London, UK on Saturday 5th October.
This tour will promote ‘The Likes Of Us’, our recently released first studio album for InsideOut/Sony, as well as ‘A Flare On The Lens’, a live concert film Blu-ray/3CD/2LP recorded at our shows at the prestigious Cadogan Hall last September. ‘A Flare On The Lens’ will be released by InsideOut/Sony on the eve of the tour on 13th September 2024.
Bassist Gregory Spawton says: “In the very early days of Big Big Train many years ago, various more established bands gave us an invaluable opportunity to support them. Now that we’re more established ourselves, I feel that it’s important for us to offer the same opportunity whenever we can. So I’m really pleased that League Of Lights and Haunt The Woods will support us at a couple of UK shows each, with Pete Jones, Stuckfish and Storm Deva each playing one show with us.”
Drummer Nick D’Virgilio adds: “For the shows in continental Europe we’re going to mix things up too. We’ve got our very own Rikard Sjöblom opening the show in Norway with his awesome band Beardfish, while Melanie Mau & Martin Schnella will be doing a very cool acoustic set in Germany.”
Keyboardist Oskar Holldorff comments: “Last year I did double duty on BBT’s tour, opening the show with my other band Dim Gray. We received a wonderful response from the Big Big Train fans, who I hope will enjoy the various acts we’ve lined up to play alongside us this year and give them a similarly warm reaction.”
Lead vocalist Alberto Bravin adds: “For the other shows on this tour we decided to have some fun ourselves and keep the support side of things ‘in-house’. So one or maybe two members of the band will do a solo opening performance to start the shows in Copenhagen, Zoetermeer and London. You’ll find out on the night who is playing the opening set!”
The ‘A Flare On The Lens’ concert film package includes every song we performed over the two evenings on tour last September in London and is available as a Limited 3CD+Blu-ray digipak in slipcase, with the concert film audio mixed in 5.1 surround sound and stereo. A gatefold 180g 2LP vinyl version is also available, which features a carefully selected range of material from the Cadogan Hall shows.
Renaissance, the legendary symphonic rock band featuring Annie Haslam, will be back in the US playing select dates from October 17th through October 31st. This will mark 54 years since the formation of the band and its 16th consecutive year of touring since its reactivation in 2009.
Renaissance leader and vocalist Annie Haslam remarked that “We are very proud but sad to announce our ‘In Gratitude’ Farewell Tour. Where did the time go? Looking back over the years, I believe we have made history in the worlds of Progressive and Symphonic Rock.”
The upcoming shows will include stunning arrangements of “Ocean Gypsy,” “Northern Lights,” “Forever Changing,” “Mother Russia,” “Carpet of the Sun,” “Ashes are Burning” and other favorite classics. Ms. Haslam will be joined on stage by long-time musical associate Rave Tesar on piano, along with Mark Lambert on guitars/vocals, Geoffrey Langley on keyboards/vocals, Frank Pagano on drums, percussion/vocals, and John Galgano on bass.
Annie Haslam noted that “Performing with Renaissance since 1971 has been my whole life. I still love singing these unique, surreal, dramatic and romantic songs and pairing up with some of the finest orchestras in the world. All of this was born from the music of Michael Dunford, John Tout, Terry Sullivan and Jon Camp combined with the emotional and poetic words of Betty Thatcher. Our music has filled the hearts and minds of many thousands of fans around the world. It started for me, with a dream from my childhood that ended in this miracle called Renaissance! Rave Tesar, is an extraordinary man and musician I have worked with in my solo band since 1989 and with Renaissance since 2009. He has also been a very big help in keeping the band ‘alive’! Some very talented musicians have stepped into our band, and their devotion and hard work have added to the band’s touring longevity and personality.”
Renaissance is a band with a rich history unique unto themselves as progressive rock pioneers who rose from the ashes of the seminal UK rock band, The Yardbirds. Acclaimed for their unique blending of progressive rock with classical and symphonic influences, the band’s career has spanned fifty plus years spearheaded by the 5-octave voice of Annie Haslam and the masterful songwriting skills of Michael Dunford, John Tout, Jon Camp and Terry Sullivan. They are widely considered to be the band that most successfully and routinely utilized the sound of a full orchestra in their recordings.
The band has toured throughout the world and has performed at Carnegie Hall with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Royal Chorale Society. Renaissance had a top ten hit in the UK with their song “Northern Lights” that still demands airplay to this day.
Tour features special ‘In Conversation with Bill Bruford’ interviews at select stops
ProgJect–the brainchild of drummer Jonathan Mover–features an all-star band of world-renown players with histories that include Frank Zappa, Joe Satriani, Asia, Alice Cooper, GTR, Steve Vai, Edgar Winter, Spock’s Beard, The Tubes, Zappa Plays Zappa, Marillion and more.
And now, the lineup featuring Mike Keneally, Ryo Okumoto, Alessandro Del Vecchio, Pete Griffin, and Jonathan Mover is announcing a run of tour dates in the US and Canada in June of 2024 where the group will be performing the classics and epics of Genesis, YES, King Crimson and ELP, along with some Gentle Giant, Rush, Pink Floyd, U.K., Jethro Tull, Peter Gabriel, and more.
Prog legend Bill Bruford (Yes, King Crimson, U.K., Genesis) and Anil Prasad (Innerviews) will be opening up the last two shows in NYC and Glenside, PA., presenting “In Conversation with Bill Bruford”, discussing his remarkable life and career, followed by an autograph/photograph session. Guitarist Travis Larson will be opening the rest of the shows.
ProgJect’s two-plus hour show includes: “The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway”, “Firth Of Fifth”, “The Cinema Show”, “Larks Tongues In Aspic, Pts I & II”, “21st Century Schizoid Man”, “Roundabout”, “Siberian Khatru”, “Karn Evil 9: First Impression”, Have A Cigar”, “Money“, “In The Dead Of Night”, “Alaska”, “Closer To The Heart”, “Red Barchetta”, “Solsbury Hill”, “D.I.Y.”, “Aqualung”, “Locomotive Breath”, “Cogs In Cogs”, “Hell’s Bells” and more…
Tour Dates *6/20/24 Chicago, IL – Reggies *6/21/24 Hamilton, ON – Bridgeworks *6/22/24 Quebec, QC – Salle Octave Cremazie *6/24/24 Sydney, NS – Highland Arts Theatre *6/26/24 Montreal, QC – Theatre Fairmount *6/27/24 Portland, ME – Portland House of Music *6/28/24 Arlington, MA – Regent Theatre +6/29/24 NYC, NY – Sony Hall +6/30/24 Glenside, PA – Keswick Theatre * Guest Support – Travis Larson + Guest Support – Bill Bruford
Jazz Sabbath, the jazz trio helmed by Adam Wakeman (keys Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne) has announced a 17-date UK tour in 2025. This summer, the trio is scheduled to play 2 shows in Los Angeles and an Australia tour.
Jazz Sabbath have released 2 albums exploring the boundaries between jazz and the songs that defined heavy metal. Echoing already present jazz riffs and discovering new ones in the process. Their last album, Vol. 2, featured seven new jazz interpretations of Black Sabbath classics and peaked at #6 in the Billboard Jazz Albums chart.
Wakeman is currently on tour with Uriah Heep in the US, and played with Deep Purple last December, filling in for Don Airey.
Watch Jazz Sabbath – Children of the Grave (Live in Germany) Here
Jazz Sabbath tour dates
11 & 12 Jun: Los Angeles US – Catalina Jazz Club
20 & 21 Jul: Perth AU – Ellington Jazz Club
24 Jul: Brisbane AU – The Old Museum
25 & 26 Jul: Sydney AU – Pleasure Club
27 Jul: Melbourne AU – Brunswick Ballroom
11 Feb: Liverpool UK – Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
Today, SiX By SiX, the progressive power trio featuring Ian Crichton (Saga), Nigel Glockler (Saxon) and Robert Berry (3.2), release their brand new album ‘Beyond Shadowland’. To celebrate, they also announce their first ever live dates.
The band will play three shows in Germany and the Netherlands in the second half of September, prior to appearing at the renowned ProgStock festival in the USA in October.
Robert Berry says: “I cannot wait to step out on stage for the first time with Ian and Nigel. Having come together as a band originally in 2020, we have made two albums and in the process spent plenty of time together in my studio in northern California. But until now the diaries have never quite aligned for us to be able to play live. I’m hoping that these shows will be the first of many in the coming years.”
Ian Crichton adds: “Over the years I have been a regular visitor to Europe playing numerous shows with Saga and always enjoy playing to appreciative European fans. I am really excited about the prospect of SiX By SiX performing live. We’ve got enormous potential as a live band and the format of a trio really gives me the chance to stretch out on the guitar – and I fully intend to make the most of the opportunity!”
Nigel Glockler comments: “From the day I joined Robert and Ian in SiX By SiX, we were all absolutely united in wanting this to be a proper band that gets out on the road rather than just another studio project. I’m delighted that we’re now making it happen with this short run of dates and am looking forward to getting close up with fans in some smaller venues and establishing SiX By SiX as a live band.”
SIX BY SIX – 2024 LIVE SHOWS
Tuesday 17th September – Colos-Saal Aschaffenburg, Germany Wednesday 18th September – De Cacaofabriek, Helmond, The Netherlands Thursday 19th September – Boerderij Cultuurpodium, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands
Sunday 20th October – ProgStock Festival, Rivoli Theater, Williams Center, Rutherford, New Jersey, USA
For ‘Beyond Shadowland’ the band reconvened in Berry’s own Soundtek Studios in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2023 to bend, shape, hammer and caress their diverse musical talents into 11 impressive new tracks. With this album, they continue to define and build upon their unique melodic space, welding guitar-driven rock, metal and prog into a unique and powerful sonic setting.
‘Beyond Shadowland’ is available as a Limited CD Digipak, Gatefold 180g Black 2LP (featuring 4 exclusive bonus tracks) & as a Digital Album. The artwork was once again created by Rob Fowler.
Asia is absolutely delighted to announce The Heat of The Moment Tour, headlined by Asia and also featuring Focus, Martin Turner ex Wishbone Ash and Curved Air and MC’d by artist Roger Dean.
The tour will commence on 3rd July 2024 and will incorporate 21 dates across the USA and Canada.
The tour has been masterminded by rock music keyboard legend and original Asia member, Geoff Downes (Buggles, Asia, Yes).
Asia was the biggest selling album of 1982, number 1 on Billboard for 9 weeks and pioneers of the MTV era! Downes’ brand new iteration of Asia first began to evolve last Summer, at the concert held in memory of late lead singer, songwriter and bassist, John Wetton (King Crimson, Roxy Music, Uriah Heep, Wishbone Ash, UK, Asia, John Wetton Band, Icon). Downes invited old friend John Mitchell (It Bites, Frost*, Lonely Robot, Kino, John Wetton Band, Icon) and new-comer Harry Whitley to join him on stage to celebrate Wetton’s life by performing some of the classic Asia hits. Such was the uproarious reception to their set, that Downes wondered if something magical was beginning to take shape.
“And so it was that the John Wetton tribute last August really reminded me how much Asia’s music belongs on the stage. The response to it all was literally…spine-tingling.”
Downes’ new-look Asia will once again feature Mitchell on guitars and Whitley on lead vocal and bass. The quartet will be made complete by the addition of Virgil Donati (UK, Southern Sons, Steve Vai, Allan Holdsworth) on drums.
Downes continues, “With the addition of Virgil Donati & John Mitchell, two of the finest musicians in the world in their respective classes, this is almost going full circle bearing in mind their previous close collaborations with John W. Completing this circle is also the amazing Harry Whitley who absolutely floored the audience with his incredible vocal interpretation of the Asia songs that John W and I so lovingly wrote over the years.”
The tour will also feature sets from other classic acts, Focus, Martin Turner ex Wishbone Ash and Curved Air. All three support acts boast their founder bandleaders and have deservedly attained the status of legend.
Focus will be releasing a brand new studio album later in 2024. Led by the indomitable Sir Thijs van Leer, featuring original 1970’s drummer Pierre Van Der Linden, plus the virtuoso talents of Menno Gootjes on guitar and Udo Pannekeet on bass.
Martin Turner was lead vocalist, bassist, founding member and creative force behind 70’s rock music behemoth Wishbone Ash, best known for such classic albums as Argus and Pilgrimage.
Formed in 1970, Curved Air are one of the founders of progressive rock and a retrospective collection of their most influential and ground-breaking material is currently in the planning stages. Sonja Kristina (vocals) and Kirby Gregory (guitar) will treat audiences to an acoustic set featuring some of the band’s most memorable musical moments. They will be joined by violinist Grzegorz Gadziomski.
Each performance on the tour will be MC’d by legendary artist Roger Dean. For so many, Dean’s artwork is synonymous with the music of the time and stands to represent the very best of British rock music.
The final word goes to Geoff Downes, “I am convinced that John (Wetton’s) spirit is with us as we set out on this new adventure. After all, it is the Year of the Dragon – just as it was in 1982, when we released our first Asia album. It’s as though it was meant to be. Looking forward to seeing you there, my friends – bring it on!”
Heat Of The Moment 2024 Tour Dates:
Wednesday, July 3: Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, CT
Thursday, July 4: Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls, ON
Saturday, July 6: Chevalier Theatre, Medford, MA
Sunday, July 7: The Paramount, Huntingdon, NY
Tuesday, July 9: Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood, NJ
Wednesday, July 10: Count Basie Center, Red Bank, NJ
Friday, July 12: Tropicana Showroom, Atlantic City, NJ
Saturday, July 13: Wind Creek Event Center, Bethlehem, PA
Sunday, July 14: American Music Theatre, Lancaster, PA
Tuesday, July 16: Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium, Spartanburg, SC
Wednesday, July 17: Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN
Thursday, July 18: Columbia County Performing Arts Center, Evans, GA
Saturday, July 20: Hard Rock Live, Orlando, FL
Sunday, July 21: Pompano Beach Amphitheater, Pompano Beach, FL
Monday, July 22: Seminole Hard Rock, Tampa, FL
Wednesday, July 24: North Charleston PAC, North Charleston, SC
Thursday, July 25: Macon City Auditorium, Macon, GA
Friday, July 26: Saenger Theatre, Mobile, AL
Sunday, July 28: VBC Mark Smith Concert Hall, Huntsville, AL
Tuesday, July 30: The Arcada Theatre, St Charles, IL
Wednesday, July 31: The Pabst Theater, Milwaukee, WI
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