Ian Anderson reveals Jethro Tull 50th anniversary tour

Ian Anderson
Ian Anderson

Ian Anderson has revealed he’ll celebrate Jethro Tull’s 50th anniversary next year with a UK tour.

The eight dates will get under way at Manchester’s O2 Apollo on April 3, 2018, and wrap up with a set at London’s Royal Albert Hall on April 17.

Anderson says: “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.”

A ticket pre-sale will begin on August 30 via Gigantic.com and it’s been confirmed that there will be no support act.

Anderson will take to the stage with bassist David Goodier, keyboardist John O’ Hara, guitarist Florian Opahle, drummer Scott Hammond and “surprise virtual guests.”

Jethro Tull performed their first show on February 2, 1968, at the Marquee Club in London and released their debut album This Was later that year.

Find details of all eight shows below.

Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull 50th anniversary UK tour 2018

Apr 03: Manchester O2 Apollo
Apr 05: Newcastle City Hall
Apr 06: Edinburgh Usher Hall
Apr 07: Liverpool Auditorium
Apr 09: Bristol Colston Hall
Apr 10: Birmingham Symphony Hall
Apr 11: Cambridge Corn Exchange
Apr 17: London Royal Albert Hall

Ian Anderson on Jethro Tull and the importance of looking forward

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent more than 30 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, scouts out the best deals for music fans and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and has previous written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.