Well, here we are, announcing a lengthy UK tour for April and May 2026 – The Curiosity Tour, no less. It’s all about looking back on our 24-album journey that’s taken us from 1968 right up to now, alongside highlighting our latest album Curious Ruminant.

It was January of 1968 when we started gigging regularly at the legendary Marquee Club in London. By late the following year, with things picking up steam, we were out there playing theatres and concert halls across the country – much like we’re doing today, give or take a few grey hairs.

For me, one advantage of a UK tour is that I can often travel by train much of the time and get to see both countryside and cityscapes alike from the tranquil vantage point of a railway carriage. Michael Portillo with a flute, you might say… Albeit less colourful, since my wardrobe is limited to various shades of grey in order to blend in perfectly with a dank and dreary rainy Monday afternoon at a railway station near you.

Our audiences may have become senior citizens in some cases but, being young at heart, they still venture out to see a bunch of old guys having fun. Which, indeed, we are with our young, nimble and lightning-fast fingers, skittering up and down fretboards and keys with apparent ease and facility. Just don’t ask us to put out the recycling or programme the TV controller.

Joining me will be the faithful crew: David Goodier on bass, John O’Hara on keyboards, Scott Hammond behind the drums, and our new lad Jack Clark on guitar.

Meanwhile, I’ll be keeping up my Christmas tradition with Ian Anderson Presents Christmas With Jethro Tull in December – Bath Abbey on the 18th, Peterborough Cathedral on the 19th, and Southwark Cathedral on the 20th.

For The Curiosity Tour 2026, pre-sale kicks off at 9am on May 8, with general sale from the venues at 9am on May 9. And for the Christmas shows, tickets go on sale at 9am on May 2. Hope to see you there – let’s make some memories.