Latest Prog News from across the progressive music spectrum & updated throughout January 2023.
30/01/2023: Sparks confirm all UK, European and USA tour dates
Tickets go on sale Friday, 3rd February 2023 at 10:00 am.
SOURCE: Sparks
Keep up to date with the UK dates TPA Gig Guide.
20/01/2023: Jethro Tull premiere animated video for Ginnungagap
Following on from last year’s The Zealot Gene, the band’s first album in two decades, Ian Anderson and the band return “with a 12-track record based on the characters and roles of some of the principle gods of the old Norse paganism, and at the same time exploring the ‘RökFlöte’ – rock flute – which Jethro Tull has made iconic.” Today, sees the launch of the first single from the album, Ginnungagap, accompanied by an animated video (created by Costin Chioreanu).
“The track takes inspiration from the god Ymir, the proto-being, a primeval being, who was born from venom that dripped from the icy rivers called the Élivágar and lived in the grassless void of Ginnungagap.”
‘RökFlöte’ will be available on several different formats, including two limited deluxe formats that include bonus demo material, extensive liner notes & a blu-ray featuring Dolby Atmos, 5.1 surround sound, alternative stereo mixes by Bruce Soord (The Pineapple Thief), as well as a bonus track and in-depth interview with Ian Anderson. The album will also be available digitally in the spatial audio formats Dolby Atmos & Sony 360 RA. The full list of formats are below:
Ltd Deluxe Dark Red 2LP+2CD+Blu-ray Artbook incl. 2 x art-prints
Ltd Deluxe 2CD+Blu-ray Artbook
Special Edition CD Digipak
Gatefold 180g LP+LP-booklet
Digital Album
RökFlöte will be released on 21 April 2023 via InsideOut Music.
SOURCE: Jethro Tull
19/01/2023: David Crosby ~ RIP
We are sad to report the passing of American singer, guitarist, songwriter and legend – David Van Cortlandt Crosby, who passed away on 18 January 2023, at the age of 81, and after a long illness.
In addition to his long and industrious solo career, David Crosby was a founding member of The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash, Buffalo Springfield and was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame – twice.
Tributes have flooded the internet:
Brian Wilson tweeted: “I don’t know what to say other than I’m heartbroken to hear about David Crosby. David was an unbelievable talent – such a great singer and songwriter. And a wonderful person. I just am at a loss for words…”
David Crosby ~ RIP: We will leave you with this brief video of David Crosby and Graham Nash performing with David Gilmour. Harmonies have never been so sweetly sung…
SOURCE: Various
19/01/2023: Dark Side Of The Moon 50th Anniversary Box Set release in March
Pink Floyd have confirmed the Dark Side Of The Moon 50th Anniversary Box Set, will be released through Warner Bros on 24 March 2023. “It includes CD and gatefold vinyl of the new 2023 remastered studio album and Blu-Ray + DVD audio featuring the original 5.1 mix and remastered stereo versions. The set also includes additional new Blu-ray disc of Atmos mix, plus CD and LP of ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon – Live At Wembley Empire Pool, London, 1974’, a 160-page hardback photo book, a music book, replica 7” singles and memorabilia.”
LIVE AT WEMBLEY: Also on 24 March 2023 “the CD and first ever vinyl issue of Pink Floyd’s ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon – Live At Wembley Empire Pool, London, 1974’ will be released independently. It was originally recorded in November 1974 as part of the band’s winter tour and this is the first time it will be available as a stand-alone album, with artwork featuring an original 1973 line-drawn cover by George Hardie.”
SOURCE: Pink Floyd
18/01/2023: Haken premiere Taurus video single
Haken have released the video for Taurus, the 3rd single from their seventh studio album Fauna, scheduled for 3 March 2023, via InsideOut Music.
Haken’s Ross Jennings comments: “The song’s lyrics were written roughly at the same time we all started hearing about the devastation and crisis happening in Ukraine. I was already writing the piece based on the annual migration of the wildebeests with strong references to people travelling in herds and strength in numbers. Suddenly I realised I had an anchor for what the song could be about and knowing this gives it all the more emotional weight; We’re all on some sort of journey towards salvation or enlightenment. Sometimes out of choice or not, we need to leave the past behind us and make new beginnings. We only have each other, and belief and hope are our strongest allies.”
Fauna will be available in various formats: Ltd 2CD (including instrumentals) | Standard CD | Gatefold 2LP | Digital.
SOURCE: Haken
19/01/2023: Steve Vai announces Inviolate European Tour dates
“I love touring Europe and Eastern Europe and myself and the band are just itching to get out there again to be on that stage and feel the power of the music and the audience flowing through us, so… TADA!!!”Check out our tour dates for this upcoming European run March-May 2023 in support of Inviolate. I get emotional when I see these dates, and this time I’m bringing the Hydra!
SOURCE: Steve Vai
18/01/2023: Prognosis Festival announce Saturday headliner
Festival organisers have completed the line-up for the first ever Prognosis London festival, with the announcement of Hawkwind. Joining them on the Saturday will be Leprous’ own Einar Solberg, who will feature his new solo album; Voivod celebrating their 40th anniversary, as well as PG. Lost, Astronoid, Iamthemorning, Fixation, Exist Immortal and Core Of IO.
SUNDAY LINE-UP: features headliners Riverside along with Soen, Rosalie Cunningham, Sylvaine, Ithaca, O.R.k, LizZard and Cobra The Impaler.
SOURCE: Prognosis Festival
Keep up to date with the TPA UK Gig Guide & TPA UK Festival Page
15/01/2023: Jon Anderson premieres trailer videos for Zamran
The Songs of Zamran: Son of Olias is the working title of Jon Anderson’s latest studio release which has been in development since 2000. “It will be a sequel to Anderson’s solo debut Olias of Sunhillow (1976), a conceptual progressive rock album based on the story of four alien tribes and their journey to a new home after their planet is destroyed by a volcanic eruption.”
The Songs of Zamran will be based on the creation of the structure of the planet Earth and how the planet works, with references to crystal streams and ley lines. Jon Anderson comments: “At each juncture you find about more about the mysteries of the planet earth and then more about the mysteries of the human condition, and then more about the inter-dimensional condition of this planet and how many inter-dimensional beings are out there that we don’t see. And then of course, the extension of that is the inter-galactic people that we don’t see.”
Jon Anderson also hinted that the story may cover the idea that “mother Earth is an almighty computer.”
SOURCE: Jon Anderson
12/01/2023: The Zombies share animated lyric video for new single
The Zombies will release their latest album, Different Game, on 31 March 2023. Today see the release of the lyric video for new single Dropped Reeling & Stupid…
Colin Blunstone explained: “We were traveling from Southern California to Tucson, when our tour van’s engine suddenly caught fire! We spent about 5 hours stranded in the remote Arizona desert, but thanks to our intrepid team and crew, we were rescued and made it to our next show! It was a harrowing experience, but also beautiful and surreal.”
The animated lyric video for ‘Dropped Reeling & Stupid”’, produced by Animind Studio, is inspired by the band’s desert mishap.
SOURCE: Rolling Stone
The band will be touring the UK during April & May 2023. Check out the TPA UK Gig Guide for all the dates.
12/01/2023: Transatlantic release live clip of Rose Colored Glasses
Transatlantic have released a new live version of Rose Colored Glasses, which originally appeared on The Whirlwind (2009). The live version of Rose Colored Glasses is taken from their forthcoming live release The Final Flight: Live At L’Olympia, scheduled for 17 March 2023, through InsideOut Music.
“I walked off the stage in Paris and knew it was the end of the tour, also quite possibly of the band,” Roine Stolt volunteers. “Were we to do this again we’d be really old guys. For me, it felt like the end. There was magic in the air.”
“People felt like they were witnessing the end of something in Paris,” Mike Portnoy adds. “It was TRANSATLANTIC’s equivalent of The Beatles up on the roof of their Apple HQ [in 1969]. Playing at the Olympia on a stage which had previous featured The Beatles, Hendrix and Led Zeppelin felt very significant. There was such a lot of love in the room.”
SOURCE: Transatlantic
12/01/2023: Genesis to release BBC Broadcasts 5CD & Triple LP Boxsets
“BBC Broadcasts is an extensive collection of broadcast material from one of the biggest selling recording artists of all time. Curated by Genesis founding member Tony Banks and the group’s long-time engineer and producer Nick Davis, it is available as a 53-track 5-CD set and 24-track triple LP. Both formats contain an exciting selection of previously unreleased Genesis recordings for the BBC from the period 1970-1998.”
“BBC Broadcasts includes recordings from Knebworth in 1978 and 1992, London Lyceum in 1980 and their stretch of Wembley 1987 shows, amongst many more coveted performances. BBC Broadcasts is a true treasure trove encapsulating the band’s history of performance.”
The BBC Broadcasts will be released on 3 March 2023.
SOURCE: Genesis
12/01/2023: Periphery announce new studio album for March release
Periphery have announced the release of their fourth and latest album, Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre, scheduled for 10 March via 3Dot Recordings. Today sees the band issuing the first two singles from the new record: Wildfire and Zagreus…
The band comment: We want to thank all of our dedicated fans for waiting so (im)patiently for this day to arrive. We hope you are as excited about the tracks and record as we are about bringing it to light. Without you none of this would be possible.
You can checkout the Wildfire single HERE
SOURCE: Periphery
11/01/2023: Jeff Beck ~ RIP
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jeff Beck, a pioneering and influential musician. It was announced this evening, Wednesday, 11th January 2023, that Jeff passed away after contracting bacterial meningitis. Jeff Beck was 78…
The announcement on his web page reads: “On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s passing. After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday. His family asks for privacy while they process this tremendous loss.”
Born in Wallington, England in 1944, Beck began his career as a member of the Yardbirds in the 1960s, where he established himself as a virtuoso guitarist with a unique and innovative style. He went on to form the Jeff Beck Group and release several critically acclaimed albums, cementing his place in the pantheon of rock guitar greats.
Throughout his career, Beck collaborated with a wide range of musicians and performed on some of the world’s biggest stages, earning him multiple Grammy Awards and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His influence can be heard in the work of countless musicians who have followed in his footsteps.
Beck was known for his technical skill and experimentation with different styles and sounds, constantly pushing the boundaries of what a guitar could do. He will be deeply missed by fans and fellow musicians alike.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and friends during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Jeff Beck.
SOURCE: Jeff Beck
11/01/2023: Mike Keneally to release new album in February
Mike Keneally will be releasing his new solo album The Thing That Knowledge Can’t Eat on 24 February 2023. The album features guest appearances by Steve Vai, Eric Slick, Nick D’Virgilio and more. Taken from the album comes the track Celery accompanied by
a great video Mikko Keinonen 😉
Mike Keneally comments: “This is my first new solo album in seven years – the last one was ‘Scambot 2’ in 2016, so this one has really been a long time coming. About half of the material on the new album was in the works prior to the pandemic, but the other half was created at home in lockdown in 2020 and 2021, and all the finishing touches were placed on the songs during 2022, so it’s been in the works for a while. I’ve never done so much work on an album on my own, so the learning curve was steep, but I did have help from friends all along the way, including farming out tracks to drummers who were also locked down at home. I wrote all the songs, and the lyrics of the later songs definitely reflect the strange times during which the album was finalized. A lot of my past albums have been lengthy, extended works, but this one is a tight 42 minutes, nine songs – I think it goes down pretty smooth but it travels to a lot of different places along the way. I’m extremely happy with it, and very grateful to finally be able to share it with everyone.”
The “official” wide release date for the album is 24 February 2023. Pre-ordering is available HERE.
SOURCE: Glass Onyon PR
11/01/2023: The Tangent to release live album this month
The Tangent recently announced the release of Pyramids, Stars & Other Stories: The Tangent Live Recordings 2004-2017 on the 27 January 2023 via InsideOut Music. Today, and ahead of the release of the album, comes A Crisis In Mid Life, recorded in the UK during 2012, featuring the line-up of Andy Tillison, Luke Machin, Dan Mash & Tony Latham.
Andy Tillison comments: “A Triple Live LP is the stuff of Bucket Lists, dreamed of doing one of these since I was a kid.”
The album brings together tracks from 3 line-ups of The Tangent and recorded between 2004, 2011 & 2017. “Included in its entirety is the 2004 ‘Pyramids And Stars’ concert in Germany featuring the “Roine Stolt” lineup of The Tangent playing its way through the majority of the debut ‘Music That Died Alone’ album along with (then) new material from their second album ‘The World That We Drive Through’.”
Pyramids, Stars & Other Stories: The Tangent Live Recordings 2004-2017 will be available as a 2CD Digipak, a Gatefold 3LP+2CD & LP-booklet, as well as digitally.
SOURCE: The Tangent
10/01/2023: Lifesigns announce plans for a new live and studio album
Lifesigns have announced they will be releasing a new live album, as well as working on a new studio album, the follow-up to 2021’s well received third album Altitude.
“We are currently planning a new live CD/DVD for release in 2023 along with recording our next studio album set for release later in the year,” the band tell Prog. “As part of the promotional activity we will be hitting the road in the UK and beyond from February in what is looking like being our busiest year so far.”
The band will be touring the UK during February and March, and again in June, before heading off to Germany and Netherlands & Germany.
SOURCE: Prog
Check out the TPA UK Gig Guide…
07/01/2023: Animals As Leaders postpone European tour dates
Animals As Leaders have announced their European dates have been postponed. The announcement comes just four days before the UK leg of the tour was scheduled to start.
The band posted the following message on their social media outlets: “To our fans in Europe & the UK. We are very sorry, but we will be postponing the January Parrhesia tour. We would like to apologize to everyone who has purchased tickets to see the tour and for the short notice of this news. We will be announcing the rescheduled dates in the coming weeks. All tickets purchased will still be valid for new dates.”
SOURCE: Animals As Leaders
Check out the TPA UK Gig Guide…
06/01/2023: Peter Gabriel releases first track from i/0
Today sees the first music to be released from Peter Gabriel’s forthcoming album i/o. Panopticom is accompanied by a cover image by the artist David Spriggs…
Peter Gabriel comments: “The first song is based on an idea I have been working on to initiate the creation of an infinitely expandable accessible data globe: The Panopticom,’ says Gabriel. ‘We are beginning to connect a like-minded group of people who might be able to bring this to life, to allow the world to see itself better and understand more of what’s really going on.”
Musically, Panopticom drives along powered by the engine-room of long-time collaborators Tony Levin, David Rhodes and Manu Katché, underpinned by haunting electronics from Brian Eno. Additional backing vocals from Ríoghnach Connolly of The Breath. The lyric is, in part, inspired by the extraordinary work of three groups, Forensic Architecture, Bellingcat and the Gabriel co-founded pioneering human rights organisation WITNESS.
SOURCE: Peter Gabriel
05/01/2023: Soft Machine tour dates for February
Soft Machine will be hitting the road next month with a short run of UK dates…
SOURCE: Soft Machine
Check out the TPA UK Gig Guide for these dates and many more…
03/01/2023: A.C.T to release new studio album in March
Sweden’s A.C.T will release their ninth studio album, Falling, Worldwide on 3rd March 2023. The six track album forms the third EP of a planned quartet. The first single from Falling is scheduled for February! More info soon!
SOURCE: A.C.T
02/01/2023: Damanek to release new studio album in January
Ahead of the release of Making Shore, Damanek’s third album scheduled for 13 January 2023 via GEP (Giant Electric Pea), comes A Mountain Of Sky, the opening track from the album…
“A Mountain Of Sky opens up Making Shore with a soundscape based on Tibetan drums and bells, quite apt as the piece concerns the majesty of Everest. Nature visibly triumphant and unaffected by Mankind’s comings and goings.
The idea that Everest can be ‘conquered’ is ridiculous… it simply is, has nothing to prove and is eternal, whereas Man…”
SOURCE: Damanek
01/01/2023: TPA’s ‘Some of the Best of 2022’
As is usual at this time of year, the reviewers at TPA look back on some of their favourite releases from 2022 – and there have certainly been some albums to savour.
CLICK HERE to see what captured TPA’s writers during 2022…
SOURCE: TPA
Click image to go to the TPA UK Gig Guide