Ian Anderson, the flautist/singer/personality of the band Jethro Tull, has announced a series of American tour dates in support of his newest concept, the “Jethro Tull Rock Opera.” Comprised of songs both new and old, the “rock opera” tells the story of the real Jethro Tull through music.

For those unaware, the band is named after an agriculturalist, who lived from 1674-1741. Tull’s major accomplishment was the invention of the “seed drill” that distributed seeds into even rows, and his device was implemented in farms worldwide. In doing so, Jethro Tull helped to ushed in the agricultural revolution.

The tour will include re-worked renditions of Jethro Tull favorites mixed with new tunes penned by Anderson, and will stop at 8 select dates this November. Here’s the full announcement and tour schedule:

Ian Anderson celebrates the life and times of the English Agricultural inventor, Jethro Tull, with the announcement of a new series of concert tours beginning September 2015.

The shows tell the story of the original Jethro Tull’s life, reimagined as if in the near future and illustrated with Anderson’s best-known songs from the rock band Jethro Tull repertoire.

The performance is in a quasi-operatic structure with virtual guests on video and some  additional newly-written songs to round off the elements of the story. 

Heavy Horses, Farm On The Freeway, Songs From The Woodsit alongside Aqualung, Living In The Past, Wind-Up, A New Day Yesterday, The Witch’s Promise, Locomotive Breath and other favourites – often with slightly re-written lyrics to better tell the tale.

Ian Anderson Jethro Tull Rock Opera US Tour Dates:

11/1 — Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre
11/3 — Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre
11/5 — Boston, MA @ CITI Performing Arts Center
11/6 — Brooklyn, NY @ Kings Theatre
11/7 — Philadelphia, PA @ Academy of Music
11/8 — Mashantucket, CT @ Foxwoods Resort Casino
11/10 — Port Chester, NY @ Capitol Theatre
11/11 — Newark, NJ @ New Jersey Performing Arts Center