Mark Knopfler, one of the most critically and commercially successful artists of all time, has announced a world tour with his band in 2019. The trek hits the U.K. and Ireland in May, with the former Dire Straits front man appearing in London at the Royal Albert Hall on 21st and 22nd May.
With the new shows added, ticket prices will be:
London – Royal Albert Hall:
Boxes - £95
Arena Floor , Stalls & 2nd Tier - £80
Front Circle - £65. Rear Circle - £60. RV and Choir - £55. Standing - £45
London O2: £60 & £50 / All other venues - £55 & £45
The ‘Down The Road Wherever’ tour commences in Barcelona in April, before arriving in the U.K. and Ireland for seven shows, including the 3Arena in Dublin on 24th May, and London's 02 Arena on May 28th.
The dates run as follows:
18th May - Leeds, First Direct Arena
19th May - Newcastle, Metro Radio Arena
21st May - London, Royal Albert Hall
22nd May - London, Royal Albert Hall
24th May - Dublin, 3Arena
26th May - Glasgow, SSE Hydro
28th May, London - O2 Arena
29th May - Manchester, Arena
30th May - Birmingham, Genting Arena
Knopfler, who will release his ninth solo studio album ‘Down The Road Wherever’ on 16th November, has always viewed touring as an integral part of the process of releasing an album, going from songwriting through recording and ending up on the road performing old and new songs.
Says Mark: "My songs are made to be performed live. I love the whole process of writing them alone and then recording them with the band, but ultimately the best part is playing them to an audience live. I enjoy the whole circus, travelling from town to town and interacting with this group of players is a total pleasure. I’m really looking forward to it."
Knopfler, who recorded ‘Down The Road Wherever’ in his west London studio, British Grove, will be performing on tour with an expanded ten-piece band most of whom have been working with him for more than two decades: Guy Fletcher (keyboards), Richard Bennett (guitar), Jim Cox (piano), Mike McGoldrick (whistle and flute), John McCusker (fiddle and cittern), Glenn Worf (bass), Danny Cummings (percussion) and Ian Thomas (drums). New additions will be Graeme Blebins (saxaphone) and Tom Walsh (trumpet)
Hailed as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, Mark Knopfler has sold in excess of 120 million albums across his Dire Straits and solo career, and many of his songs have become standards, including ‘Money For Nothing’, ‘Sultans Of Swing’, ‘Romeo & Juliet’ and ‘Walk Of Life’. He has released eight solo albums as well as recording ‘Neck And Neck’ with guitar great Chet Atkins, and collaborated with Emmylou Harris on ‘All The Roadrunning’. In addition to producing his own records Knopfler has also produced albums for Bob Dylan and Randy Newman amongst others.
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To book U.K. shows, go to: Ticketline/ Bookingsdirect or the venues direct. For Dublin, visit Ticketmaster of call 24hr Credit Card Bookings 0818 719300 (ROI) / 0844 277 4455 (NI).