Even if you weren’t aware of the incredible work that Ian Anderson does, after hearing the multitude of awards he’s gained over the years, you would know that he is an extremely talented man. The multi-instrumentalist, originally the flautist and guitarist for the British rock band Jethro Tull, absolutely blew me away with his live performance. Of course musicianship is a skill, and being a master at any one instrument is impressive, but watching Anderson switch from guitar, to flute, to keys, to drums, and back to voice was an incredible experience that showcased the most genuine talent.
With such a variety of tracks to chose from for his set list, it was wonderful to hear Anderson play from all aspects of his career, from collaborative tracks, to instrumental pieces, to his own solo material, and even the odd track from Jethro Tull. He opened the show with the title track from his debut album, Walk Into Light, and had everyone singing along right away . The way that he worked solo, and with his band to create a raw rock sound was incredible to witness. He played several tracks from his new album, Homo Erraticus, which was awesome to hear live as it’s so new. As well as being one of the most skilled musicians I’ve encountered, he is a wonderful performer, and entertained the audience from start to finish.