After releasing both The Puzzle and Snuggles to reasonable acclaim last month, prog metal gone new-wave-ambience lead Devin Townsend has announced a short and sweet UK tour for April 2022, not too far before his slot supporting Dream Theatre on their upcoming tour in May.
“2 nights at Royal Albert Hall as well as an Irish and Scottish date, Dream Theater dates after then it basically turns into a cycle of craziness with tours and festivals.” Writes Townsend on his socials, “I’m getting myself focussed and ready to sing again so fingers crossed I suppose, life changes so quickly these days so let’s see where things go:)”. With support for these shows yet to be announced, and tickets available now. Fans may have to get in pretty quickly for this reasonably modest tour.
If this isn’t enough for you though, Townsend has also released a 5-part documentary mini-series explaining the direction and surroundings for his last 2 albums. One detail he has made clear to fans is that the Puzzle and its brother Snuggles, should not be regarded as “Proper” Devin Townsend albums. But, if it’s a proper album you’re after; his new record Lightwork will be out in March. Until then, his The Puzzle has been described by him as a “more a collaborative, multimedia art project that acts as a stopgap between Empath and the next record,” as well as a “highly orchestrated” project that “gave me a chance to purge and be completely creatively free”. Snuggles, on the other hand, is “meant to be something you listen to in order to feel better… Puzzle is chaos, Snuggles is calm,” concluding, “The whole project is meant to express that I think there is a light at the end of this dark tunnel we’ve been through.”
Watch below, the first episode in the series where Townsend lays the groundwork for the project during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regarding his upcoming album, Townsend describes Lightwork as, “abstract and a stream of conscious. Still significantly far away from anything, but it’s determinedly taking shape. It’s been odd though, as every record is a reflection of the time it was conceived.” Adding, “This is clearly a weird time. It’s strange, abstract, meandering and weird. If I try to curb it and write something more disciplined, it would be a dumb rehash of stuff I’m clearly bored of. So, I follow this where it wants to go.”
Find all information on Townsend’s UK, EU, and Dream Theatre support tour, here.
Tour Dates:
13/4/22 – Olympia – Dublin
14/22 – Glasgow Academy – Glasgow
16/22 – Royal Albert Hall – London
17/22 – Royal Albert Hall – London
