By Mark Ambrogi
Although Jethro Tull will likely never play together again, their music can still be heard.
Lead singer Ian Anderson announced the progressive rock band would dissolve in 2014. However, both Anderson and Martin Barre, who spent more than 40 years as guitarist for Jethro Tull, have bands that play a heavy dose of Tull classics.
Barre will perform at 8 p.m. Oct. 1 at The Warehouse, 254 1st Ave. SW, Carmel. Barre said this will be his band’s first show in the Indianapolis area. Barre, from England, is joined by Dan Crisp (vocals), George Lindsay (drums) and Alan Thomson (bass).
Barre, 69, joined Jethro Tull before the band’s second album in 1968. Along with Tull songs, Barre’s band setlist includes songs from his 2015 album “Back to Steel,” his sixth solo album, and a cover song or two.
“It’s a mixture,” Barre said. “I like to think if someone walks past the venue and has never heard of me or the band, they’re going to walk in and really enjoy the show. We’re as much about making new fans along with winning over the old Tull fans.”
Barre said some Tull songs are played in traditional format, but he also rearranges others to keep it fresh.
Barre said the band is in the midst of a hectic schedule.
“The gigs are great,” Barre said. “That’s the reward at the end of the day is you do a gig and you forget about the hours you’ve spent in the van. The audiences have been absolutely amazingly receptive to what we do.”
Barre said many audience members are inquisitive about what the band sounds like.
“It’s very direct and dynamic, and at the end of the night everyone is happy,” Barre said. “We’ve accumulated a lot of material. It’s really difficult to choose what we don’t play. We can switch it around on a nightly basis if we want to. The hardest part is restricting what we play.”
Barre has no desire to slow down.
“We’re looking at next year and the year after. We have big plans,” he said. “We’re going to spend six months in America for the next couple of years.”
