IAN Anderson and the Jethro Tull band - one of the world’s most successful and enduring ‘progressive rock’ bands - have announced that they will return to the road with a new tour in 2020.

The Prog Rock Years Tour 2020 will stop off at Reading’s The Hexagon theatre on Monday, October 12.

The tour will draw heavily on material from Jethro Tull’s more ‘prog’ albums, much of it focussing on the early ‘heavy hitters’ of the Tull catalogue - classic albums including Stand Up, Benefit, Aqualung, Thick As A Brick, Passion Play and even a touch of Thick As A Brick 2 from 2012.

From the outset, Tull’s frontman Ian Anderson created the distinctive persona of the tousled flute-playing minstrel, balanced on one leg and playing music with an historical slant.

The band formed in Blackpool, Lancashire, in 1967, initially playing blues rock and jazz fusion before developing their sound to include hard rock and folk rock.

They have pioneered the sound of contemporary folk and are widely regarded as one of the most important British bands still on the circuit.

Jethro Tull continues to hold a unique place in the hearts of progressive music fans and these albums are the focus of that passion.

Ian Anderson will be accompanied by Tull band musicians David Goodier on bass, John O’Hara on keyboards, guitarist Joe Parrish and Scott Hammond on drums.

The show will be enhanced by full scale video projection.

Ian said: “Dusting off many older ‘progressive’ songs amongst my earliest attempts to experiment outside the blues repertoire we began with has proved hugely enjoyable.

“Along the way, over the last 50 years, there have been a good few pieces that still strongly resonate with me today on either a musical or lyrical level. Hopefully both.

“Some are really tricky to play; some might sound that way but fall under the fingers quite naturally although the overall arrangements require feats of memory.

“Test my marbles; come to the party.”

Tickets for all 11 dates across the UK - which will also take in Bath’s The Forum, Brighton Dome and London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire - went on sale yesterday morning, Wednesday, November 6.

To buy tickets for the Reading show, go online to www.readingarts.com/hexagon, call the box office on 0118 960 6060 or go to www.gigantic.com/jethro-tull-tickets.