JAKE BUGG has set himself up for double duty with the announcement of the continuation of his Your Town tour.
The sold-out tour last year saw Jake take to the stage in 15 of the UK’s smaller towns in an effort to bring high-profile shows to struggling venues.
The tour followed the release of his sixth album, A Modern Day Distraction, but now he’s setting out on another leg, which includes a date in Reading.
The tour will see him taking on two sets a night, one electric, one acoustic, performing music from across his nearly 15-year career.
Of the new leg of the tour, Jake said: “It’s great opportunity to really mess around with material, especially stuff we haven’t played for a while, while also being a bit more dynamic with the show and mix it up.
“I’ve always loved trying new types of music, experimenting with new genres, and on the last record I went back to my original DNA a bit more, which has been great.
“Especially working with artists like CamelPhat and doing stuff which is more from the dance world, which has been a new experience for me– something I never thought I’d do.
“So with the new album it’s been really enjoyable to go back to my roots, but I’m still working at blending a more traditional kind of music with a modern approach.”
Speaking of his aim to support venues with the tour, he explained: “It’s so important to invest your time into especially smaller venues– places and parts of the country where people aren’t always able to go and play, particularly at the moment.
“And in Europe it’s really not as easy as it used to be: to take over your equipment, there’s so many logistical boundaries now, it’s just becoming increasingly difficult for bands.
“In the UK music is one of our great exports, and new musicians being able to branch out, perform in different parts of the world, and get that exposure is something we need to look after.”
After years touring himself, however, he admits it’s not easy once you’re established, either: “Too much time on the road really starts to have a mental and physical impact.
“Too much of anything can– being in the studio can drive you mad as well– so having a good balance is important.
“What keeps it fresh is having no idea what the next thing you’re gonna make is; and that’s so exciting– picking up that instrument or writing that melody and just seeing what comes out, what new ideas emerge.”
As for what to expect in the upcoming tour: “I always love playing the new material,” Jake explains.
“Because it’s still fresh, but the older stuff is still a joy to play; there’s a really nice moment when we play the song Broken.
“Hearing people sing along– it really helps, especially with the higher notes– but that’s a song I wrote in my bedroom at the age of 15, it’s an incredible feeling.”
The new leg of Jake Bugg’s Your Town tour kicks off right here in Reading on Wednesday, June 18, at The Hexagon.
Full details and tickets are available via: jakebugg.com/events
