Classical-pop crooner Josh Groban recently unveiled his plans for a special concert tour that will lead up to the release of his latest studio album, “Illuminations.” The release is set for November 15 and will be preceded by four shows in two states.
The bi-coastal pre-tour begins in California with events on November 6 at McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, November 7 at Balboa Theatre in San Diego and November 10 at The Granada in Santa Barbara. After his three-show run on the West Coast, Groban will return to the East Coast for a single November 13 event at the Shubert Theater in New Haven, CT.
Presales for the special concert tour begin today, October 21, and public onsales will follow tomorrow, October 22. Ticket prices start around the $50 mark, according to current tour venue listings. As a special offer, “Illuminations” is included in the cost of tickets and will be shipped to concert-goers upon its release.
This is the first headline tour for Groban in three years and comes as a result of Groban wanting to involve his fans in what he calls “the first step” of producing a major tour.
“Going on tour involves so many steps to get ready for what people eventually see as the big production. The first step is simple. I sit down in my living room at the piano and play,” the 29-year-old singer-songwriter explained on his official Web site. “I try to explore the songs in a different light and also just practice as much as possible to get the songs in my hands and voice. I also think about playing songs I haven’t played on tour in years. And then I might bring in my guitarist to work more songs out.”
Groban continued, “All of this happens before we move it into a more formal rehearsal space with the full band and orchestra. However, this time around, I want to try something different. I want to bring my Living Room to YOU. I want the ‘first step’ for THIS tour to be in front of you.”
It is unclear when Groban plans to follow this four-concert series with a full-length tour, or how long that tour will be. The multi-Platinum artist last headlined the 2007 Awake Tour, supporting his late 2006 release “Awake.”
The two-leg venture visited more than 70 markets around the world and earned Groban a No. 5 debut on TicketNews’ exclusive Top Events Rankings during the week ending April 29, 2007.
Josh Groban itinerary:
(Dates are subject to change.)
| November 6 | Palm Desert, CA | McCallum Theatre |
| November 7 | San Diego, CA | Balboa Theatre |
| November 10 | Santa Barbara, CA | The Granada |
| November 13 | New Haven, CT | Shubert Theater |
