RICK Wakeman and the English Rock Ensemble will play York Barbican on the second night of his 14-date autumn tour, The Return Of The Caped Crusader Part 2, on October 14.
Tickets will go on sale at 10am on Friday at https://www.yorkbarbican.co.uk/whats-on/rick-wakeman-2025.
Keyboard wizard Wakeman, 75, first teamed up with the ensemble on February 22 and 23 2023 at the London Palladium. The response from fans and critics alike was so enthusiastic that Wakeman decided to take the band on the road for a UK tour, The Return Of The Caped Crusader, in 2024, featuring the second night’s programme, 1974’s Journey To The Centre Of The Earth, combined with a first-half medley of Yes hits.
Pre-tour, he said: “I was amazed to discover that we could have sold the Palladium shows many times over and the clamour for extra shows by fans who missed out was overwhelming.
“Following the great reaction and reviews of the shows, I am really pleased that we can again perform the Classic Yes/Journey To The Centre Of The Earth Palladium programme. Who knows? If these are successful, maybe we can do the Six Wives/King Arthur show at a later date!”
Wakeman played York Barbican on February 24 on an itinerary where the response was rapturous with standing ovations at every show, prompting fans to ask: what about a repeat performance of the first night’s Palladium set list?
That wish will be granted in October 2025, when Wakeman and his ensemble will perform 1973’s The Six Wives Of Henry VIII and 1975’s The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table.
York Barbican will be the only Yorkshire venue on the October 12 to 29 tour destined for Aylesbury, Liverpool, Glasgow, Gateshead, Manchester, Birmingham, Cambridge, Northampton, Eastbourne, Bournemouth, Torquay, London and Bristol.
Wakeman will be accompanied by the same line-up as in 2024: Dave Colquhoun, guitars and backing vocals, Adam Falkner, drums, Lee Pomeroy, bass and backing vocals, and Adam Wakeman, keyboard, guitars and backing vocals. Mollie Marriott will be lead vocalist, joined by three yet-to-be-announced backing singers.
Wakeman says: “For me, historical events, myths and legends, and great stories, should never have a date stamped on them, as they will be talked about for centuries to come. Henry’s wives and King Arthur are great examples of ‘here forever’.
“Writing music for all these fascinating people was magical and thoroughly enjoyable in every aspect, and so to still be playing both of these suites of music at the age of 76 [his birthday falls on May 18] is also another remarkable milestone in my life.
“With a stunning array of musicianship surrounding me, I only wish I could be in the audience watching and listening, so all those sitting out there will have to do it for me!”