Royal Albert Hall as seen from the Drummer’s Nest
People all over the planet love to experience live music. I’ve seen it, felt it, and loved them back.
Heart is gigging a run of shows in the UK this week. After arriving in London a couple of days ago, it has been very clear to me how much I relish talking to people about music, life, and family. I’ve had the chance to connect with old and new friends and perform under fantastic circumstances.
Tonight’s concert at the world renowned Royal Albert Hall with members of the Royal Philharmonic is a rare opportunity. A chance to play at this legendary venue reminds me that there are so many great musicians and music fans all over the planet. We all experience the joy of music in our own way and I share that joy with people who feel just as passionately as I do. Our friends from Elton John’s band will be in the audience, alongside many fans and friends – some of whom traveled from the US to attend this show!
London, Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham are the lineup for this week’s run of shows. Prior to the UK, in just the first half of 2016, Heart and The Ann Wilson Thing have been heavily touring the US and Canada. The upcoming summer schedule includes the Rock Hall Three for All Tour, with Heart being joined by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and recent Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, Cheap Trick. It has been an incredible year so far full of the very best of music fans in tremendous sold out venues.
Playing internationally is one of the biggest highlights of my life and career. In the last couple of decades, I’ve had the chance to play in New Zealand, Australia, Sweden, UK, France, Japan, Mexico, Canada and Denmark and many, many cities in the USA. In every town and country, people pause their busy lives to come appreciate the music we love to play. We, in turn, get to meet and experience their culture including customs, food, cities, art, community and geography. In every concert hall, in every city where I’ve performed, I’ve been met with great experiences, fun, and friends. The booking promoters take care of us once we arrive, the hotels and their staff, the restaurants and the fans, are always wonderful and go out of their way to make us feel welcome. Memories are created on every road tour which we later share and trade like fishing stories.
At the beginning of each year I look at the upcoming schedule and wonder what it will be like. I feel anticipation when heading out for the airport and then climbing into the tour bus to go to the next string of gigs. Once a run of shows starts, it feels like jumping back into a colorful painting whose beauty I know how to enjoy, and I give myself over to the excitement and magic of performing live music. I already know something cool is going to happen, I’ll be having fun, and with the added bonus of doing what I love and what makes my spirit happy.
2016 so far has certainly been a Magical Musical World Tour!
