Ladies and gentlemen, the wait is finally over – we have a new UK tour to announce. Apologies for the delay, I wasn’t allowed to talk about it until festival season was done. But now we’re there I can let you know about the shows, and I’m pretty excited about it.

The Sleeping Souls and I will be playing shows in Cardiff, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Manchester, London, Portsmouth and Plymouth in February 2014. The shows go on general sale on Friday 30th August, the details are below. I can’t wait to get back in the saddle and around the home country again, for what I guess we’re calling the Tape Deck Heart Tour.

The venues are pretty big this time around, which I know isn’t always everyone’s favourite, but here’s the thing: I feel it’s important for me to present what I do in such a way that everyone has the opportunity to see the show. It so happens that right now, to do that, I need to play bigger places.

But don’t worry! The ticket prices are as low as I could get them, we have an absolutely insane support bill coming together (more details on that soon), and, as the Wembley show proved, we can all still come together and create a great atmosphere, singing and dancing together. Playing shows at this level is pretty insane for me, I’m pinching myself hard, and I think now is as good a time as any to say thanks to all of you for bringing me and my band and crew to this place. So: thanks.

I’ll see you all in February (if not before), with a fixed back and fire in my belly. Til then.

Thu 6th – Cardiff Motorpoint Arena
Fri 7th – Nottingham Arena
Sat 8th – Edinburgh Corn Exchange
Sun 9th – Manchester Arena
Tue 11th – Plymouth Pavillions
Wed 12th – London O2
Thu 13th – Portsmouth Guildhall

Tickets go on sale Friday 30th August from www.gigsandtours.com.