Described on Plant’s website as drawing inspiration “from the roots music of Mississippi, Appalachia, Gambia, Bristol and the foothills of Wolverhampton,” the Sensational Space Shifters includes his Band Of Joy cohort Patty Griffin along with Strange Sensations alumni Justin Adams on guitar, keyboardist John Baggott and bassist Billy Fuller, plus drummer Dave Smith and Juldeh Camara.
So far only a few upcoming shows have emerged. Although originally announced as debuting at the United Kingdom’s WOMAD Festival in July, U.K. dates announced for Plant’s new band are Gloucester’s Guildhall May 8, London’s HMV Forum July 12, and WOMAD in Malmesbury July 29.
Plant and the band are also scheduled to play the Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival in Clarksdale, Miss., Aug. 11.
As with everything Plant-related, tickets for the legendary rock star and his new band are in high demand. Described as a “warm-up gig,” the Gloucester show sold out in minutes according to the BBC, which reported the £35 ($57) tickets quickly ended up on Internet auction sites with bids starting at £300 ($485).
However, buying tickets to see Plant at Gloucester might be risky business. The venue posted on its Facebook page that “It’s very likely you won’t get in, plus you’ll be supporting the touts, who we’re now working to find and ban.”
Tickets for the HVM Forum show go on sale May 4. For more information about Sensational Space Shifters, click here for Robert Plant’s website.