Moody Blues, Alan Parsons, Dave Mason to play cruise festival

Moody Blues' Justin Hawyward and John Lodge
Moody Blues' Justin Hawyward and John Lodge (Image credit: Kevin Winter: Getty)

The Moody Blues, Alan Parsons, Dave Mason, Jefferson Starship and many more acts are set to perform at the Moody Blues Cruise festival in January 2018.

The event’s fourth edition, dubbed Sur La Mer, will also host The Orchestra, Little River Band, Ambrosia, Richie Furay, Strawbs, Caravan, Lighthouse, Ides Of March, Shawn Phillips, Mike Dawes, Randy Hansen, Mellow Yellow and special guests Young Dubliners over the five nights on the Celebrity Cruise’s Celebrity Eclipse vessel, which sails from Miami on January 2.

More artists are still to be announced.

Moody Blues frontman Justin Hayward says: “It’s such a great opportunity to have all the fans together. I think the cruises are probably more about the people who love the Moody’s music getting together – I think we’re kind of incidental to it.

“I’m looking forward to it – it’s always fun. And it’s good to be with other artists. So much these days we’re the only artists on a bill and you never get to meet other people, but on the cruises you do. And there’s some really great people this year that I’m really looking forward to seeing again.”

The voyage will include stops at George Town, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico, and will feature Q&A sessions, meet-and-greets and exclusive showcase events for fans. The Moody Blues will also throw a New Year’s party in Miami before the cruise trip commences, with a complimentary concert and football-watching party planned for cruise ticket holders.

Various payment plans and VIP packages are available. For more information, visit Moodies Cruise’s website.

Meanwhile, Justin Hayward will play 12 intimate shows across the UK next month, before hitting the US for a run of Moody Blues shows over October and November.

Justin Hayward Stage Door Tour UK dates

Sep 09: Truro Hall For Cornwall
Sep 10: Christchurch Regent Centre
Sep 11: Cardiff St. David’s Hall
Sep 14: Chatham Central Theatre
Sep 16: Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre
Sep 17: Guildford G Live
Sep 18: New Brighton Floral Pavilion
Sep 20: St. Albans Alban Arena
Sep 21: Gateshead Sage
Sep 22: Perth Concert Hall
Sep 24: Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
Sep 25: Isle Of Wight Shanklin Theatre

Moody Blues US tour dates 2016

Oct 07: Las Vegas Venetian Theatre, NV
Oct 08: Las Vegas Venetian Theatre, NV
Oct 12: Las Vegas Venetian Theatre, NV
Oct 14: Las Vegas Venetian Theatre, NV
Oct 15: Las Vegas Venetian Theatre, NV
Oct 20: Fargo Scheels Arena, ND
Oct 21: Red Wing Treasure Island Resort & Casino, MN
Oct 22: Davenport River Center, IA
Oct 21: Red Wing Treasure Island Resort & Casino, MN
Oct 22: Davenport River Center, IA
Oct 25: Cedar Rapids Paramount Theatre, IA
Oct 26: Rockford Coronado Performing Srts Center, IL
Oct 27: Appleton Fox Cities PAC, WI
Oct 30: Toledo Stranahan Theater, OH
Nov 01: Indianapolis Old National Centre, IN
Nov 03: Merrillville Star Plaza Theatre, IN
Nov 05: Milwaukee Theatre, WI

Ten Strange Reasons To Love The Moody Blues

Former TeamRock news desk member Christina joined our team in late 2015, and although her time working on online rock news was fairly brief, she made a huge impact by contributing close to 1500 stories. Christina also interviewed artists including Deftones frontman Chino Moreno and worked at the Download festival. In late 2016, Christina left rock journalism to pursue a career in current affairs. In 2021, she was named Local Weekly Feature Writer of the Year at the Scottish Press Awards.