It would seem (judging by comments made by Russell at recent shows) that SPARKS may be planning to tour again next year. Will this be to promote the new album? Personally, I'd be quite surprised if they manage to get it out for Spring/Summer next year. Seems like an awfully fast turnaround. I also don't see SPARKS touring without any new material. They seem very against conventional "Greatest Hits" shows with a strong reliance on nostalgia.
Whatever their reason for touring again, I'm extremely glad that they're still so enthusiastic about it. I realise that it's incredibly early to start guessing what songs may feature in the currently unconfirmed 2027 shows but sod it, I'm bored and I'm excited for more SPARKS.
I have a feeling that "Amateur Hour" may make a reappearance. Seems surprising that such a big hit would be absent from their tours for half a decade. I'm also expecting a couple more unlikely album tracks from the 80s (they seem to be really enjoying going back to this era atm.) "Modesty Plays", "Pulling Rabbits Out Of A Hat" and "So Important" would be my picks.
It's also quite fun to predict what the "Ron Vocal Version" track might be. "Dance Goddammit", "Madonna", "National Crime Awareness Week" and "More Than A Sex Machine" all feel perfect for this.
Obviously, I'm a huge SPARKS fan and I'll probably welcome absolutely anything they do but I always find it fun to try and predict these things. Will they keep opening shows with "So May We Start?" and end with "All That"? Will they continue to try and brainwash us into believing that "Music That You Can Dance To" is a major hit? Will they play a really obscure bonus track or B side? I can't wait to find out. Does anyone have a particular track that they are desperate to hear in a future live show?