Keith Urban announces 2022 tour: ‘It’s gonna be tough to get us off the stage’

‘I never know which songs are going to resonate with the audience,’ the Grammy winner tells the Sun

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Keith Urban is finally headed out on the road in support of his 2020 LP The Speed of Now Part 1 .

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The country superstar announced the first round of North American tour dates for the trek that will kick off in Tampa, Fla., in June and run through November.

The Speed of Now World Tour will include two nights at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage — July 8 and 9.

Urban says fans can expect to hear tracks from The Speed of Now as well as some of his old favourites.

“Every night is the first time we’ve played these songs for that audience, in that moment,” the four-time Grammy winner says.  “It’s why every show is different — spontaneous and unpredictable — even for us.”

In an interview with the Sun last year, Urban, 54, said that he was most looking forward to seeing which of the new tracks would connect with fans.

“I never know which songs are going to resonate with the audience,” he said. “Sometimes, you don’t know that until you get out and start touring and then you start seeing this thing happening where songs start to grow and morph. I can’t wait for that again.”

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In a release, Urban says the long layaway means fans can expect a lengthy night of music.

“After two years we’re finally gonna get the chance to play some of the new songs we haven’t done live before.  We’ll throw in a bunch of the songs that everyone comes to hear, a couple of which we’ll rework a bit, and it’s really gonna be tough to get us off the stage,” the Blue Ain’t Your Color singer says.

“I’ve always considered myself a live performer first,” he continues. “It’s what I’ve always done and it’s what my music needs to live and breathe. Our shows are all about living in the moment. They’re a totally interactive and immersive experience where everyone can participate in whatever way they want — sing, dance, do whatever.”

Grammy nominee Ingrid Andress will open for Urban.

Tickets for all shows go on-sale Dec. 10. For a full list of dates, visit keithurban.com .

mdaniell@postmedia.com