Will Barnes Quartet 'Outside The Light' Tour

The Will Barnes Quartet:
'Outside the Light' UK Tour

 1. The Album: 'Outside the Light'

•  Release Year: 2025 (November 7th, 2025).

• Genre/Style: Contemporary Jazz, rooted in the bebop tradition but with a distinctive modern voice. The sound pays homage to jazz greats like Wes Montgomery, Pat Metheny, and Oscar Peterson.

• Themes & Inspiration: The album is a bold and expressive new chapter, deeply inspired by the evocative landscapes of Mid Wales and the Welsh Marches, local folklore, and Celtic mythology. It explores themes of light, seasons, and changing landscapes.

• Critical Acclaim: The music is described as "evocative, intelligent & varied" and showcasing a "springy deftness... Cool precision... Serious chops."

 2. The Quartet Members

The ensemble is noted for its "tight chemistry" and compelling live performances:

WILL BARNES - Gtr/Composer/Leader

JACK GONSALEZ - Piano

AIDAN THORNE - Bass

JAMES BATTEN - Drums

Musical Highlights (from the Album)

 The compositions are a mix of carefully structured pieces and looser, bebop-influenced tracks.

• "Annwn": A delicate, lyrical composition opening the album, referencing the Welsh mythological "Otherworld."

• "Devil's Bridge": A track that captures Barnes's evolving, narrative-driven composing style with rapid guitar flourishes.

• "Light of the Beacons": Features strong Celtic influences and "deft guitar explorations."

• "Otherworld": A fast-moving, celebratory track combining bebop leanings with a contemporary, episodic approach.

Tour notes:

• Following the critical acclaim of their debut album Source of the Severn, The Will Barnes Quartet returns with Outside the Light—a bold and expressive new chapter in their artistic journey. Set for release on November 7th, 2025, this album draws deep inspiration from local folklore and Celtic mythology, exploring themes of light, seasons and changing landscapes. This second collection of original music deepens the group’s exploration of the interplay between contemporary jazz improvisation and the evocative landscapes of Mid Wales and the Welsh Marches. The Will Barnes Quartet has a reputation for ambitious and engaging live projects. Their previous tour, supporting the debut album Source of the Severn, featured a unique collaboration with landscape artist Erin Hughes, who provided a live visual show that earned high praise for creating a truly immersive, multi-sensory experience. The band continues this commitment to conceptually driven music with the new album, Outside the Light.
• Led by virtuosic guitarist and composer Will Barnes, the quartet features pianist Jack Gonsalez, bassist Aidan Thorne, and drummer James Batten—an ensemble recognised for its tight chemistry and compelling, truly immersive live performances. Their sound pays homage to jazz greats such as Wes Montgomery, Pat Metheny, and Oscar Peterson, while forging a distinct voice rooted in contemporary expression.
• The quartet has performed at major UK venues and festivals, including the legendary Pizza Express Jazz Club (Soho), Hay Festival, Brecon Jazz Festival, and BBC Radio 4’s Loose Ends. Source of the Severn earned universal praise from critics, with MOJO highlighting their “springy deftness… cool precision… serious chops,” and The Jazz Mann describing the album as “evocative, intelligent… and hugely rewarding contemporary jazz.”
• Outside the Light showcases a group in full creative stride, offering audiences an immersive evening of modern jazz that’s both emotionally resonant and musically sophisticated. Audiences can expect to hear tracks such as the lyrical "Annwn" and the celebratory, bebop-infused "Otherworld." This is an essential tour for anyone seeking new, boundary-pushing British jazz.

What to expect at Tour concerts:

Experience an evening of modern jazz deeply rooted in the evocative landscapes of Mid Wales. The music, inspired by Celtic mythology and the changing seasons, provides a sophisticated and emotionally resonant journey for the listener.