Earlier this summer, John Cale released the acclaimed POPtical Illusion, his second album in just over a year. POPtical Illusion contained the same feelings of fierce and inquisitive rage that were present in Cale’s 2023 album MERCY but was the work of someone not ignoring the rage or the reasons for it and, instead, trying to turn toward the future - exactly as Cale, of course, always has. He has a sage insistence that change is yet possible. “If you’ve done things you’d wished you’ve never done,” he sings during the irrepressible “Davies and Wales,” a buoyant bit of New Wave-meets-Brian Wilson joy, “think of the things you’re going to do tonight.”
Today, Cale releases the video for “Davies and Wales”. Directed by the Emmy-winning Jethro Waters – who also directed the “STORY OF BLOOD” video from MERCY, Waters says: “Davies and Wales is such a perfect example of the kind of things that only John Cale can do all at once: upbeat, melancholic, happy, shapeshifting, nostalgic, modern, beautiful heartache. There is such a melange of feelings packed into this song - his youth in Wales, his time in NYC and California - and I wanted to try and translate that time travel in a joyful, purposeful way.”
Additionally, John Cale will return to the UK & Europe for a tour in March 2025.
John Cale has always been a musician of the times, helping to usher in titanic shifts in sound and culture. The bleeding edge drones of his Sun Blindness Music opened the path to The Velvet Underground. The frantic rock of Fear and Slow Dazzle, not to mention his production with Patti Smith and the Stooges, framed a half century of punk, post-punk, and art-rock to come. And his curiosity about the way electronics could be more than a gimmick in rock music served as an inspiration to an uncountable number of crucial scenes. Once again, on POPtical Illusion, Cale stands as a musician of these times. He looks at the orchestrated turmoil of recent history, furrows his brow in disgust, and then turns on his heels toward a future, even if he - like all of the rest of us, really - doesn’t know just what he’ll find or who exactly he’ll be there. He’s simply happy to be going toward it all.
Despite the album’s playful title, Cale’s second album in just over a year still contains the same feelings of fierce and inquisitive rage that were present in 2023 album MERCY. He remains angry, still incensed by the willful destruction that unchecked capitalists and unrepentant conmen have hoisted upon the wonders of this world and the goodness of its people. But this is not at all MERCY II, or some collection of castoffs, as throughout his career of more than six decades, Cale has never been much for repetition. His vanguard-shaping enthusiasms have shifted among ecstatic classicism and unbound rock, classic songcraft and electronic reimagination with proud restlessness.
And so, on POPtical Illusion, he foregoes the illustrious cast to burrow mostly alone into mazes of synthesizers and samples, organs and pianos, with words that, as far as Cale goes, constitute a sort of swirling hope, a sage insistence that change is yet possible. Produced by Cale and longtime artistic partner Nita Scott, POPtical Illusion is the work of someone trying to turn toward the future – exactly as Cale always has.
John Cale’s 2025 Tour Dates
John Cale has announced a UK and European tour for March 2025, with his tour beginning on March 3 in Paris, France and concluding on March 31 in Dublin, Ireland.
European Tour Dates
- Mon. Mar. 3 – Paris, FR @ Le Trianon
- Tue. Mar. 4 – Brussels, BE @ Cirque Royal
- Thu. Mar. 6 – Karlsruhe, DE @ Tollhaus
- Fri. Mar. 7 – Munich, DE @ Alte Kongresshalle
- Sun. Mar. 9 – Stuttgart, DE @ Theaterhaus
- Mon. Mar. 10 – Esch-sur-Alzette, LU @ Rockhal
- Wed. Mar. 12 – Nurnberg, DE @ Markgrafenhalle
- Thu. Mar. 13 – Leipzig, DE @ Haus Auensee
- Fri. Mar. 14 – Berlin, DE @ Columbiahalle
- Sun. Mar. 16 – Hamburg, DE @ Laeiszhalle
- Mon. Mar. 17 – Utrecht, NL @ TivoliVredenburg
- Tue. Mar. 18 – Cologne, DE @ Carlswerk Victoria
UK Tour Dates
- Thur. Mar 20 – Nottingham, UK @ Playhouse
- Fri. Mar 21 – London, UK @ Royal Festival Hall
- Sun. Mar. 23 22 – Birmingham, UK @ Town Hall
- Mon. Mar. 24 – Glasgow, UK @ Pavilion
- Tue. Mar. 25 – Newcastle, UK @ New Tyne Theatre
- Thu. Mar. 27 – Bexhill on Sea, UK @ De La Warr Pavilion
- Sat. Mar. 29 – Cardiff, UK @ Wales New Theatre
- Sun. Mar. 30 – Liverpool, UK @ Philharmonic Hall
- Mon. Mar. 31 – Dublin, IE @ Vicar Street
Tickets for the tour will go on sale on September 12, 2024.
A New Music Video
John Cale has also released a new music video for his single “Davies and Wales,” directed by the Emmy-nominated Jethro Waters. The video is a visual representation of the song’s themes of time travel and the passage of time, with images of Cale’s youth in Wales, his time in NYC and California.
“Davies and Wales is such a perfect example of the kind of things that only John Cale can do all at once: upbeat, melancholic, happy, shapeshifting, nostalgic, modern, beautiful heartache,” says Waters. “There is such a melange of feelings packed into this song – his youth in Wales, his time in NYC and California – and I wanted to try and translate that time travel in a joyful, purposeful way.”
A Musician of These Times
Cale’s music has always been ahead of its time. From his work with The Velvet Underground to his solo career, he has consistently pushed the boundaries of rock music. His new album, POPtical Illusion, is no different. It is a reflection of the times we live in, and a testament to Cale’s enduring talent and creative vision.
John Cale is a musician who is not afraid to experiment, to push boundaries, and to challenge the status quo. He is a true artist, and his music is a gift to the world. The video for “Davies and Wales” is a beautiful and poignant reminder of this fact. It is a must-see for any fan of John Cale, and any fan of great music and video artistry.
Wrapping Up the Present to Embark on a New Future
The music video for “Davies and Wales” is a perfect example of how John Cale continues to evolve and experiment as a musician. It’s a reminder that Cale is not just a musician of the past, but a musician of the present and the future. The new album, POPtical Illusion, is a testament to Cale’s enduring talent and creative vision. His upcoming tour promises to be a vibrant and unforgettable experience, bringing Cale’s music to fans around the world. The tour marks a new chapter in Cale’s career, one that is filled with hope, energy, and excitement. As Cale continues to create and innovate, he is sure to continue to inspire generations of musicians for years to come.
