This week's round-up: New music from Laurence Jones, Jack J Hutchinson and P.O.D

Laurence Jones Returns with First Solo Project Album ‘On My Own’ and Premieres Video for title track and Announces UK Tour.

Award- Winning Blues Rock guitarist and Songwriter Laurence Jones makes a powerful return with his most personal project to date, his first ever solo acoustic album. On My Own due for release January 23rd, 2026, is an intimate record that explores recent health struggles and takes him back to his roots where it all began.

The album marks a new chapter for Jones, following what he describes as the most difficult year of his life battling Crohn’s disease. Written during a flare up, On My Own reflects raw truths about living with this invisible illness, love, and life on the road. For Jones, it represents both survival and reinvention.

“I found a way to keep going by going solo” Jones explains “Writing about my struggles and my blues, this is almost a rebrand, something new, just me and my acoustic guitar. It’s intimate, heartfelt and takes me back to where it all began”

Dr’s orders meant Jones had to re-think his high energy stage performances, trading in constant movement for a setup that allows him to sit and play. The change sparked a new creative path that’s raw and organic, offering a side to him fans have not seen before. Living with Crohn’s disease has shaped not only his music but also his perspective, as an ambassador for Crohn’s & Colitis UK, Jones hopes the album will resonate with others facing this disease.

The First single aptly named ‘On My Own’ became the driving force behind the album. “It was the only way I could see myself touring while suffering with my Crohn’s disease” Jones shares. “I’d lost three stone in weight and was fatigued and in pain whilst recording this track, but I didn’t want this disease to get in the way of my dreams”. For Laurence, the song was both an outlet and a lifeline. “I really did feel the blues inside me as I was writing and recording this and hope that raw emotion comes across.”

Watch video to On My Own here https://youtu.be/64Ss1F0ObXQ

Determined to do things differently, he set up his own label Ron Records, named in loving memory of his grandad and personally booked his upcoming tour. Every show has been carefully planned to balance performance with his health needs bringing audiences a deeply personal and intimate show.

On My Own is a story driven record, weaving traditional blues with honest autobiographical story telling. His classical guitar training begun at age 8, is fused with his lifelong passion for the blues and playing homage to some of his blues heroes like Robert Johnson and Lightnin Hopkins.

Laurence calls this release one of his proudest moments, fully independent and created entirely on his own terms.

The album is co-produced by acclaimed musician and award-winning producer Wayne Proctor. “Wayne was the perfect collaborator for this project,” Laurence shares. “He understood exactly what this record means to me and helped me explore my voice in a way I never have before. Wayne has won many British blues awards and worked with some of the best British blues’ talent the UK has to offer. Working with his him was brilliant, he has a real understanding for the blues, and this comes through on the authenticity of the record.”

The live shows will feature support from Laurence’s fiancée, Amy Eftekhari. The two first met at Laurence’s album launch in support of Crohn’s & Colitis UK, where they performed together on stage in 2015. Since then, fans have often asked when the pair would reunite musically. “Amy has been the biggest support in my life and career,” Laurence says. “She put her own music on hold to help me, but she has always been an incredible artist in her own right. She’s sung backing vocals with legends like Beverley Knight and Joss Stone, and now it’s finally her time to shine. I couldn’t be more excited for everyone to hear her.”

Laurence and Wayne Proctor have also produced Amy’s debut EP, which will be released to coincide with her support slot on the tour. Among its highlights is a special love song written and performed by Laurence and Amy together, making this project both a personal and artistic milestone for the couple.

Despite health challenges, Laurence Jones has built an extraordinary career, #1 on the official UK Jazz & Blues chart with his last release, Voted in the top 10 best blues rock guitarists in the world by Music-Radar. Supported icons including Sir Ringo Star, Van Morrison, the late Jeff Back, Johnny Winter and most recently Status Quo.

Jones has sold over 50,000 albums worldwide and is inducted into the British Blues Awards Hall of Fame. This time around, Jones is less focused on chart success but about returning to the music that first inspired him, stripped down, honest, and raw, Songs shared in their truest form. Just Laurence, his story, and the Blues.

LAURENCE JONES - SOLO TOUR 2026

JAN 23: LONDON - HOLBORN, PIZZAEXPRESS LIVE

JAN 25: POYNTON - BLUE FUNK BLUES CLUB

JAN 31: LLANDUDNO - THE MOTORSPORT LOUNGE

FEB 6: EDINBURGH - BANNERMANS

FEB 7: NEWCASTLE - THE CLUNY 2

FEB 15: WORCESTER - THE MARRS BAR

FEB 21: BRIDPORT - ARTS CENTRE

FEB 26: OXFORD - THE BULLINGDON

MARCH 4: ARNHEM - LUXUR LIVE (NL)

MARCH 27: ALDERSHOT - WEST END CENTRE

MARCH 28: NEW MILTON - FOREST ARTS CENTRE

APRIL 10: DUDLEY - THE LAMP TAVERN

APRIL 11: SHEFFIELD- THE GREYSTONES

APRIL 14: COULSDON - THE TUESDAY NIGHT MUSIC CLUB

APRIL 18: RIPLEY - TOWN HALL

APRIL 23: DERBY - THE FLOWERPOT

APRIL 26: COLCHESTER - ARTS CENTRE

MAY 8: TOTNES - THE BARREL HOUSE

MAY 9: TRURO - OLD BAKERY STUDIOS

MAY 15: YORK - THE FULFORD ARMS

MAY 17: MARKET RASEN - HOPE TAVERN

MAY 22: LEAMINGTON SPA - TEMPERANCE

MAY 23: LEAMINGTON SPA - TEMPERANCE

MAY 29: WINCHESTER - THE ARC

MAY 31: CARDIFF - ACAPELLA STUDIO

JUNE 9: RAMSGATE. RED ARROW MUSIC CLUB

JULY 24: DISEWORTH BLUES CLUB

TOUR TICKETS HERE https://www.laurencejonesmusic.com/live

Jack J Hutchinson Releases Single and Premieres Lyric Video for I Will Follow You

Jack J Hutchinson releases the lyric video for ‘I Will Follow You’, the second single from his new live album ‘Battle Scars’. The melodic rock ballad was recorded live at the Grace, London, on his recent tour and features Greg Smith on bass and Phil Wilson on drums.

“I Will Follow You is the most personal song I’ve written” Hutchinson reveals “I originally wrote it in response to my dad’s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s and the struggles he went through. It is one of those songs that seems to have connected with a lot of people who have had a similar experience and when we perform it live it seems to bring people together. Sometimes it’s difficult to sing it live as it is a really emotional subject matter, but it’s about taking what was a really tough experience and turning it into something positive.”

Jack and his band are currently on tour with FM before their own headline dates throughout October.

I Will Follow You – OUT NOW : https://earache.lnk.to/IWillFollowYou

Battle Scars Tour Dates

27 September - Live Rooms, Chester *

1 October - The Appleyard, Sittingbourne

8 October - The Bullingdon, Oxford

9 October - The Louisiana, Bristol

10 October - The Black Heart, London

11 October - Carlisle Blues Rhythm and Rock Festival

12 October - Bannerman’s, Edinburgh

13 October - Night and Day Cafe, Manchester

14 October - Ivory Blacks, Glasgow

17 October - The Flying Circus, Newark

Full list of dates: https://jackjhutchinsonmusic.com/2025/05/02/live-album-launch-tour/

The album captures Hutchinson and his power trio, featuring Greg Smith on bass and Phil Wilson on drums, in full flight across 10 tracks taken from his first four solo albums. It was recorded at two dates earlier this year, at the Grace in London and the Tuesday Night Music Club in Coulsdon.

‘Battle Scars’ will be released on 3rd October 2025

Pre-order the album on vinyl, CD and digital on Eyesore Merch: https://eyesoremerch.com/bands/j/jack-j-hutchinson/

Website: jackjhutchinsonmusic.com

Platinum selling superstars P.O.D. – Sonny Sandoval (vocals), Marcos Curiel (guitar), and Traa Daniels (bass) – are back and with a twist. They are sharing a surprising but incredible cover of a classic.

Today, they have shared their rendition of The Beatles’ iconic track “Don’t Let Me Down.” (LISTEN HERE)

“As cliché as it may sound, we’ve always admired The Beatles from the very beginning of our songwriting journey,” says Curiel. “Their melodies, the hooks, and fearless experimentation inspired us to craft our own take on the classic “Don’t Let Me Down,” with nothing but the utmost respect. Thank you for helping lay the foundation of what we all know today as rock ‘n roll, pop, and metal.”

P.O.D. will hit the road this fall supporting Daughtry and Seether. All dates are below. Get tickets HERE.

Curiel is eager to get back to the road, saying, “Touring is a gift, a blessing to share P.O.D.’s music live with the world. Absolutely nothing compares to the energy of a crowd feeling and vibing every note. We’re ecstatic to join an amazing lineup that embodies the true essence of rock ‘n’ roll fusing the familiar with the new – a real evolution. We are proud to be part of it. Let’s jam, let’s sing, let’s rock.”

P.O.D. ON TOUR WITH DAUGHTRY + SEETHER

Oct 1 – The Dome, Virginia Beach VA

Oct 3 – Hard Rock Live, Atlantic City NJ

Oct 4 – Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park NJ

Oct 5 – Wind Creek Event Center, Bethlehem PA

Oct 7 – MGM Music Hall at Fenway, Boston MA

Oct 8 – Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater, Bridgeport CT

Oct 10 – Rose Music Center, Huber Heights OH

Oct 11 – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre, Sterling Heights MI

Oct 12 – Pier Six Pavilion, Baltimore MD

Oct 15 – Everwise Amphitheater, Indianapolis IN

Oct 17 – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre, Charlotte NC

Oct 18 – Red Hat Amphitheater, Raleigh NC

Oct 20 – Covelli Centre, Youngstown OH

Oct 22 – Walmart AMP, Rogers AR

Oct 24 – FirstBank Amphitheater, Franklin TN

Oct 25 – Chastain Park Amphitheatre, Atlanta GA

Oct 31 – The Midland Theatre, Kansas City MO

Nov 1 – Filmore Auditorium, Denver CO

Nov 5 – The Factory, Chesterfield MO

Nov 6 – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom, Chicago IL

Nov 8 – UPMC Events Center, Moon Township PA

Nov 9 – Appalacian Wireless Arena, Pikeville KY

Nov 11 – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, Irving TX

Nov 12 – 713 Music Hall, Houston TX

Nov 14 – Charlotte Country Fair, Port Charlotte FL

Nov 15 – FTL War Memorial, Fort Lauderdale FL

In May 2024, P.O.D. released their 11th album VERITAS via Mascot Records. The album was a Top 10 hit across the U.S. Billboard Current Hard Rock, Current Rock, and Current Alternative Album charts, and has already surpassed 65 million total streams. The band has released several singles from that album including “DROP”, “AFRAID TO DIE”, “I GOT THAT”, and “I WON’T BOW DOWN”. “DROP” features a vicious vocal feature from Lamb of God singer Randy Blythe, while the equally eruptive single “AFRAID TO DIE,” features Jinjer vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk. The album picked up major playlisting across Spotify Apple, Amazon Music, Pandora, and Deezer, and stream rolled support from SXM Octane, Loudwire, BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, Kerrang! Radio, Metal Hammer, Knotfest, INKED, Revolver and more.