The James Hunter Six are heading back to the United States, and American soul music fans should take note. The British singer, songwriter, and GRAMMY-nominated artist dubbed “The United Kingdom’s Greatest Soul Singer” by MOJO has announced a summer tour beginning July 1st in Denver, running through Nashville, Minneapolis, Chicago, and more. The tour celebrates ‘Off The Fence’, Hunter’s eleventh studio album on Easy Eye Sound, a critically acclaimed record that also marks 40 years since his recording debut.
‘Off The Fence’ has drawn some of the strongest notices of Hunter’s career. MOJO awarded it four out of five stars, calling it “the very best of Hunter’s skill set.” Living Blues Magazine placed him in company with Lee Fields as one of the rare artists who can “sing soul music as if the 1970s simply never happened.” Relix, No Depression, PopMatters, AllMusic, and WBGO have all weighed in with praise. Twelve self-penned tracks delivered with Hunter’s customary blend of smooth vocal control, heart-worn grit, and dry wit, the album moves from the infectious blues blaster “A Sure Thing” to the beautifully moving “Here And Now” and includes a rare duet with Van Morrison on “Ain’t That A Trip,” a collaboration that alone makes ‘Off The Fence’ essential listening.
Hunter announces the tour with characteristic deadpan: “The U.S. Embassy finally granted me the official ‘Oh Go On Then If You Must’ certificate, and we’re all set. We’ve had fun knocking these tunes together (one of them is quite good), and we’re looking forward to inflicting them on you at the earliest opportunity.” That kind of wit, delivered with complete commitment, is exactly what makes Hunter one of the most distinctive and genuinely beloved figures in contemporary soul music. A performer this assured and this deep in the tradition is worth catching whenever the opportunity presents itself.
April dates in Washington DC, Sellersville, and New York City precede the summer run, which stretches through August with stops at storied rooms including the Dakota in Minneapolis, Space in Evanston, Knuckleheads in Kansas City, and The Iridium in New York. Full tour information and tickets are available at jameshuntermusic.com.
‘Off The Fence’ Tracklist:
- Two Birds One Stone
- Let Me Out Of This Love
- Gun Shy
- Believe It When I See It
- Here And Now
- Off The Fence
- Ain’t That A Trip (feat. Van Morrison)
- One For Ripley
- Trouble Comes Calling
- Particular
- A Sure Thing
- Only A Fool
The James Hunter Six 2026 U.S. Tour Dates:
April 19 – Washington, DC – The Hamilton
April 20 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theater
April 21 – New York, NY – Iridium
July 1 – Denver, CO – The Bluebird
July 2 – Vail, CO – Vilar Performing Arts Center
July 8 – Nashville, TN – Franklin Theater
July 10 – Kent, OH – Kent Stage
July 11 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark
July 12 – Milwaukee, WI – Vivarium
July 14 – Minneapolis, MN – Dakota
July 15 – Minneapolis, MN – Dakota
July 16 – Evanston, IL – Space
July 18 – St. Louis, MO – Music at Intersection
July 19 – Kansas City, MO – Knuckleheads
August 5 – Natick, MA – The Center for Arts in Natick (TCAN)
August 7 – Fall River, MA – Narrows Center
August 8 – Shelter Island, NY – Sylvester Manor
August 9 – Old Saybrook, CT – The Kate