Renowned British singer-songwriter David Gray is set to release his highly anticipated thirteenth studio album, Dear Life, on January 17, 2025. The album marks a bold and introspective chapter in Gray’s illustrious career. Fans can now pre-order or pre-save the album, which features the lead single ‘Plus & Minus’, available for streaming now.
As part of the album promotion, David Gray will embark on an extensive 2025 Past & Present World Tour, including a performance at New Theatre Oxford on March 18th, 2025 where fans can experience both his classic hits and new material live.
A Career in Retrospective
David Gray’s breakthrough came with his chart-topping 1998 album White Ladder, which became one of the best-selling British albums in recent history with songs such as Sail Away, Babylon, Please forgive me, and This Year’s love.
The follow-up album A New Day at Midnight in 2002 did not have the same critical acclaim yet still topped the album charts, but had popular singles The Other Side and Be Mine.
2005’s Life in Slow Motion, was praised by critics and again topped the charts, with single The One I Love a top 10 hit. These were followed up with Draw the Line (2009), Foundling (2010), Mutineers (2014), Gold in a Brass Age (2019), and Skellig (2021).
Over the years, Gray’s songwriting has evolved, cementing his position as a modern poetic storyteller. His influence has been acknowledged by major artists like Ed Sheeran, Adele, and Hozier, but Gray continues to carve his own path.
His upcoming album Dear Life has been described as his most introspective work to date, tackling themes of love, loss, faith, and acceptance. Gray has remarked that the album is the result of a creative surge, stating, “It felt like the gods of song writing were being kind. The doubting voices didn’t show up.”
Gray describes the album as “a reckoning” with both the triumphs and tragedies of his life, stating, “This record has been building up like static for years. It’s as good as anything I could possibly do.”
Lead Single: Plus & Minus
Premiered on BBC Radio 2, ‘Plus & Minus’ is an infectious pop tune that showcases Gray’s ability to craft hook-laden melodies. The song features a duet with newcomer Talia Rae, whose smoky vocals perfectly complement Gray’s reflections on a fractured relationship. Fans can watch the official music video for ‘Plus & Minus’, which is now available online.
Reflecting on the song, David Gray shared: “Some unfinished songs refuse to do the polite thing and go away. Plus & Minus was one of those, taking almost 20 years to fully resolve.”
2025 Past & Present World Tour
David Gray’s 2025 Past & Present World Tour will span 41 dates across major cities, including iconic venues such as London’s Royal Albert Hall and Dublin’s 3Arena. The tour will highlight songs from Dear Life alongside timeless hits from Gray’s celebrated career, offering fans a rich blend of past and present.
The Oxford performance at New Theatre will be a highlight for local fans. New Theatre Oxford has a history of hosting iconic artists such as Bob Dylan, Queen, and Kate Bush, making it the perfect venue for Gray’s return to the city.
Pre-Sale Information
Tickets for the Past & Present Tour will be available for pre-sale starting at 10am on September 17, 2024, with the general sale opening at 10am on September 20, 2024. Fans are encouraged to sign up for David Gray’s newsletter to access the pre-sale.
Upcoming UK Tour Dates:
Here are the confirmed UK and Ireland tour dates:
| Date | Location | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 13 March 2025 | Portsmouth | Guildhall |
| 14 March 2025 | Brighton | Dome |
| 16 March 2025 | Swansea | Arena |
| 18 March 2025 | Oxford | New Theatre |
| 20 March 2025 | Newcastle | O2 City Hall |
| 21 March 2025 | Stockton | Globe |
| 22 March 2025 | Glasgow | SEC Armadillo |
| 24 March 2025 | Nottingham | Royal Concert Hall |
| 25 March 2025 | Manchester | O2 Apollo |
| 27 March 2025 | Sheffield | City Hall |
| 28 March 2025 | Llandudno | Venue Cymru |
| 29 March 2025 | Leicester | De Montfort Hall |
| 31 March 2025 | Liverpool | Philharmonic Hall |
| 1 April 2025 | Birmingham | Symphony Hall |
| 3 April 2025 | London | Royal Albert Hall |
| 5 April 2025 | Dublin | 3Arena |
Support for the UK and European tour dates will be provided by Talia Rae.
Dear Life: A Deeply Personal Album
Dear Life reflects Gray’s personal journey over recent years, blending themes of emotional crisis, faith, love, and heartbreak. The album incorporates lush orchestral strings, horns, and woodwind arrangements, pushing Gray’s sound into new, expansive territory. Gray recorded much of the album in a makeshift studio in Norfolk, with production helmed by Ben de Vries.
The full tracklist for Dear Life includes:
- After The Harvest
- Plus & Minus
- Eyes Made Rain
- Leave Taking
- I Saw Love
- Fighting Talk
- Sunlight On Water
- That Day Must Surely Come
- Singing For The Pharaoh
- The Messenger* (exclusive to Vinyl/CD)
- Acceptance (It’s Alright)
- Future Bride
- The Only Ones
- The First Stone
- More Than Anything* (exclusive to Vinyl/CD)
