Heavy metal icon, multi-platinum songwriter and pioneering guitarist K.K. Downing has announced a long-awaited U.K. tour with his band KK’S PRIEST
A founding member of British hard rock and metal titans JUDAS PRIEST, Downing helped bring harmonized lead guitars into the mainstream and co-wrote timeless hits like “Living After Midnight”, “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'” and “Breaking The Law”. MTV declared JUDAS PRIEST the second “Greatest Metal Band” of all time (only behind BLACK SABBATH). During Downing‘s 40-year tenure, PRIEST sold more than 50 million albums, with his aggressive musicality and distinctive Flying V guitar influencing generations of guitarists to this day.
Now Downing returns with an October U.K. headlining tour. The “Priests, Killers & Witches” tour starts at the O2 Institute in Birmingham on Saturday, October 7, and visits London, Glasgow, Manchester and Nottingham.
Following on from their hotly anticipated debut show at KK’s Steel Mill in Wolverhampton in July, headlining major European festivals such as Alcatraz (Belgium),Time To Rock (Sweden) and Leyendas Del Rock (Spain),KK’S PRIEST brings their full production tour and a setlist that comprises of tracks from the band’s debut album, “Sermons Of The Sinner”, brand new music, and JUDAS PRIEST classics.
“It was frustrating not being able to play live during Covid, so it’s very exciting to finally be going out on tour,” said Downing. “We have also recorded a new KK’S PRIEST record, so now we have the opportunity to pick and play songs from both our albums and also from my legendary catalog.”
Special guests on all dates will be former IRON MAIDEN vocalist Paul Di’Anno who will be performing a full set of classics straight from the first two MAIDEN records and opening up the bill are the amazing all-female Swiss buzz band BURNING WITCHES.
“It’s killer to have Paul Di’Anno on the bill with us,” Downing continued. “This tour becomes a somewhat historical event, with two major players in PRIEST and MAIDEN in years past. We also look forward to having BURNING WITCHES joining us on these dates.”
Downing is joined in KK’S PRIEST by former JUDAS PRIEST singer Tim “Ripper” Owens, along with guitarist A.J. Mills (HOSTILE),bassist Tony Newton (VOODOO SIX) and drummer Sean Elg (DEATHRIDERS, CAGE).
“Now it’s time for the world to see KK’S PRIEST live,” Downing enthused. “This three-band package is fantastic, and we can’t wait to see our fans in the U.K.”
KK’s PRIEST “Priests, Killers & Witches” tour dates:
Oct. 07 – Birmingham – O2 Institute
Oct. 08 – Glasgow – Swg3
Oct. 10 – Nottingham – Rock City
Oct. 11 – Manchester – O2 Ritz
Oct. 12 – London – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Tickets to the U.K. shows go on sale from Planet Rock tickets at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 23.
