Tom Jones issues statement of thanks after Defy Expectation tour and says he ‘can’t wait until next time’

It seems veteran pop singer Tom Jones is keen to be back on the road after releasing a statement of thanks to fans.

The It’s Not Unusual hitmaker concluded his Defy Expectation tour in his home country of Wales last night. A statement from Jones, 85, has since been shared to thank those who attended any of the forty-eight shows. Jones ended his statement, suggesting he “can’t wait until the next time,” prompting fans to hope for further tour dates from the veteran performer in the near future. A post to Jones’ Twitter account earlier today (August 22) suggested the “glorious” show would go on. His set from last night featured bizarre covers of Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, and Leonard Cohen, alongside his hit ’60s tracks.

His statement reads: “48 shows, 15 countries! It’s been really wonderful to bring my Defy Explanation tour to so many of you this year across the US & Europe. A HUGE thank you to my superb, talented band and fantastic, hard-working crew.

“But most importantly, thank you to YOU, my audience, for your love and appreciation for what you see and hear and experience onstage every night. It’s been glorious–and I can’t wait until the next time!”

Whether Jones returns to the stage again is yet to be seen, though at 85, he shows no sign of stopping. The legendary performer played a cover-heavy set at his show at Cardiff Castle last night (August 21). Jones featured songs from Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, and Cat Stevens in a twenty-one-song set.

Also included in the set were his cover hits, It’s Not Unusual, What’s New Pussycat?, and Delilah, the Les Reed song, which was turned into a rugby anthem by Jones. A full setlist for the show can be found below.

• I’m Growing Old (Bobby Cole cover)
• Tower of Song (Leonard Cohen cover)
• Not Dark Yet (Bob Dylan cover)
• It’s Not Unusual (Les Reed cover)
• What’s New Pussycat? (Burt Bacharach cover)
• Sexbomb (Mousse T. cover)
• You Can Leave Your Hat On (Randy Newman cover)
• Pop Star (Cat Stevens)
• One More Cup of Coffee (Valley Below) (Bob Dylan cover)
• Opportunity to Cry (Willie Nelson cover)
• The Windmills of Your Mind (Michel Legrand cover)
• I Won’t Crumble with You If You Fall (Bernice Johnson Reagon cover)
• Talking Reality Television Blues (Todd Snider cover)
• This Is the Sea (The Waterboys cover)
• Delilah (Les Reed cover)
• Lazarus Man (Terry Callier cover)
• If Only I Knew
• Kiss (Prince cover)
• Gren, Green Grass of Home (Claude Putman Jr. cover)
• One Hell of a Life (Katell Keineg cover)
• Strange Things Happening Every Day (Sister Rosetta Tharpe cover)

Delilah was an unofficial anthem for Welsh rugby but has faced controversy over the last two decades. Senedd Member Helen Mary Jones suggested the song “glorifies violence against women.”

The song’s co-writer, Barry Mason, said of the criticism: “It’s sad, isn’t it? She’s being silly. To say fans are wrong to sing Delilah insults their intelligence. Nobody listens to the lyrics.” The song was removed from half-time entertainment by the Welsh Rugby Union.

At a Cardiff Castle gig in 2023, Jones sang Delilah and used the stage as a chance to address the crowd. He said: “Who was the man who didn’t want us to sing Delilah? You can’t stop us singing Delilah. He stopped the choir from singing but he didn’t stop the crowd from singing it. And we will keep singing it too!”