Busted and Fightstar’s Charlie Simpson joins ‘The War Of The Worlds’ UK tour alongside Enter Shikari’s Rou Reynolds

2 December, 2024

Charlie Simpson of Busted performs in 2024

Charlie Simpson has been announced as joining the upcoming musical adaptation of Jeff Wayne’s The War Of The Worlds.

With the adaptation of H.G. Wells’ iconic Sci-fi story set to hit the road as a series of shows next year, Simpson joins an already packed line-up. This includes Enter Shikari frontman Rou Reynolds, who is making his acting debut in the role of The Artilleryman, and The Wanted’s Max George, who is playing Parson Nathaniel.

For his role, Simpson – who is frontman for both Busted and Fightstar, as well as winner of The Masked Singer 2023 – will be playing The Sung Thoughts of the Journalist. It is a role that has been previously performed by Gary Barlow, Brian McFadden, Marti Pellow and Justin Hayward.

“When Jeff Wayne called to ask whether I wanted to perform the role of The Sung Thoughts of The Journalist in his next arena tour, I knew I had to rise to the challenge — who wouldn’t want to battle against the Martians?” Simpson said in a new statement.

“The War of The Worlds is one of those iconic pieces of music that’s become a building block in popular culture over the last forty-six years. I have vivid memories of listening to the album during my childhood, and I’m so thrilled that I get to sing ‘The Eve of The War’ and ‘Forever Autumn’ next year on arena stages across the country.”

Jeff Wayne also commented on the updated cast, saying: “I’m happy that I can now announce our last new cast member – Charlie Simpson of Busted and Fightstar fame, who has both a wonderful voice and physical presence that will grace the stage in our coming The Spirit of Man tour as The Sung Thoughts of The Journalist.”

The War of The Worlds ‘The Spirit of Man Tour 2025’ dates are:

MARCH
28 – Hull, Connexin Live
30 – Dublin, 3Arena

APRIL
1 – Aberdeen, P&J Live
2 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
3 – Leeds, First Direct Arena
5 – Newcastle, Utilita Arena
6 – Manchester, Co-Op Live
8 – Sheffield, Utilita Arena
9 – Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena
10 – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena
12 – Brighton, Centre (matinee & evening)
13 – Bournemouth, Int Centre
14 – Bournemouth, Int Centre
16 – Cardiff, Utilita Arena
17 – Cardiff, Utilita Arena
18 – Birmingham, Resorts World Arena
20 – London, The O2 (matinee & evening)

Others starring in the 2025 musician adaptation include Maisie Smith (Beth, The Parson’s Wife), Nathan James (The Voice Of Humanity), and Anna-Marie Wayne (Carrie, the Journalist’s Fiancée).

The new run of dates build on the huge legacy that the musical adaptation of The War Of The Worlds has left, having first hit the stage in 2006. Since the book was shared in 1898, seven films, various radio dramas, comics, video games, television series, and sequels have all been made, inspired by the original plot.

Back in 1978, Wayne first produced the musical album of the story, and both Richard Burton and David Essex took part. An immersive experience set to Wayne’s score later opened in 2019 in London.

For the 2025 ‘The Spirit Of Man’ edition of the musical production, 19 shows will be held over 17 dates, and it will visit various arenas across the UK and Ireland. It also arrives just in time to celebrate 130 years since the publication of the dark Victorian tale of a Martian invasion.

Visit here for tickets, and find a list of tour dates above.

Charlie Simpson of Busted
Charlie Simpson of Busted. CREDIT: Lorne Thomson/Redferns/Getty Images

Back in October, Rou Reynolds spoke to NME about his upcoming acting debut in The War Of The Worlds – as well as how it aligns with his determination to support grassroots venues and plans for the future.

“It was so seminal and the first famous story about Earth being invaded, so it captured the imagination of so many people back then. It stood the test of time, because it’s still relevant today in all sorts of ways. Not only can you see how it inspired film and literature, but there are parallels to the existential threats that humanity faces today,” he said, reflecting on the story’s legacy.

“Even with my role as The Artilleryman — who decides to live underground and protect only himself from the threat — it resonated with me because I compared it to how some billionaires now are building vast underground bunkers to protect themselves from issues that might accelerate in coming decades. It’s a type of cowardice, hiding away and only looking to protect yourself. It’s a classic example of the self-interested motive that is prominent in capitalism.”

He continued, linking it to the issues faced by artists in 2024: “We’re losing music venues up and down the country every week and it’s clear that something more concrete needs to be done. Everyone’s fed up, not just emotionally but rationally with austerity around it, and realise that it’s the public finances that have to support these venues and the arts in general.”

As for Charlie Simpson, the singer is set to hit the road with Busted throughout 2025 too. Already, this includes a slot at Isle Of Wight Festival alongside Jess Glynne and Supergrass, as well as a co-headline tour with McFly. Visit here for Busted tickets.

The post Busted and Fightstar’s Charlie Simpson joins ‘The War Of The Worlds’ UK tour alongside Enter Shikari’s Rou Reynolds appeared first on NME.