English singer-songwriter Will Varley returns to the road this spring, stopping at the Arts Club in Liverpool on Saturday 29 March as part of his highly anticipated tour in support of his upcoming seventh album, Machines Will Never Learn To Make Mistakes Like Me.
The album is set for release on 30 May 2025 via MNRK Music Group, home to renowned artists such as The Lumineers, Gregory Alan Isakov, and Shakey Graves.
Varley’s latest work marks his first studio album since 2021’s The Hole Around My Head and showcases a deeply reflective and expansive approach to songwriting. Inspired by his experiences touring across the US and Europe, as well as his roots on the East Kent Coast, the album features richly woven lyrical tales of hard-earned lessons, fractured relationships, and resilience. Fans can expect a raw, immersive experience, shaped by the trials and tribulations of life on the road.
Coinciding with the album announcement, Varley has also released the new single Different Man, a song that paints a vivid picture of tour mishaps and unexpected adventures. The accompanying video features actor Gethin Anthony, known for his roles in Game of Thrones and Netflix’s Manhunt.
Will Varley – Different Man (Official Video)
Reflecting on the song’s inspiration, Varley shares: “I did a lot of touring in the US and Europe over the years, opening for various bands and sleeping on rickety old tour buses that were close to being written off. This is a song about that, and it details some of the scrapes we got into. Like one night we went through a tunnel just outside of New York in the winter, but the bus was too tall to go through, so the air con units all got sliced off the top of the roof with two huge bangs. It was pitch black outside, and none of us knew what was going on, just that it was suddenly snowing inside. It was 3am and we had to drive like that all the way to Chicago with a mandolin case wedged into the ceiling to stop the snow coming in.”
Featuring special guest appearances from Billy Bragg, Eleni Drake, and Bastille’s Dan Smith, the album sees Varley continue his decade-long exploration of the human condition. This time, he delves into themes of impending societal collapse, the balance between the extraordinary and the mundane, and ultimately, the search for hope amidst uncertainty.
Produced in his Kent-based studio alongside long-time friend and collaborator Tom Farrer, the album introduces a richer, more layered production that breathes life into Varley’s evocative storytelling. Machines Will Never Learn To Make Mistakes Like Me is described as an album about “trying to be a hundred different people at the same time. About the fires you remember when you are alone in the early hours. About the dreams you had once and never thought you’d forget. About trying to raise children while the world is ending outside. About end times and new beginnings.”
Liverpool fans can expect an unforgettable night of poetic lyricism, heartfelt storytelling, and masterful musicianship when Will Varley takes the stage at the Art Club on 29 March. With a reputation for captivating live performances, this show promises to be an intimate and powerful experience not to be missed.
Will Varley
Saturday 29 March
Arts Club Liverpool
Tickets
