Justin Hayward brings 'The Story In Your Eyes Tour' to Phoenix

Who: Justin Hayward

Where: Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, AZ

When: Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Information: justinhayward.com

Review and photos by Robert Kinsler

It's hard to imagine a more enthusiastic audience than the one that caught legendary singer-songwriter/guitarist Justin Hayward's "The Story In Your Eyes" Tour at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix on Wednesday night. Although 79, Hayward looked and sounded decades younger; his signature vocals soared and his artful lead guitar work impressed at every turn. And when it came to an extended portion of the night where he fielded questions from members of the audience, he was charming and witty — adding even more magic to the event.

Backed by a terrific four-member band, Hayward revisited many of his most beloved Moody Blues and solo hits in a fast-moving 90-minute set. The approach focused on blending classic rock, Americana and Baroque pop stylings together to masterfully showcase the emotional and melodic strength of each of the songs. 

Hayward opened the night with the Moody Blues' "Lovely To See You," bringing a warm Americana vibe to the track from that band's 1969 LP On the Threshold of a Dream. Other Moody Blues favorites also received reworkings early in the set including "Gypsy," "Tuesday Afternoon" (the latter featuring Karmen Gould's virtuoso flute playing), and "The Voice" with Gould and keyboardist Julie Ragins sharing lead vocals with Hayward.

The Question & Answer part of the night found Hayward tackling everything from how he takes care of his voice, when he began playing guitar, and the band's memorable concert at the Isle of Wight in 1970 before an estimated crowd of 600,000 concertgoers (one of his most bittersweet memories of that event was that it marked the last time Hayward saw Jimi Hendrix).

The momentum of the concert continued after the Q and A, with "The Land of Make-Believe," "You and Me," "Forever Autumn," "Your Wildest Dreams" and driving "Question" (the latter featuring Hayward on 12-string acoustic guitar) among the standouts. 

The night was capped off with stellar takes on "Nights in White Satin" with Hayward's dynamic vocals front and center, a rocking "The Story in Your Eyes" and wonderful "I Know You're Out There Somewhere." Then Hayward remained alone, walking to different areas at the front of the stage to greet and chat with fans awhile, including one young boy who was rewarded with Hayward's guitar pick.

If Hayward's "The Story In Your Eyes" tour is hitting your town this spring, don't miss it!

Justin Hayward connecting with fans at the end of his April 8, 2026 concert.

 

The Moody Blues to release 'Days Of Future Passed Live' on blu-ray, DVD and CD on March 23, 2018

I count The Moody Blues as one of the greatest 1960s-spawned artists still performing today. Along with The Zombies and John Fogerty, they continue to deliver potent and powerful performances well into the 21st century! Now comes word that The Moody Blues have an exciting release coming out next week in connection with the 50th anniversary of their seminal album 'Days Of Future Passed.' Get all the details below...

The Moody Blues' 'Days Of Future Passed Live'

is set to be released via Eagle Rock Entertainment on Friday, March 23, 2018

 
VIEW TRAILER HERE

PRE-ORDER HERE

 

Photo credit: Patricia Seaton

On March 23, 2018, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Days Of Future Passed Live by The Moody Blues on DVD, Blu-ray and 2CD.  Filmed in high definition, this title captures The Moody Blues delivering an incredible performance of Days Of Future Passed live in its entirety with a full orchestra.  This stunning concert includes: “Nights In White Satin”, “Tuesday Afternoon (Forever Afternoon)”, “I’m Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band)”, “Isn’t Life Strange”, “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere”, “Question”, “Ride My See-Saw”, and many more.
 
The Moody Blues’ classic 1967 album Days Of Future Passed is regarded as one of the foundation stones of the progressive rock genre. In 2017, the band headed out on the album’s 50th Anniversary Tour which included the wonderful show captured here at the Sony Centre For The Performing Arts in Toronto, accompanied by a full orchestra. The concert begins with the band by themselves performing a selection of classic Moody Blues tracks before they are joined by the orchestra to perform Days Of Future Passed plus a couple of fantastic encore tracks. The Bonus Feature, entitled “Remembering Days Of Future Passed”, delivers brand new interviews with Justin Hayward, John Lodge and Graeme Edge discussing the making of this classic album.
 
The Moody Blues -- Justin Hayward (guitar, vocals); John Lodge (bass, vocals); Graeme Edge (drums, percussion)– are joined on stage by Norda Mullen (flute, guitar, percussion, vocals); Julie Ragins (keyboards, percussion, guitar, saxophone, vocals); Alan Hewitt (keyboards, vocals); Billy Ashbaugh (drums, percussion)and Elliot Davis (musical director, conductor and co-arranger).  The live show also features the voice of Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons on the two spoken word tracks: “Morning Glory” and “Late Lament”.
 
Days Of Future Passed Live is without doubt the definitive live version of this much-loved album and will be treasured by fans of The Moody Blues for years to come.
 
 
TRACK LISTING
 
Part One – The Moody Blues In Concert (CD Disc 1)
1) I’m Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band)   2) The Voice   3) Steppin’ In A Slide Zone   4) Say It With Love   5) Nervous   6) Your Wildest Dreams   7) Isn’t Life Strange   8) I Know You’re Out There Somewhere   9) The Story In Your Eyes
 
Part Two – Days Of Future Passed Live (CD Disc 2)
10) The Day Begins   11) Morning Glory   12) Dawn (Prelude)   13) Dawn Is A Feeling   14) The Morning (Prelude)   15) Another Morning   16) Lunch Break (Prelude)   17) Peak Hour   18) Tuesday Afternoon (Forever Afternoon)   19) Evening (Time To Get Away)   20) The Sun Set (Prelude) 
 21) The Sun Set   22) Twilight (Prelude)   23) Twilight Time   24) Late Lament   25) Nights In White Satin   26) The Night (Finale)
 
Encore
27) Question   28) Ride My See-Saw