AN Essex folk singer is set to kick off his latest 2023 tour in his home county. 

Jay McAllister, known by his stage name Beans on Toast, is coming to Colchester as part of his Back Out On The Road tour this year.

The singer, who was born in Braintree, will be taking on 30 independent venues across the UK.

First up on the tour is the Colchester Arts Centre, with the folk singer also heading to London, Manchester, Newcastle, Reading, Leeds and more.

A spokesman said: “Following the runaway success of his extended UK tour in 2022, the cult hero is already plotting his return with a “mahoosive ramble” in the works for 2023. 

“One man and his guitar with songs to sing and stories to tell, UK fans will be able to catch him performing at 30 of the country's finest independent venues throughout February and March.”

Since 2005, Beans on Toast has written simple songs about complicated subjects.

Tackling the big issues of the day but doing so with his feet firmly on the ground, he’s become a people’s champ of the modern folk scene and amassed a huge back catalogue of songs in the process. 

An unrepentant optimist whose songs celebrate all that is wonderful about the human spirit, his live shows are similarly uplifting and have taken him from sold out headline shows in the UK to the stages of major international festivals across the globe. 

Speaking about the upcoming tour he said: “Folk music is an age-old art form, and it’s more relevant than ever in these wild and crazy modern times.

“You can expect an inspiring and entertaining gig, a relaxed and fun affair that leaves you feeling like you've met up with an old friend, and you're all the better for it.”

Beans On Toast is coming to the Colchester Arts Centre on February 21.

Tickets for the gig, the doors for which open at 7.30pm, cost £16.50 and can be purchased by visiting colchesterartscentre.com.