We’re not ones for idle speculation here at Unreality Music. That’s why we didn’t entertain rumours of a Led Zeppelin tour to follow on from their appearance at the O2 arena.

Let’s face it, anyone who knows anything about Zeppelin would realise that Robert Plant was too excited about his album with Alison Kraus to jump straight into a Zeppelin tour. And that’s exactly what Jimmy Page confirmed recently when he spoke to the press on a promotional tour of Tokyo.

Now, we know the members of Led Zeppelin were due to meet this month to discuss future plans. It would seem that touring was a hot topic, and that the planets – if you believe in Astrology – are aligning in favour of a Led Zeppelin world tour. In talking to the journalists, Page acknowledged Plant’s touring commitments (as a parallel project) and hinted that there may be more discussion when the Plant/Krauss project wraps up around September. Robert Plant has made similar comments too.

Seasoned Zep-watchers will agree with me here – if Led Zeppelin weren’t going to tour again, they’d shoot the rumours down right now. One thing they won’t do is lead their fans on. Based on that, I’d say there’s a 90% probability that the Zeppelin will embark on a major tour before the end of 2008. ZME even suggests that we might see some new material, but personally I think the timings may be too short for them to deliver that in time for the concert.

Plus, an autumn tour distances the band from the one-off O2 event, so hopefully those punters who paid thousands for tickets won’t be too upset when the tour bus lands in their town…

The Robert Plant/Alison Krauss collaboration, Raising Sand, has been amazingly successful both Stateside and here in the UK. No surprise that the two are planning to pack their bags and tour in the USA and Europe.

As you can see from our exclusive photo, Alison had some trouble understanding the concept of touring, so Robert helpfully explained by making an ‘aeroplane’ shape.

According to Billboard:

The first leg begins in Louisville, Ky., on April 20 and continues to Knoxville, Tenn., on April 22, Chattanooga, Tenn., on April 23 and Birmingham, Ala., on April 26. The tour’s 11-date run in Europe follows in May.

The duo will be joined on stage by producer and musician T Bone Burnett. Tickets for the April U.S. dates go on sale Jan. 25. A longer run of North American shows is planned for June and July, but dates and details have not yet been announced.

I’m especially pleased for Plant, as his post-Led Zeppelin career has avoided shameless commercialism. He’s always taken a road less travelled with his music, and I’m glad to see that the Raising Sand album has struck a chord with people across the world.

The obvious fact is that the tour with Krauss will shelve any plans for a Led Zeppelin tour. But as Robert said in an interview in the autumn, he wants to be a ‘creator, not a curator’. I think we can wait a little longer for a Zep tour.

What do you guys think?