Punk rock pioneers The Damned are set to celebrate half a century of sonic rebellion with their biggest milestone to date: a 50th-anniversary headline show at the OVO Arena Wembley on Saturday, 11th April 2026.
This historic performance marks five decades since the band jump-started a revolution with "New Rose," the first-ever UK punk single. The Wembley show is not just a concert but a celebration of 50 years of punk culture itself. Joining the legendary lineup of Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, Rat Scabies, and Paul Gray is an equally prestigious bill of special guests, including The Loveless (featuring Marc Almond), Peter Hook And The Light, and The Courettes.
Honoring a Legacy: ‘Not Like Everybody Else’
The Wembley announcement follows the news of the band’s highly anticipated new album, Not Like Everybody Else, due for release on 23rd January 2026 via earMUSIC. The record is a deeply personal covers project dedicated to the memory of founding guitarist Brian James, who passed away in March 2025.
Recorded in Los Angeles, the album features the classic 1982 Strawberries lineup reuniting in the studio for the first time in over 40 years. Fans can expect to hear the band’s raw take on tracks like "Summer In The City" (out Jan 16) and "See Emily Play," alongside a final recorded contribution from Brian James himself on a remix of "The Last Time."
Launch Week & Regional Dates
Ahead of the Wembley spectacular, the band will engage in an intensive run of intimate Q&A sessions and signings across the UK:
23 Jan: London, Rough Trade East (Q&A/Signing)
24 Jan: Birmingham, HMV Bullring (Signing)
24 Jan: Liverpool, Rough Trade (Q&A/Signing)
26 Jan: Manchester, HMV (Signing)
28 Jan: Manchester, Albert Hall (Full Covers Show)
29 Jan: Brighton, Resident (Q&A/Signing)
From their roots as the architects of British punk to their evolution into gothic-rock royalty, this 50th-anniversary tour and Wembley Arena date represent a definitive moment for one of music's most enduring and pioneering acts.
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