Iconic British pop-soul pioneers The Blow Monkeys have officially announced a major UK and Ireland tour for September and October 2026. The announcement follows the release of their acclaimed 13th studio album, ‘Birdsong’, out now on Alan McGee’s Creation Youth label.
A Return to the Soulful Sound
Recorded at Paul Weller’s Black Barn Studios, ‘Birdsong’ marks a creative high point for the band. The record features the core original lineup of lead singer Robert Howard (Dr Robert), saxophonist Neville Henry, and bassist Mick Anker, alongside drummer Crispin Taylor.
The collaboration with Alan McGee—the legendary founder of Creation Records—came about naturally. Dr Robert recalls a chance meeting at producer Martin ‘Youth’ Glover’s studio in Granada:
"Alan asked me to write and record a ‘brilliant Blow Monkey record.’ The songs just poured out effortlessly. It’s a very ‘up’ album, and deliberately so."
McGee himself remains a steadfast fan, stating that the new material is "as good as anything Dr Robert did back in the day."
Iconic Hits and New Horizons
With a career spanning over 40 years, The Blow Monkeys remain household names thanks to global hits like ‘Digging Your Scene’ and ‘It Doesn’t Have To Be This Way’, as well as their iconic contribution to the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. Beyond the hits, the band has always been defined by a relentless desire to innovate, having collaborated with legends like Curtis Mayfield and Paul Weller.
2026 Tour Dates & Ticket Information
Tickets go on general sale at 10 am on Friday, February 6th, 2026. Prices start at £27.50 for Southampton/Belfast, £32.50 for London’s prestigious Union Chapel, and £29.50 for all other regional dates.
September
11th: Southampton – The Brook
October
02nd: Dublin – Opium
03rd: Belfast – Limelight
06th: Glasgow – Cottiers
07th: Gateshead – Sage
08th: Leicester – Y Theatre
09th: Liverpool – The Dome
11th: Manchester – Stoller Hall
12th: Worcester – Huntingdon
13th: Exeter – Corn Exchange
15th: Christchurch – Regent Theatre
16th: London – Union Chapel
17th: Brighton – St Georges
Reserve, book and buy The Blow Monkeys tickets securely through the official site below.
