20 February 2026
Newsdesk
The legendary Salford Bard, Dr John Cooper Clarke, has officially announced a major UK and Ireland headline tour for October and November 2026. This announcement follows a historic 2025, during which Clarke became the first poet to ever headline a UK arena at Manchester’s Co-op Live.
The upcoming 20-date trek will see the celebrated punk poet performing at some of the most prestigious venues in the country. Fans can expect a mix of classic fan-favorites and a first look at his brand-new poetry collection, "Have It," which is also scheduled for release in Autumn 2026.
Due to overwhelming demand, an additional performance has already been added to the schedule. Clarke will now play a second night at the Leeds City Varieties Music Hall on Friday, October 30, following his previously announced Halloween date at the same venue.
The tour kicks off on October 7 at the Southend Palace Theatre before heading to the coast for shows in Poole and Brighton. Mid-October will feature a high-profile performance at the iconic London Palladium on October 15, followed by stops in Sheffield and Glasgow, buy tickets below.
As the tour moves into November, Clarke will head across the water for highly anticipated shows at Dublin’s 3Olympia on November 12 and Belfast’s Mandela Hall on November 15. The momentum continues through Northern England with stops in Blackpool and a massive homecoming show at the Manchester O2 Apollo on November 21.
The tour is set to conclude with final performances at the Leicester De Montfort Hall and the Edinburgh Queens Hall on November 27. These shows offer a rare opportunity to see a recipient of the Northern Music Award in an intimate yet grand setting.
Tickets for all dates are on sale now. Search and buy tickets securely below.
