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For fans of live music, this year has the makings of a classic. We’ve already seen stadium tours from Britain’s pre-eminent pop star Harry Styles, US rockers System of a Down and everyone’s favourite boy band, Take That.
But 2026’s most exciting gigs aren’t just brash pop extravaganzas. If you missed Paul Simon’s two nights at the Royal Albert Hall, Art Garfunkel will be performing there solo later this year; Americana icon Emmylou Harris still has one UK date left on her European swansong; and Alison Moyet will bring a selection of Yazoo’s timeless hits to venues around the UK.
Here’s my pick of the best pop and rock gigs taking place across the country – though it’s important to note, your small, local grass-roots venues need just as much support as your favourite megastars or legacy festivals. Try to aim for both, eh?
This article is updated weekly.
Skip to:
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December
August
Ariana Grande
The pop titan-turned-Oscar contender thanks to her starring role in Wicked has declared that this will be her final tour “for a long time”, so you can expect demand to be huge. It’s easy to forget that, long before she made daily headlines for clutching Cynthia Erivo’s finger or crying about musical theatre, Grande was the world’s hottest pop star, with hits like God is a Woman, 7 Rings and Thank U, Next storming to the top of the charts globally. With arguably the most dazzling voice in contemporary pop, this promises to be a tour to remember.
O2 Arena, London (arianagrande.com), August 15 and touring
The Cure
Songs of a Lost World, the Cure’s magnificent 2024 album that marked their first record in 16 years, brought Robert Smith and co firmly back into the limelight: a place they’re never entirely been comfortable populating, despite being one of Britain’s most beloved rock bands. Now, finally, a proper chance to hear the album in all its glory – as well as eternal favourites from Pictures of You to Just Like Heaven and A Forest – at a run of summer shows, taking in the Isle of Wight Festival and dates in Cardiff, Belfast, Manchester and Edinburgh.
Touring until August (thecure.com)
Songs of a Lost World album review
All Points East Festival
Fans who attended the 2025 edition of east London’s favourite festival are probably still sneezing: social media was filled with revellers complaining about how the scorching hot summer weather turned the grounds of Victoria Park into one giant dustbowl. But, hey ho, when the lineup’s always this good, who cares? The first headliners announced for 2026 include New Zealand hero Lorde, fresh off the back of her magnificent Virgin tour, left-field rapper Tyler, the Creator (who will play two nights) and Californian rockers Deftones (under the “Outbreak” banner).
Victoria Park, London (allpointseastfestival.com), from August 22
Geese
It must be some pressure to suddenly find yourself declared the world’s last great guitar band, co-signed by such legends as Nick Cave and Patti Smith and given the stamp of approval by music critics the world over. But Geese, the wonderfully weird New York indie rockers, led by floppy-haired enigma Cameron Winter, seem to be taking all the hype in their stride. Nothing sums up their sudden popularity like this spring tour, which takes in tiny venues that are now glaringly, obviously too small for them; if you can’t get resale, hold out for their sets at Reading and Leeds in the summer.
Touring from Aug 25 (geeseband.com/tour)
Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi is firmly back on top form after successful vocal surgery, making the Forever tour a must-see for fans of the New Jersey rockers (and their terrific hairstyles). Demand for the Wembley date was so huge the band added another two nights at Britain’s flagship stadium, while Scottish fans can catch them at Murrayfield.
Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh (bonjovi.com), August 28 and touring
Emmylou Harris
Willie Nelson once said, “There are two kinds of men in this world. There are them that are in love with Emmylou, and there are them that have not heard her sing yet.” How right he was. Any fans of country or Americana music should try to make it to Emmylou Harris’s final performance at the Long Road festival in Leicestershire. The 79-year-old still has a voice capable of moving you to tears; expect to hear such wonderfully moving songs as Together Again and Beneath Still Waters.
The Long Road Festival, Leicestershire, Aug 30 (emmylouharris.com)
September
The Pussycat Dolls
The Noughties’ favourite girl group is back, armed with the same sex-positive, upbeat hits and a new sense of confidence – as well as a condensed line-up. The Pussycat Dolls, now consisting of Nicole Scherzinger, Ashley Roberts and Kimberly Wyatt, will bring their “PCD Forever” tour to arenas around the UK to the delight of good-time-seeking millennials everywhere.
Utilita Arena, Birmingham on September 29, then touring (ticketmaster.co.uk/the-pussycat-dolls-tickets)
October
Alison Moyet
Following an acclaimed run of shows last year, marking 40 years in the music industry, Yazoo’s Alison Moyet will once again bring her spellbinding voice – that has helped sell more than 23 million records – to venues across the UK, from Stockton-on-Tees to Bristol, Brighton, Manchester and Dundee. The show promises to feature Yazoo’s chart-staple singles as well as songs from Moyet’s solo records, The Minutes and Other.
Stockton Globe, Stockton-on-Tees on October 4, then touring (ticketmaster.co.uk/alison-moyet-tickets/artist/770813)
The Strokes
Recently in the headlines over their overtly political set at the Coachella festival in California, veteran indie rockers the Strokes return to the UK for their first non-festival run of shows in almost two decades. Yep, that’s right – the sound issues that have long plagued the band’s outdoor shows might be remedied by the simple fact they’re choosing to play hits like Last Nite and Someday indoors for once. Julian Casablancas always makes for an alluring frontman, and this promises to be one of the autumn’s highlights for any music lover looking for an early Noughties nostalgia trip.
O2 Arena, London on October 6 and 7, then touring (thestrokes.com)
Art Garfunkel
The other half of Simon & Garfunkel (see above for Paul) has also decided to treat us Britons to some of the finest folk-rock music ever recorded. Art Garfunkel brings his What a Wonderful World – Celebration Concerts to Watford, Manchester and Wolverhampton, culminating in a special show at London’s Royal Albert Hall, accompanied by his long-time guitarist Tab Laven, pianist Clifford Carter and keyboardist Kim Bullard.
Colosseum, Watford on October 13, then touring (ticketmaster.co.uk/art-garfunkel)
November
Bleachers
New Jersey indie rockers Bleachers have found themselves somewhat overshadowed by their frontman, producer-to-the-stars Jack Antonoff. But Antonoff’s witty lyrics and the band’s Springsteen-lite sound translate terrifically to the live stage – making their upcoming UK tour a very hot ticket indeed. With a fan-favourite Christmas song under their belt – 2024’s Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call – these shows promise to have a festive feel, too.
O2 Academy, Bristol on November 24, then touring (ticketmaster.co.uk/bleachers-tickets)
Bob Dylan
America’s indomitable folk hero has never been renowned for his live performances, which tend to veer on the side of chaotic and unpredictable rather than professional or life-affirming. But at 85, Bob Dylan has a whole new raft of younger fans thanks to A Complete Unknown, the Timothée Chalamet-starring, Oscar-nominated biopic about his life. Could his latest tour – with five dates at London’s Royal Festival Hall – feature some classic hits peppered amongst the obscure deep-dives? Probably not; loyalists, just happy to be in the presence of a musical legend, won’t care either way.
BIC Windsor Hall, Bournemouth on November 25, then touring (bobdylan.com/on-tour)
December
The Darkness
After supporting Iron Maiden at Knebworth in July, the Lowestoft heavy rockers will be heading out on their biggest headline tour in two decades towards the end of 2026. Across seven arena dates, Justin Hawkins and co are bound to bring their usual theatrics to create an over-the-top spectacle.
OVO Hydro, Glasgow December 8 and touring; thedarknesslive.com
