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The UK’s live music calendar is stacked at the start of next year with feverishly anticipated arena tours from homegrown stars and global talent. Whether you’re a metalhead, an indie fan or a rap aficionado, there’s a show for you coming soon. Here’s a guide to the most in-demand gigs of 2026 so far, according to search traffic on ticket marketplace viagogo.
Florence + The Machine
Playing: February 6 – Belfast, SSE Arena; February 8 – Birmingham, bp pulse Live; February 9 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro; February 11 – Newcastle, Utilita Arena; February 13 – Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena; February 14 – Sheffield, Utilita Arena; February 16, 17 – London, The O2; February 20 – Manchester, Co-op Live
Since she broke through 18 years ago, Florence Welch has forged a reputation as one of our most thrillingly visceral live performers. Next year is a massive one for the South London siren and her award-winning band: they’re embarking on a huge UK arena tour in support of their stellar sixth album ‘Everybody Scream‘ and headlining Reading and Leeds festivals for the first time ever. Dog days are over indeed.
RAYE
Playing: February 17, 18 – Co-op Live, Manchester; February 20, 21 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow; February 23, 24 – BP Pulse Live, Birmingham, UK; February 26, 27 and March 1, 2 – The O2, London
Ever since she left her label to become an independent artist, RAYE has excelled by doing things her way. Early next year, she’ll fill the UK’s arenas with a live run she’s wittily titled ‘This Tour May Contain New Music’. Given that her upcoming second album has already yielded the ridiculously catchy retro-hit ‘Where Is My Husband!’, it’s safe to presume her new music will be worth the price of admission. All bangers and no clangers? That’s very much the RAYE way.
Gunna
Playing: March 25, 31 – The O2, London; March 26 – AO Arena, Manchester
Fans who caught Gunna at Wireless Festival in 2024 will know he’s a seasoned showman with delivery slicker than an otter’s pocket. When he brings his ‘Wun World Tour’ to arenas in London and Manchester in March, it’ll be a major moment for fans of the Georgia rapper. He’s only ever played one headline show in the UK, and that was back in 2019, so you won’t want to miss this rare transatlantic trip.
Deftones
Playing: March 12 – BP Pulse Live, Birmingham; March 13 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow; March 14 – Co-op Live, Manchester; March 18 – Utilita Arena, Cardiff; March 20 – The O2, London
Alt-rock legends Deftones are bigger than ever. Earlier this year, their 10th album ‘Private Show’ entered the UK charts at number two – a career-best for the Sacramento band – and 2026 brings arena and festival shows up and down the country. Thirty years after they released their dizzying debut album ‘Adrenaline’, they’re a fast and furious live act who can put together one hell of a career-spanning setlist.
André Rieu
Playing: April 9 – The SSE Arena, Belfast
Dutch violinist and conductor André Rieu is the king of accessible classical music. When he brings his 60-piece orchestra to Belfat in April and other UK arenas in September, he’ll treat fans to an eclectic setlist that pings between Strauss, Rodgers and Hammerstein and Little Richard. Rieu and his orchestra have even been known to cover Los Del Rio’s Europop banger ‘Macarena’ – elegantly and without the dance routine, of course.
Sombr
Playing: March 8, 9, 10 – O2 Academy Brixton; March 12 – Aviva Studios, Manchester; March 13 – O2 Academy, Birmingham; March 15 – O2 Academy, Glasgow
New Yorker Sombr smashed through spectacularly in 2025 with a Top 10 album, his cathartic debut ‘I Barely Know Her’, and three Top 10 singles. After playing a last-minute gig at London’s Koko earlier this month, he’s bringing his ‘Late Nights & Young Romance Tour’ to the UK in March for his biggest headline shows yet. Expect emotional vocals and dynamic stage moves that split the difference between early Bowie and a young Mick Jagger.
Richard Ashcroft
Playing: March 24 – Utilita Arena, Cardiff; March 26 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool; March 28 – The O2, London; March 31 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow; April 2 – First Direct Arena, Leeds; April 4 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham; March 6 – Utilita Arena, Newcastle
When Oasis reunited for the most anticipated tour of 2025, they needed an iconic support act, so they gave Richard Ashcroft a call. After smashing the assignment, the Verve legend is back on the road in 2026, performing huge headline shows in arenas and a one-off outdoor concert at London’s Alexandra Palace Park. Hollering along to ‘Bittersweet Symphony’ with tens of thousands of Britpop fans is a real bucket list moment.
Dave
Playing: March 4 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow; March 6, 7, 10, 11 – The O2, London; March 13 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham; March 16, 17 – Co-op Live, Manchester
London’s David Omoregie – Dave to his legions of fans – made history in October when he became the first British rap act to debut three albums at Number One. At 27, he’s a generational talent who keeps on levelling up.
Xavier Naidoo
In his native Germany, Xavier Naidoo is a superstar who revolutionised his country’s approach to R&B and soul music. When he announced a one-off comeback show last July, demand was so great that he ended up expanding it into a massive arena tour. If you want to catch him next year, get your gig-tripping hat on because so far, he’s only confirmed dates in Germany.
Gorillaz
Playing: March 21 – Co-op Live, Manchester; March 22 – BP Pulse Live, Birmingham; March 24 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow; March 25 – First Direct Arena, Leeds; March 27 – Utilita Arena, Cardiff; March 28 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham; March 29 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool; March 31 – SSE Arena, Belfast
Gorillaz recently celebrated their 25th birthday with an immersive exhibition, House of Kong, and four era-specific shows at London’s Copper Box Arena. Damon Albarn and co. aren’t staying in nostalgia mode for long, though, because 2026 brings their ninth studio album, ‘The Mountain’, and a nationwide tour culminating in a massive hometown show at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Live, they’re a thrilling mix of human musicianship and virtual visuals that every music fan should experience at least once.