Last year was packed with thrilling gigs from the Oasis reunion to Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour. And it seems 2026 is shaping up to be just as exciting with a packed calendar of musical treats including Lily Allen’s first tour in seven years, following her fiery revenge album “West End Girl”. Here are our top picks.
Foo Fighters
Whenever Foo Fighters take to the stage you can expect a “rollicking good show”, said Poppie Platt in The Telegraph. That’s partly due to the “might of the band” but also it’s “impossible not to be charmed by Dave Grohl”. His decision to only play two dates at Liverpool’s Anfield stadium “raised a few eyebrows”, but “as any football fan from Merseyside will know: the atmosphere will be worth it”.
Anfield, Liverpool, 25 and 27 June, then touring, foofighters.com
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Robyn
“Listen up, Robyn fans,” said Ed Cunningham on Time Out. The “Swedish pop icon” will be performing at some of the UK’s “biggest arenas” this summer to mark the release of her album “Sexistential”. As well as performing new tracks like “Talk To Me”, expect classic hits like “Dancing on My Own” and “With Every Heartbeat”.
OVO Hydro Glasgow, 26 June, then touring, robyn.com
The Strokes
The “veteran indie rockers” are back in the UK in October for their “first non-festival run of shows in almost two decades”, said Platt in The Telegraph. Julian Casablancas is an “alluring” frontman, and this will no doubt be one of the “autumn’s highlights for any music lover looking for an early Noughties nostalgia trip”. Sound problems that have been an issue at the band’s previous outdoor shows look like they’ll be “remedied” by the indoor venue, too.
The O2 London, 6 and 7 October, thestrokes.com
My Chemical Romance
It’s “the news every former emo kid was waiting for”, said Danni Scott in Metro. My Chemical Romance are bringing their “Black Parade” anniversary tour to the UK; the band will be performing the 2006 album “front to back” to mark two decades since its release. Anticipation is already building as “fans eagerly await hearing that iconic note – you know the one – live”.
Anfield, Liverpool, 30 June, then touring, mychemicalromance.com
A$AP Rocky
“Hot on the heels” of his new album, “Don’t Be Dumb”, A$AP Rocky will be setting out on a “huge” 42-date world tour, said Miranda Pell in the Manchester Evening News. The rapper will take to the stage at London’s O2 arena in August before heading to Glasgow and Manchester.
The O2 London, 30 August, then touring, asaprocky.com
Ariana Grande
The internet went into “meltdown” when Ariana Grande announced her new tour, with five dates scheduled in London this August, said Alice Hall in Grazia. It will be the Grammy-Award winning singer-songwriter’s first tour in seven years, since her 2018 album “Sweetener”. Since then, Grande – known for her impressive four-octave vocal range – has been busy on the big screen starring as Glinda in “Wicked”. This is not one to miss.
The O2 London, 15 August, then touring, arianagrande.com
Lily Allen
Lily Allen managed the comeback of the century with her “confessional” post-break-up album “West End Girl”, said Helen Brown in The Telegraph. It was released to rave reviews last year, delivering “dirty linen” as she dissected the “jaw-dropping breakdown of her marriage” to David Harbour. “Lyrically dark and dense” and “written in just 10 days”, it was one of the year’s best albums. It’s little wonder the first batch of tickets for the accompanying tour sold out in minutes.
Touring (including abroad) until 1 November, lilyallenmusic.com
Metallica’s “M72” world tour will be “heavy music heaven”, said Cunningham on Time Out. The most “interesting” shows are those in London where the band will play a “no repeat weekend” where fans can expect two completely different set lists and opening acts. It might be worth buying a few tickets…
Hampden Park, Glasgow, 25 June, then touring (including abroad) until 5 July, metallica.com
Florence + The Machine
Given the number of hits Florence + The Machine has had over the years, these shows will no doubt have fans “hollering to the rafters”, said Cunningham on Time Out. The band is touring with their latest album “Everybody Scream”, with stops in Edinburgh, Leeds and Reading.
Touring (including abroad) until 30 August, florenceandthemachine.net
Harry Styles
The “grand return” of Harry Styles after his three-year career hiatus is “finally here”, said Joanna Magill in Radio Times. He will be in London for a handful of dates in June and July, before heading on to Amsterdam and New York.
Touring (including abroad) until 13 December, hstyles.co.uk
Olivia Dean
British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean rose to “stratospheric levels after blowing up” with “Man I Need”, said Scott in Metro. You’ll need to snap up tickets fast as she’s “already filling out arenas” just a couple of years after scooping BBC Music Introducing Artist of the Year. “Giving pop a soulful spin, Olivia is one of the artists of the moment, so why wouldn’t you want to see her perform live?”
Touring (including abroad) until 18 July, oliviadeano.com
