What Is The Date For The Embrace 30th Anniversary Homecoming Show At The Piece Hall?

Get ready for some massive news. The line-up for next summer’s gigs at The Piece Hall just got even bigger, and this one is extra special for anyone from West Yorkshire. Calderdale’s very own hometown heroes, Embrace, are coming back for an enormous homecoming show to celebrate their 30th anniversary. It’s all happening on Saturday, 13 June 2026, and it’s set to be one of the highlights of the summer music season. For a band that has been such a huge part of the UK indie scene, this feels like a proper celebration of their journey, right back where it all started. This is more than just another gig; it’s a milestone event for the band and their loyal fans who have been there every step of the way.

A proper homecoming show for Embrace

This isn't the first time the indie legends have played at the magnificent Piece Hall. The band, made up of brothers Danny and Richard McNamara, Steve Firth, Mike Heaton, and Mickey Dale, have already played two unforgettable, sold-out shows at the venue, back in 2019 and 2023. Anyone who was there knows just how electric the atmosphere is when Embrace plays on home turf. Formed just a stone's throw away in the village of Bailiff Bridge in 1990, their connection to Calderdale is deep. It’s what makes this homecoming show so significant. Over their career, Embrace has racked up an incredible three No.1 albums, six Top 10 singles, and have sold more than two million albums. They are a massive part of British music history, and this show at The Piece Hall will be a celebration of that legacy. The band is a true family affair, and that extends to their audience.

What makes this 30th anniversary so special?

Thirty years is a long time in any job, but in the music industry, it’s a lifetime. What’s even more remarkable is that Embrace has kept the same line-up for all three decades. That’s a testament to their bond as a band and as friends. It’s something frontman Danny McNamara is clearly very proud of. Speaking about the upcoming 30th anniversary show, he shared his thoughts on this incredible journey.

“30 years feels like a milestone that needs celebrating for any band, but 30 years with the same line-up is really exceptional. Embrace have always been about family, and that extends to the fans too. So many times over the years when it looked like we were down and out the fans have lifted us back up. There’s too many highlights to mention, but I can honestly say the thing that I’m most proud of is the love we’ve always felt from the fans, which only seems to have grown and grown over the years. To celebrate we’re going to play another huge homecoming show at The Piece Hall. It’s going to be epic – a celebration of everything Embrace stand for – and I honestly can’t wait!”

The feeling is mutual. Nicky Chance-Thompson MBE DL, the CEO of The Piece Hall Charitable Trust, knows how much this gig means to the town and the band's fans.

“Embrace’s 30th anniversary celebrations simply wouldn’t be complete without an epic homecoming show at The Piece Hall! The town is still talking about their last appearance which was a huge favourite with so many fans – so I can’t wait to see the energy they’ll bring.”

Tickets for this must-see event go on general sale at 10am on Friday, 10 October 2025. It’s a date for the diary, for sure.

Who else is playing on the night?

A big celebration needs a big line-up, and this show does not disappoint. Joining Embrace for their special night are Scottish alternative rock greats, Idlewild. They are also celebrating a stellar 30-year career, which has seen them release three UK Top 10 albums and tour with some of the biggest bands in the world, including R.E.M. and U2. Kicking off the whole evening will be Halifax’s very own The Hazy Janes. Their raw blues punk sound has been getting them brilliant reviews and plenty of airtime on BBC Introducing, so it’s great to see local talent opening such a huge show. It promises a full evening of high-quality music from start to finish.

The Piece Hall: more than just a venue

If you’ve never been to The Piece Hall, you’re in for a treat. It’s not your average concert venue. It's a stunning Grade I listed building that first opened way back in 1779. It was originally a place where weavers would come to sell long rolls of woollen cloth, known as ‘pieces’. In fact, it's the only Georgian cloth hall of its kind left in the entire world. Since reopening on 1 August 2017, The Piece has transformed into a fantastic destination for culture, shopping, and food. Its huge open-air courtyard feels like one of those grand squares you might see in Europe, and it’s the perfect spot for live music on a summer evening. The venue is a hub for arts and culture, recently winning an award as the ‘Inspirational Venue of The Year’. It’s a place that champions creativity and community, making it the perfect setting for a band like Embrace to celebrate their 30th anniversary.

Who's behind this massive summer of music?

This epic show is part of the TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall 2026 series. The series is organised by Cuffe and Taylor, one of the UK’s top live music promoters, who are part of the Live Nation family. They’re the people behind some of the biggest tours and festivals across the country. The partnership with TK Maxx, a brand under the TJX Europe umbrella which also includes Homesense, helps make these incredible events possible. Both TK Maxx and Homesense are known for offering a 'treasure hunt' experience, where shoppers can find high-quality brands at great prices. The TJX Europe group operates across Europe and is committed to supporting local communities. The summer series at The Piece Hall is already shaping up to be amazing, with several other headliners announced. Here are the dates confirmed so far for 2026:

• JUN 13 – EMBRACE + IDLEWILD + THE HAZY JANES
• JUN 20 – ETHEL CAIN
• JUL 5 – DAVID GRAY + THE DIVINE COMEDY
• AUG 1 – OPETH
• AUG 8 – THE K’S

With more artists still to be announced, it looks like another record-breaking summer of live music is on the cards for Halifax. The previous year saw 185,000 tickets sold for 36 headline shows, a new record for the venue, proving that The Piece Hall is one of the best places in the UK to see your favourite artists.