Deacon Blue & Lightning Seeds: Yorkshire Headline Shows 2026

Picture this: a warm summer evening, a massive crowd singing along, and some of the most iconic tunes from the last few decades filling the air. Sounds good, right? Well, get ready, because Scottish legends Deacon Blue are heading to Yorkshire for a couple of huge outdoor headline shows in summer 2026, and they're bringing some very special guests along for the ride. This is the kind of news that gets you checking the calendar and starting a new chat group with your mates.

A proper Yorkshire welcome

So, where exactly is this all happening? Deacon Blue has lined up two massive nights back-to-back. First, the band will be taking over the stunning courtyard of The Piece Hall in Halifax on Thursday, 9th July. Then, the very next day, Friday, 10th July, they're heading to the coast for a show at the famous Scarborough Open Air Theatre. Both events are part of the TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall and Scarborough Open Air Theatre series, which always brings amazing acts to these fantastic venues.

And it gets even better. For both of these headline shows, Deacon Blue will be joined by none other than indie-pop icons Lightning Seeds. That's right, a double bill of pure musical brilliance. It's a chance to hear all the classic hits from both bands, plus some new stuff, all in one incredible night. Tickets for both gigs are set to go on general sale at 10am on Friday, so it's a good idea to be ready. More information can be found on the venues' websites.

Forty years of hits and a new road

It's hard to believe, but this tour celebrates 40 years since frontman Ricky Ross and Dougie Vipond first formed the band. Four decades on, and they are still as brilliant as ever. Fans can expect to hear all the classics that have become the soundtrack to so many lives - tunes like 'Chocolate Girl', 'Wages Day', and 'Fergus Sings The Blues'.

But this isn't just about looking back. The shows will also feature songs from their latest album, The Great Western Road. This record has been a massive success, hitting Number 3 in the UK charts and topping the Scottish Album Chart, making it their most successful studio release in over thirty years. It's proof that Deacon Blue are still making incredible, relevant music.

Speaking about the tour, frontman Ricky Ross said: "No one knows where The Great Western Road ends up, least of all us! For now the road goes on and next summer we are taking the shows to some beautiful outdoor venues. We can't wait to see you there and we promise to make every night very special."

What about the special guests?

Having Lightning Seeds as the special guests is a masterstroke. The Liverpudlian band, led by the brilliant Ian Broudie, are famous for their feel-good, melodic tunes that just make you want to smile. From 'Pure' and 'Lucky You' to 'The Life of Riley', their songs are proper indie anthems. They burst onto the scene in the late 80s and have been a fan favourite ever since, known for their fantastic live performances. Having them on the bill makes an already unmissable night even more special. It's a perfect pairing of two legendary bands.

The venues are pretty special too

If you've never been to a gig at The Piece Hall or Scarborough Open Air Theatre, you're in for a treat. The Piece Hall in Halifax is an amazing Grade I listed building. It's the only remaining Georgian cloth hall in the world, and its huge open-air courtyard is a breathtaking place to see live music. Nicky Chance-Thompson MBE DL, CEO of The Piece Hall Charitable Trust, is clearly excited:

"I'm so pleased we're finally able to bring one of our most requested bands to Halifax. Still sounding as fresh as they did 40 years ago, their uplifting but emotive tunes will be enhanced further by the beauty of this venue and its stunning backdrop. And with the much-loved Lightning Seeds being welcomed back to support we're getting a full night of fantastic indie pop magic."

Meanwhile, the Scarborough Open Air Theatre is Europe's largest open-air theatre, with a history of hosting some of the biggest names in music. Julian Murray, from the promoters Cuffe and Taylor, said: "Summer 2026 is shaping up to be a season of hits on the Yorkshire coast. We're delighted to be working with Deacon Blue again on what I am sure will be another incredible night with this band. Their show here in 2024 was a phenomenal success so we look forward to doing it all over again, and this time joined by very special guests Lightning Seeds who always create a brilliant atmosphere to deliver a great night."

Who else is playing these summer shows?

The summer 2026 line-ups for both venues are already looking incredible. Deacon Blue and Lightning Seeds are joining a seriously impressive list of artists. It seems TK Maxx presents has pulled out all the stops.

Live at The Piece Hall 2026 Line-up

• JUN 6: SHED SEVEN + SEB LOWE + THE GUEST LIST
• JUN 13: EMBRACE + IDLEWILD + The HAZY JANES
• JUN 14: PAUL WELLER
• JUN 19: THE KOOKS
• JUN 20: ETHEL CAIN
• JUN 21: BELLE AND SEBASTIAN + SAINT ETIENNE
• JUL 4: JAMES ARTHUR
• JUL 5: DAVID GRAY + THE DIVINE COMEDY
• JUL 9: DEACON BLUE + LIGHTNING SEEDS
• JUL 10: BILLY OCEAN + MARTI PELLOW
• JUL 12: BILLY OCEAN + MARTI PELLOW
• JUL 19: ALEX JAMES' BRITPOP CLASSICAL
• JUL 26: TOM GRENNAN
• AUG 1: OPETH + PARADISE LOST
• AUG 8: THE K'S
• AUG 21: THE WOMBATS

Scarborough Open Air Theatre 2026 Line-up

• JUN 12: PAUL WELLER
• JUN 18: THE KOOKS
• JUN 26: PETE TONG IBIZA CLASSICS
• JUN 28: BILLY OCEAN + MARTI PELLOW
• JUL 3: JAMES ARTHUR
• JUL 4: DAVID GRAY + THE DIVINE COMEDY
• JUL 10: DEACON BLUE + LIGHTNING SEEDS
• JUL 17: ALEX JAMES' BRITPOP CLASSICAL
• JUL 22: TEDDY SWIMS + JORDAN RAKEI
• JUL 23: TEDDY SWIMS + JORDAN RAKEI

A bit about the people behind the music

Putting on huge shows like this involves a lot of people. The events are part of the 'TK Maxx presents' series, which is a partnership with the retailer TK Maxx. The brand, along with its sister company Homesense, is part of TJX Europe and is known for offering great value on a huge range of branded merchandise. The concert series, promoted by Cuffe and Taylor (who are part of Live Nation), brings top-tier artists to unique locations across the UK, from Scarborough to Halifax and beyond. It's all about creating unforgettable live music experiences for everyone to enjoy.