When are The Pixies Touring the UK and Europe in 2026 and How to Buy Tickets?

Imagine a band so important that without them, heaps of your favourite rock bands probably wouldn't even exist. That's the Pixies. And for anyone who loves their unique, loud-quiet-loud sound, there’s some massive news. The legendary band is celebrating a huge milestone – 40 years of making music! To mark this incredible anniversary, they're heading out on a massive worldwide tour in 2026, and it all kicks off right here in the UK before rolling through Europe.

So, what’s the big news?

Okay, let's get down to it. The Pixies have officially announced their 'Pixies 40' headline tour to celebrate an amazing four decades since their formation back in 1986. The first batch of dates for 2026 has been confirmed, starting in the UK in May and then moving across Europe through June and July. This is a chance to see the founding members – Black Francis, Joey Santiago, and David Lovering, alongside bassist Emma Richardson – perform live in some incredible venues. The tour will see the band visit cities across the UK, Ireland, Germany, Italy, and The Netherlands.

It makes perfect sense for them to start here. The UK was one of the first places to really 'get' the Pixies, with the British music press championing them before they became a global phenomenon. And now, over 35 years after their groundbreaking platinum album Doolittle stormed the charts, they're back for a victory lap. This isn't just a nostalgia trip; the band is deep into a powerful second creative act, still making vital music. Anyone wanting to be there should know that tickets for these unmissable shows go on sale from Friday, 26th September.

Why are the pixies such a big deal?

For anyone new to them, it's hard to overstate how much the Pixies changed things. Coming out of Boston in 1986, they created a sound that was completely their own. One minute they’d be whispering, the next they’d be screaming, all over weird and wonderful guitar riffs. Their songs had strange, surreal lyrics that didn't sound like anything else on the radio. They quickly became one of the greatest and most pioneering bands in alternative music. Their instantly recognisable sound has been so influential that you can hear bits of it in countless other bands that came after them, from Nirvana to Radiohead.

They are the definition of an influential band, which basically means that generations of musicians heard their music and thought, "Wow, we want to do that!" They proved that rock music could be both catchy and completely strange at the same time, paving the way for the entire alternative rock explosion of the 1990s. Four decades on, their distinctive voice in music remains as powerful as ever.

From chaotic clubs to iconic venues

Their journey has been incredible. The first Pixies live shows were chaotic, no-frills events. There was no glamour or friendly stage banter – just a relentless, explosive wave of sound that redefined what a concert could be. It was a glimpse into a new way rock music could be performed. Their first release in 1987, Come On Pilgrim, introduced their fragmented songwriting, followed by 1988's Surfer Rosa, which proved they were unlike anyone else. Then came the big one: the 1989 album Doolittle. It took their dark, twisted pop hooks and dragged massive crowds into its jagged rhythm, catapulting the band into the UK Top Ten.

By the early ‘90s, relentless tours across the US and Europe had cemented the Pixies as the essential ticket for any fan of alternative music. After their split in 1993, many thought that was it. But their 2004 reunion was massive, leading to instant sell-outs and a triumphant show at the Coachella festival. They were suddenly playing to bigger audiences than ever, full of original fans and a new generation who had discovered their music. It was living proof of their lasting impact and the start of a brilliant second creative act.

Still going strong after four decades

This isn't a band coasting on past glories. Since reuniting, the Pixies have released five acclaimed albums, proving they are still a vital creative force. Their tenth album, The Night The Zombies Came, earned rave reviews. DIY Magazine described them as "one of the most consistent, influential bands on the planet," showing that their work continues to resonate. The Telegraph praised frontman Black Francis, saying, "the great Black Francis is touched by an extraordinary genius," while MOJO simply confirmed, "this most thrillingly deathly of bands remains alive."

Four decades in, the Pixies are still innovative, relevant, and completely unstoppable. The ‘Pixies 40’ tour is a celebration of that entire journey, from the sweaty clubs of Boston to the grand stage of London's Royal Albert Hall. It’s a celebration organised by major concert promoters Metropolis Music, a key part of the global Live Nation Entertainment family, ensuring these shows will be top-tier events.

How to get tickets for the 2026 tour

So, the big question: how can you be part of this celebration? Mark your calendars, because tickets for the UK and Europe dates of the 'Pixies 40' tour go on sale from Friday, 26th September 2025. This is a major live music event backed by Live Nation Entertainment, so demand will be high, especially for their debut at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Here are the dates confirmed so far for 2026:

Date	Venue	City
20th May 2026	Barbican	York, UK
21st May 2026	Alhambra Theatre	Dunfermline, UK
25th May 2026	Aviva Studios	Manchester, UK
28th May 2026	Royal Albert Hall	London, UK
31st May 2026	Live at the Castle	Limerick, Ireland
2nd June 2026	Olympia	Dublin, Ireland
30th June 2026	Zitadelle Spandau	Berlin, Germany
1st July 2026	Parkbühne Clara-Zetkin-Park	Leipzig, Germany
2nd July 2026	myticket Jahrhunderthalle	Frankfurt, Germany
14th July 2026	Parco Della Musica	Milan, Italy
17th July 2026	Maassilo	Rotterdam, The Netherlands
18th July 2026	Muziekcentrum	Enschede, The Netherlands
19th July 2026	PLT	Heerlen, The Netherlands