Legendary Band Sparks Announce Return to York, 52 Years After Last Performance in the City

Ever heard your parents or grandparents talk about a band they loved back in the day? Imagine that band, after disappearing from your local town for over half a century, suddenly announced they were coming back. Well, for music fans in York, that’s exactly what’s happening.

The legendary band Sparks have just dropped some massive news: they are making a special return to York for a huge gig this summer. It’s a pretty big deal, especially since their last performance in the city was way back in 1974. That’s a 52-year gap! The iconic duo will be performing at the York Barbican on Tuesday, 25 August, as part of a massive world tour that’s already taking them across the globe.

A long-awaited return to Yorkshire

Let's put that 52-year wait into perspective. 1974 was the year the first Rubik's Cube was made and ABBA won Eurovision. It’s a seriously long time to wait for a band to return. But the wait is finally over. The Mael brothers are bringing their incredible music back to York, and the excitement is real.

This new UK date isn't just a random stop; it’s been added specifically because of phenomenal demand from fans. People have been desperate to get tickets for their tour, and Sparks have listened. Alongside the York show, they’ve also added a new date in Southend-on-Sea on Wednesday, 26 August, and another in Antwerp, Belgium. The demand for these shows has been off the charts, with several other UK shows already sold out. So, if you're keen to go, you’ll need to be quick. Tickets for the new dates, including the big return to York, go on general sale at 9am on Friday, 17 April.

Who are Sparks?

Good question. If you haven't heard of them, think of Sparks as your favourite band's favourite band. This pop music duo, made up of brothers Ron and Russell Mael, have been game-changers in the music world for decades. They first smashed into the UK charts in 1974 with their massive hit, ‘This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both of Us’. But they weren't a one-hit wonder. For the next five decades, the legendary brothers have been creating new sounds, inventing genres, and inspiring countless other musicians.

Their influence is huge, touching everyone from Joy Division and Depeche Mode to modern acts like Beck and The Last Dinner Party. In fact, superstar producer Jack Antonoff once said, “all pop music is re-arranged Sparks.” That’s a massive compliment. If you want to get up to speed, check out the brilliant film by director Edgar Wright called The Sparks Brothers, which tells their incredible story. They are true pioneers of pop music.

What’s new with the Mael brothers?

These guys aren't just touring their old classics. They are still making brilliant new music. The current tour follows the release of their 28th studio album, called MAD!, and a companion EP, MADDER!. Their previous world tour in 2025 was met with rave reviews. Louder Than War described their shows as “a hundred minutes of energetic, thrilling pop songs,” while The Spectator called one performance “an unadulterated triumph.” The Scotsman even said the “Mael brothers take fans to heaven and back.” This just goes to show that Ron and Russell Mael are still at the very top of their game, performing with an energy that bands half their age would be jealous of. This incredible reception is exactly why the demand for more shows, like the one in York, has been so high. This band is on fire.

A busy summer of performing

The York gig on 25 August is just one part of a jam-packed summer for the band. Their tour sees them performing across the UK, Europe, and beyond. One of the biggest highlights will be their appearance at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where they'll be special guests for the one and only Gorillaz. Imagine that line-up! It's a testament to how respected Sparks are in the music industry. The two bands recently collaborated on a track called ‘The Happy Dictator’ for the latest Gorillaz album, The Mountain, and even performed it together on American TV. On top of that, the band will also be taking to the stage at the much-loved Green Man Festival in Wales. So, whether you catch them at their own headline shows or alongside another massive band, you’re in for a treat. It's a massive return for a truly legendary band.

Full list of tour dates

The Sparks tour is a global event, covering continents and some of the best venues in the world. Here’s a full rundown of where the brothers will be performing. Mark your calendars, because you won't want to miss this!

• Tuesday 5 May – Japan, Tokyo SGC Hall ARIAKE

• Wednesday 6 May – Japan, Tokyo, Duo Music Exchange

• Thursday 21 May – New Zealand, Christchurch Town Hall

• Saturday 23 May – New Zealand, Auckland, Kiri Te Kanawa Centre

• Monday 25 May – Australia, Sydney, Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House

• Thursday 28 May – Australia, Melbourne, Palais Theatre

• Saturday 30 May – Australia, Brisbane, Glasshouse Theatre, QPAC

• Friday 12 June – UK, London, Chelsea Live @ Royal Hospital Chelsea

• Sunday 14 June – UK, Glasgow, Kelvingrove Bandstand (SOLD OUT)

• Monday 15 June – UK, Blackpool Opera House (MORE TICKETS RELEASED)

• Wednesday 17 June – UK, Bournemouth International Centre

• Thursday 18 June – UK, Bristol Beacon (SOLD OUT)

• Saturday 20 June – UK, London, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (as special guests of Gorillaz)

• Thursday 20 August – Netherlands, Nijmegen, Openluchttheater De Goffert (NEW)

• Friday 21 August – France, Charleville-Mézières, Cabaret Vert Festival

• Date TBA – UK, Crickhowell, Green Man Festival

• Tuesday 25 August – UK, York Barbican (NEW)

• Wednesday 26 August – UK, Southend-on-Sea, Cliffs Pavilion (NEW)

• Saturday 29 August – Belgium, Antwerp, De Roma (NEW)