Dead Dads Club Unveils 2026 UK Tour Dates: A Must-See Indie Rock Journey

Get ready for Dead Dads Club’s 2026 UK tour as they bring their raw, heartfelt indie rock to cities nationwide, reflecting on loss and resilience.

A New Chapter Begins: Dead Dads Club’s 2026 Tour Announcement

If you've been following the indie scene, you know there's an exciting buzz around Dead Dads Club—the passionate project helmed by Chilli Jesson, the former frontman of Palma Violets. Just when you thought indie couldn't get more compelling, they’ve announced a headline UK tour for May 2026, and fans are already marking their calendars.

This tour will kick off in Birmingham's intimate Sunflower Lounge on May 12, before taking Jesson and his band through a diverse lineup of cities including Cardiff, Brighton, Norwich, London, Bedford, and Liverpool. They’ll wrap things up with a show at Southampton’s Zerox venue on May 22. It’s a tight but vibrant tour, packed with stops that promise electric atmospheres and deep musical connection.

Tickets for this much-anticipated tour are already available. Whether you’re a longtime Jesson fan or newly curious about this bold indie rock force, these dates are not to be missed.

From Palma Violets to Dead Dads Club: Jesson’s Musical Evolution

For those who remember Palma Violets' raucous charm, Chilli Jesson’s return with Dead Dads Club feels like a welcome homecoming—only this time, it’s deeper and even more personal. The self-titled debut album was released this January via Fiction Records, produced by Carlos O’Connell, guitarist for Fontaines D.C. The collaboration itself is a treat, blending Jesson’s signature indie rock grit with O’Connell’s textured, atmospheric production.

Jesson’s journey to this point has been layered. After Palma Violets’ split, he ventured into a short-lived project called Crewel Intentions, followed by a solo phase. In 2023, he performed as a multi-instrumentalist live with Fontaines D.C., where he crossed paths with O’Connell, sparking this fruitful creative partnership.

The album’s themes are raw and unfiltered: grief, loss, and coming to terms with the past. Jesson’s father passed away when he was just 14 due to drug addiction, a wound that has permeated his life and art. This record channels those turbulent emotions with poignant songwriting and evocative soundscapes.

The Tour Dates You Need to Know

Here’s the full list of Dead Dads Club's UK tour stops in May 2026, so you can plan accordingly:

• May 12 – Birmingham, Sunflower Lounge
• May 13 – Cardiff, Clwd Ifor Bach
• May 14 – Brighton, The Great Escape
• May 15 – Norwich, Voodoo Daddy’s
• May 19 – London, Camden Assembly
• May 20 – Bedford, Esquires
• May 21 – Liverpool, Rough Trade
• May 22 – Southampton, Zerox

Each venue offers a unique vibe—from the cozy underground feel of Sunflower Lounge to the historic energy of Camden Assembly—making this tour an indie lover’s dream.

A Deeply Personal Album Backdrop

The Dead Dads Club album isn’t just another indie record; it’s a cathartic exploration of Jesson’s relationship with grief. He’s opened up about how this was an album he longed to write since his teenage years but wasn’t emotionally ready until now. A closed book for years on the subject, Jesson found courage to confront these feelings through music.

His sister, Georgie Jesson, also recently released a poetry book touching on similar themes of loss. It’s fascinating to see siblings using art as a medium to process the same family pain from different angles.

“This record can be interpreted, lyrically, as a very specific time for me, or it can be loss in general,” Jesson shared in an interview. “This was an album that I’d wanted to write since I was 15, but I didn’t have the capability to get it out. I never used to really speak about it – at all. I used to be a fucking closed book with this subject.”
— Chilli Jesson

This vulnerability shines through the album’s sound and lyrics, making it resonate deeply with anyone who’s faced loss or emotional hardship.

Critical Acclaim and Fan Reception

The album has been warmly welcomed by critics and fans alike. It’s been hailed as Jesson’s most significant work since Palma Violets, delivering a potent mix of emotional rawness and sonic sophistication.

One review gave it four stars, praising how Jesson “steered himself musically back on course” by diving into his bleakest moments. The sentiment? Nobody wants to be part of the Dead Dads Club, but if you are, this album at least gives you an unforgettable soundtrack.

Why This Tour Matters

Dead Dads Club’s upcoming tour is not just a series of concerts; it feels like a shared experience of healing through music. After years of personal and artistic growth, Jesson is inviting audiences to witness and participate in this journey. There’s something refreshing about artists bearing their souls on stage, and with the emotional backdrop of this album, these shows promise to be intense, uplifting, and deeply connected.

If you’ve ever found solace in music during tough times, this tour will strike a chord. It’s a chance to celebrate resilience, community, and the power of art to transform pain into something beautiful.

Get Your Tickets and Join the Club

Don’t miss your chance to catch Dead Dads Club live in 2026. Tickets are available now, and these intimate venues will surely fill up fast. Whether you’re in Birmingham, London, or Liverpool, the band’s blend of heartfelt indie rock and raw emotional honesty is set to make every show a memorable night.

FAQ

• What is the Dead Dads Club 2026 UK tour schedule?
  The tour runs from May 12 to May 22, covering eight cities including Birmingham, Cardiff, Brighton, Norwich, London, Bedford, Liverpool, and Southampton.
• Who is Chilli Jesson?
  Chilli Jesson is the former frontman of Palma Violets and the driving force behind Dead Dads Club, blending personal storytelling with indie rock.
• What themes does the Dead Dads Club album explore?
  The album delves into grief, loss, and emotional healing, inspired by Jesson’s experience losing his father to addiction at a young age.
• Who produced the Dead Dads Club debut album?
  Carlos O’Connell, guitarist from Fontaines D.C., produced the record, adding a rich, textured layer to the band’s sound.
• How can I buy tickets for the 2026 tour?
  Tickets are available now through major ticketing platforms, so it’s best to grab yours early before they sell out.

Ready to bring your favorite album cover into your space? Shop the exclusive Dead Dads Club poster at our store and keep the spirit of the music alive in your home. Shop now.