Starsailor Announce 2026 UK Tour With Strings for 25th Anniversary of 'Love Is Here'

Celebrate Starsailor’s iconic debut album with a special 2026 UK tour featuring lush string arrangements.

If you’ve ever been swept away by the emotive waves of Starsailor’s debut album Love Is Here, get ready for something truly special. The band has announced a 2026 UK tour to celebrate the 25th anniversary of that very album, but this time, they’re adding an elegant twist — performing with strings.

This isn’t just another tour; it’s a heartfelt homage to a record that still resonates deeply with fans after a quarter of a century. The six-date tour will showcase Love Is Here played in full, accompanied by a string ensemble arranged and conducted by the talented Joe Duddell, whose orchestral touch has graced acts like New Order, Elbow, and Richard Hawley.

The Tour Details: Where and When

The journey kicks off at the legendary London Palladium on October 2, 2026. From there, Starsailor will enchant audiences at:

• October 3: De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill
• October 17: Usher Hall, Edinburgh
• October 18: Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
• October 22: Lighthouse, Poole
• October 23: Town Hall, Birmingham

This string-backed tour promises to add a fresh emotional depth and grandeur to the songs that first captured our hearts.

Carrying Forward the String Legacy

This isn’t Starsailor’s first dance with strings. Earlier this year, they joined forces with Joe Duddell and a string section at Liverpool’s Tung Auditorium, a collaboration that produced the Starsailor With Strings: Live From Liverpool album released in October via East West / Parlophone. The live album captured the magic of their new sound — a fusion of their raw indie rock roots with sweeping orchestral arrangements.

Lead vocalist James Walsh expressed his excitement:

“The response to the ‘Starsailor with Strings: Live from Liverpool’ gigs and, more recently, the album release has been incredible, so it made sense to continue working with Joe and the Up North String Orchestra as we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of ‘Love is Here’.”

He added with reflective warmth,

“Fans continue to tell us how much our debut album means to them, so we’re excited to be playing it in full for them next year, this time with the added power and emotion of the strings!”

The combination of nostalgic melodies and fresh orchestration is sure to be a powerful experience for longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Relive 'Love Is Here' with This Official Video

For those wanting a taste of Starsailor’s moody, heartfelt sound, here’s the official video for “Good Souls” — one of the signature tracks from Love Is Here that still sends chills down our spines.

Why This Album Still Matters

Love Is Here isn’t just a record; it was a defining soundtrack for so many of us who grew up in the early 2000s amid the post-Britpop wave. Back in 2021, Starsailor marked the 20th anniversary of this seminal album with a deluxe reissue, reminding fans just how timeless their music truly is.

James Walsh has spoken candidly about the band’s journey and the era they emerged from. He challenged a common misconception, saying:

“One of the big misconceptions is that people were stood around waiting for The Strokes or The White Stripes to come around, like they needed this big explosion. I love The Strokes, but there’s a perception music fans needed this injection of life.”

Walsh recalled the excitement and passion of those early gigs, reflecting on the New Acoustic Movement alongside bands like Turin Brakes and Coldplay:

“The people coming were passionate, and it certainly didn’t feel like a stopgap.”

That vibrant energy is something the band clearly aims to capture again in this anniversary tour — a celebration not just of an album, but of a shared musical spirit.

Starsailor’s 2026 UK Tour Dates Recap

• October 2: London, Palladium
• October 3: Bexhill, De La Warr Pavilion
• October 17: Edinburgh, Usher Hall
• October 18: Manchester, Bridgewater Hall
• October 22: Poole, Lighthouse
• October 23: Birmingham, Town Hall

Tickets for the tour launch with a Spotify Fans First pre-sale starting at 10 AM on Wednesday, November 26. The general sale follows two days later on Friday, November 28, at 10 AM. Don’t miss your chance to experience this unique celebration of Love Is Here with the lush accompaniment of strings.

Keeping the Spirit Alive

While gearing up for this special tour next year, Starsailor is also in the midst of a UK and European tour marking 25 years since their formation. Fans can still catch dates in London, Newcastle, Glasgow, and Manchester — a testament to their lasting appeal and connection with audiences across generations.

To Sum It Up: Why We’re Excited

Starsailor’s 25th anniversary tour with strings is more than a nostalgia trip; it’s a fresh, emotional reimagination of a beloved album. With Joe Duddell’s orchestral expertise and the band’s raw heartfelt melodies, Love Is Here will echo through some of the UK’s most iconic venues, reminding us why this music still means so much.

It’s the perfect time to revisit those early 2000s memories and feel those songs in a new light — fuller, richer, and more stirring than ever.

FAQ

• When does the Starsailor 2026 UK tour start?
  It begins on October 2, 2026, at London’s Palladium.
• Will the band perform the entire 'Love Is Here' album?
  Yes, the full album will be played during the tour with added string arrangements.
• Who is arranging the string sections for the tour?
  Joe Duddell, known for his work with New Order and Elbow, is arranging and conducting the strings.
• Are tickets already on sale?
  Tickets will be available starting with a Spotify Fans First pre-sale on November 26 and general sale on November 28.
• Has Starsailor done a similar strings collaboration before?
  Yes, they performed with strings at Liverpool’s Tung Auditorium earlier in 2025, which resulted in a live album release.

Relive the magic of Love Is Here and keep the 2000s spirit alive! For fans who want to bring the tour vibes home, why not shop your favorite Starsailor album cover posters? Explore our curated collection here and celebrate this timeless classic in your own space.