Svalbard Announces Final Farewell Tours Before Disbanding

The post-hardcore band Svalbard reveals plans for farewell tours in 2026 after 15 years of making waves in the music scene.

A Bittersweet Farewell from Bristol's Svalbard

Bristol’s renowned post-hardcore band, Svalbard, has announced they will be disbanding, marking the end of an era with a series of farewell shows lined up over the next year.

Formed back in 2011 by the talented trio Serena Cherry, Liam Phelan, and Mark Lilley, Svalbard carved out a niche in the post-hardcore scene with four critically acclaimed albums:

• One Day All This Will End (2015)
• It’s Hard To Have Hope (2018)
• When I Die, Will I Get Better? (2020)
• The Weight Of The Mask (2023)

The news came straight from the band’s Instagram on May 28, where they shared a heartfelt message:

“2026 will be the last year of Svalbard.”
“After much reflection, we have decided to call it a day and want to thank all our fans and everyone who has supported us during our 15 years as a band.”
“Your support has meant the world to us. We’ve shared so many unforgettable moments and we look forward to commemorating our last year as a band with you in 2026.”
— Svalbard

Final Tours: UK, Europe, Japan & Beyond

Svalbard has confirmed a final UK tour scheduled for November 2024, which will be followed by farewell tours across Europe and Japan, alongside several select shows throughout 2026. If you're a fan, this is your chance to catch them live one last time!

November UK Tour Dates:

• Nov 19 – Glasgow, Slay
• Nov 20 – Manchester, Rebellion
• Nov 21 – Newcastle, Think Tank
• Nov 22 – Bristol, Thekla
• Nov 23 – London, Oslo Hackney

Grab your tickets here for the UK shows!

Serena Cherry Reflects on Their Journey

Lead singer Serena Cherry opened up about the band's decision to part ways, reflecting on their incredible journey:

“From the moment we formed Svalbard in 2011, all we wanted was to play loud and play shows. Every single moment was exciting to us, from playing DIY squat shows to major metal festivals all over Europe. I think we will always feel a slight state of disbelief over what our noisy little band from Bristol managed to achieve.”

She continued:

“We never wanted to create music that was easy to pigeonhole, and I feel proud that we always stayed true to ourselves musically and never restricted our creativity within the genre rule book. The support we received over the years as a band is something that I will carry in my heart forever. It’s a testament to the open-mindedness of the metal community that our sound and our outspokenness was embraced with open arms.”

“I would like to say a very heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported Svalbard, it’s been an incredible journey and we could not have done it without you.”
— Serena Cherry

Upcoming Festival Appearance

Before their farewell tours, Svalbard is also set to perform at the Download Festival on June 13, giving fans another exciting live moment to look forward to.

Svalbard’s decision to disband comes after a remarkable 15-year run, leaving behind a legacy of raw, heartfelt music and passionate performances. Their farewell tours will surely be emotional celebrations of a band that defied easy categorization and won over a dedicated fanbase with both their music and their authenticity.

What are your favorite memories or songs from Svalbard? Will you be attending their final shows? Let us know!

Frequently Asked Questions

• What year did Svalbard form?
  Svalbard was formed in 2011 in Bristol.
• How many albums did Svalbard release?
  They released four albums: One Day All This Will End, It’s Hard To Have Hope, When I Die, Will I Get Better?, and The Weight Of The Mask.
• When will Svalbard officially disband?
  The band will officially conclude in 2026 after their farewell tours and shows.
• Are there farewell tour dates announced?
  Yes, a final UK tour is planned for November 2024, followed by tours across Europe and Japan in 2026.
• Will Svalbard be performing at any festivals before disbanding?
  Yes, they are set to play at the Download Festival on June 13.

Don’t miss out on commemorating this iconic band’s journey—shop your favorite Svalbard album cover posters at our store and keep their legacy alive on your walls!