Bellowhead – Bridgewater Hall, Manchester – 12th November 2026

And off we go… with not quite fully comprehensive – still several shows to come so thinking eggs…basket… we take the tram (an adventure in itself) to Manchester to begin our reasonably informed , but well intentioned coverage of the 2026 Bellowhead tour.

HERE WE GO AGAIN

Time for another round of organised chaos. The sort that makes out tummies fizz. Yes, we’ve unashamedly stolen soundbites from Jon Boden and Sam Sweeney who’ve already joined their bandmates in sailing the choppy waters of the social media talking about the latest round of Bellowhead touring.

Dates were announced and tickets on sale almost a year ago – not quite the furor (or expense) that recent U2 album and tour announcement (greatest show on Earth? Some in attendance tonight might dispute) has caused, but definitely a shiver of excitement. Suddenly here counting down and we’re here!

On this occasion of what’s becoming a two yearly cycle (in a particularly chilly November), and with no new music to promote, it’s a chance to celebrate 20 years of Burlesque. The first ‘full’ Bellowhead album and containing many songs which have been either active or visited in the setlists over the years/ London Town and Frogs Legs & Dragon’s Teeth often at the business end of the set when the party is in full swing.

Several provide the link between the Spiers & Boden duo and the eleven piece folkonaut, Sloe Gin and Courting Too Slow (which is actually the only song from the album not played)plus a bit of big band drama with Fire Marengo and Jordan. So – a full playthough? Not as many bands do “because we don’t want to,” explains Jon Boden. All very rock and roll. They opt for a healthy smattering through the set of almost all the album. Plus some ‘hits’ and expectation of a bit of NY Girls to see us out. Fair do’s as they say around these parts.

AND SO TO THE BRIDGEWATER

We catch the third date that falls in Manchester, as the first where the ATB team will be in attendance at a good enough ratio of the shows not to be obsessive and in need of a restraining order.

Word from our intel sources report that opening night in Leicester found the gang on fine form. “Fresh,” according to sax man Brendan Kelly. “Fresh but not ripe,” although there was seemingly some spoilsport staff not to happy with an audience who wanted to get on their feet and dance. (Note for further evidence for the standing/seated show debate).

Tonight feels like a recce for what’s to unfold in theatres across the UK throughout November. It’s also Sally Hawkins home gig – and possibly Jim Bulger too – as they embarks on her third tour in Team Strings and the Brass gang respectively.

And, almost as important as the music, the costumes. Even a swift perusal of photos from the 2006 album launch at Bush Hall saw the band donning the sort of costumery which hasn’t been replicated since – not even Jon Boden’s sparkly jacket or Sam Sweeney’s light up shoes could compete. However, there’s a marked uplevelling that may possibly have seen the thrift shops and costumiers to the great and the good taking a hit.

Eleven like a line up of reprobates from Dylan’s Desolation Row. Yes Bob, the circus is in town. A mind boggling number of sequins have gone into the mix while first impressions count and from the front of the gallery it’s Brendan Kelly’s heavily sequined, sparkly red jacket and outrageously flared checked trousers that projects most to catch the eye. Along with his dance moves , for which the phrase ‘dance like no-one’s watching was surely made – he demands attention.

AT THE CLUB BURLESQUE

This tour’s stage set up sees the old Broadside galleon rigging transformed into a deep scarlet themed cabaret establishment with a hint of circus big top about it. A couple of risers and what someone in the Bellowhead gang (possibly sound man Andy Bell) once called ‘ego platforms’ where Jon Boden especially, can add another foot (or 30cm in metric) to his height to tower over those in the front rows. The backdrop revealing the masked visage of the Burlesque lady that bizarrely reminds me of Iron Maiden’s Eddie mascot on the Final Frontier album… Moving swiftly on, the set feels like a game of two halves.

Slowly building with an assortment of Burlesque songs and tune sets to the halfway mark. A significant one as the band pays tribute to the late and lovely Ed Neuhauser; Bellowhead helicon man and the go to man for “sniffing out the best fish and chips and pubs in the locale,” according to Benji Kirkpatrick. Ed suddenly and sadly passed just about a year ago and it’s a touching moment as the band gathers for a tender One May Morning Early which they sang at his funeral. A lovely man all agree and a fitting tribute. It doesn’t go unnoticed that several of the band take time to turn to the rear projection screen where his name and silhouette for a moment of reflection.

THE TURNING POINT

The moment also marks the turning point as respectful sensitivity is countered with a rousing March Past; an interesting pairing as thoughts turn to Paul Sartin whose devastating loss hit especially hard just before the first reunion tour in 2022. If the memory serves correctly, he used to do his Saturday Night Fever dance on the Team Strings riser during this tune during the ‘disco section’. All shades and hairy chest and whole load of fun. Tonight we get Jim Bulger doing what an unnamed source (name with held in case of repercussions), his bouncing ‘stage invader’ dance.

Quoting Benji again, it cues what he calls “messing about on stage in silly ways.” He’s as guilty as anyone with the remarkable rubber-legged moves he throws during the riotous – make that most riotous – part of Haul Away before he takes on the Sloe Gin morris – “it was easier twenty years ago,” deadpans Mr Boden. But having mentioned it, perhaps the next Bellowhead topic for discussion (after the old chestnut of seated / standing) should be ‘best song’. No matter how long the debate, when you go to a Bellowhead gig and hear them take the roof off with Haul Away, any other contenders can’t hold a match.

We’ve seen these chaps and chapesses onstage in their various musical projects from Spiers & Boden to Seth Lakeman band, Rachael’s Cartographers and The Remnant Kings, but nothing compares to the jubilation and the sheer exuberance and tight musicality of the collective. Ever onwards – with feeling. To Liverpool, Harrogate, a paddle on the rocky Llandudno beach and even for one of the standing gigs – keep an eye for continued coverage and observation.

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