Big Country Redux Coming to Yorkshire in 2026

Big Country Redux have announced a 15 date UK tour in November and December 2026 to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of The Seer, bringing the celebration to the region for four major performances.

The band will play at The Crypt in Middlesbrough on Thursday November 19th, Holmfirth Picturedrome on Friday November 20th, The Crescent in York on Saturday November 21st, and Sheffield Corporation on Sunday November 22nd.

All dates featuring support from Evan Peters Presents The Alarm.

The band are led by Bruce Watson, one of the founding members of Big Country, alongside the late, great guitarist, singer and songwriter Stuart Adamson. Their classic third album, The Seer, hit the No.2 spot in the UK and featured the song ‘Look Away’, which was their biggest hit in the UK, whilst the title track featured a duet between Stuart Adamson and Kate Bush. Between 2011 and 2013, following the death of Stuart Adamson, Evan’s father Mike Peters was the lead vocalist for Big Country as well as The Alarm.

September will see the release of the Eastworld album, which will be released on CD, Vinyl and Digital on 18 September through Absolute. The album will be preceded by the first single, the title track ‘Eastworld’ on 5 June 2026. The album consists of 10 brand new recordings of Big Country songs originally written or co-written by Stuart Adamson, which were released as demos or sketches, but never previously properly developed or lavished with the attention they deserved. With the publication of the well-regarded book on Adamson’s life Stay Alive by Scott Rowley, and a forthcoming documentary, the spotlight is on the band and the legacy once again.

Acclaimed UK tours

Bruce Watson said of the Eastworld release, “Some of these songs will be known to the diehards as they have sneaked out from the archives as unfinished demos or ‘internet only’ releases, but these are all songs that deserved to be developed further at the time they were written. I am delighted to have now completed them; it is a true privilege to get this newly recorded material out there. All of these songs were sketched out on old reel to reel tape recorders in dingy basements or in small 8 track studios”.

The Big Country Redux line-up includes Bruce Watson (guitar/vocals), his son Jamie Watson (guitar/vocals), Tommie Paxton (vocals/guitar), Chris Stones (bass), and Reece Dobbin (drums). Jamie has been performing with his father since 2003. His first gig saw him take to the stage with Sex Pistol Glen Matlock and Mick Jones from The Clash as part of The Dead Men Walking tour, he was only 14 years old. Both Tommie and Chris were fans of Big Country and indeed performed together in Big Country tribute band, ‘Restless Natives’. Reece was local to the Watsons in Dunfermline and is deemed by Bruce essential to Big Country Redux as the band’s songs require, “a technical drummer with feel and stamina”.

2026 is a year of anniversaries for Big Country. It will be 45 years since Stuart Adamson left Skids and made good on his promise to start something amazing with Bruce Watson; the latter’s agreement was music’s gain but a loss to the Fife submarine building industry! This year also marks four decades since the band’s third album The Seer was released. Tragically, however, this year will also mark 25 years since Stuart Adamson passed away.

Together with bass player Tony Butler and drummer Mark Brzezicki, Big Country’s classic debut album The Crossing (1983) sold over 2 million copies and earned 3 Grammy nominations. Second album Steeltown (1984) went straight to Number 1. In total, Big Country had 17 top 30 UK singles and made gold and platinum status albums. Hit singles like ‘In A Big Country’, ‘Wonderland’, ‘Chance’, ‘Fields Of Fire’ and the band’s biggest ‘Look Away’, made them Top Of The Pops regulars, and they toured with Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, David Bowie, and the Rolling Stones. Mick Jagger called them “one of the best opening bands we ever had”. As the songs on Eastworld attest, the music was always uplifting but some of the inspiration and source material, from war, global politics and personal circumstance, was darker than many knew.

The upcoming Yorkshire performances at The Crypt, Holmfirth Picturedrome, The Crescent, and Corporation will feature a setlist bringing together classic singles, fan favourites, and newer material, serving as a reminder that Big Country’s music remains as vital as ever. Watson reunited with Butler and Brzezicki in 2007 to celebrate the band’s 25th anniversary. Mike Peters from The Alarm along with Jamie joined the band in 2011 and recorded an album of original material called The Journey. Bruce Watson continues to pay tribute to Stuart and the music they made together. As he says, “Big Country is my life and a labour of love. I feel a responsibility to continue the story”

With this 40th Anniversary tour for The Seer, and of course the new album Eastworld, Big Country Redux does just that, and in some style.

Tickets are on sale now