rival sons uk tour dates

Rival Sons announce summer 2022 UK & Ireland Tour

They play eight dates in June and July

Long Beach rockers Rival Sons have announced a headline UK & Ireland tour for summer 2022.

Celebrating the belated 10th anniversary of their second studio album ‘Pressure & Time’, Rival Sons will play a total of eight shows as part of a larger European tour.

The trek kicks off at Norwich UEA on Monday 27th June and calls in at Sheffield, Dublin, Belfast, Blackburn, Cardiff and Nottingham before culminating at London O2 Forum Kentish Town on Wednesday 6th July 2022.

Rival Sons said: “We are delighted to announce that we're coming back to Europe this summer - hitting up some great festivals plus delivering some Pressure & Time special headline shows. We cannot wait to see you!”

Tickets to all dates except Belfast and Dublin go on sale from Planet Rock Tickets at 10am on Friday 25th March.

Rival Sons’ most recent studio album ‘Feral Roots’ was released in January 2019 and it peaked at Number 12 on the UK album chart. It was their third consecutive Top 20 record on these shores.

Rival Sons’ UK & Ireland tour dates:

Norwich UEA – Mon 27th

Sheffield O2 Academy – Tue 28th

Dublin The Academy – Thu 30th

Belfast Limelight – Fri 1st

Blackburn King George’s Hall – Sat 2nd

Cardiff University Great Hall – Mon 4th

Nottingham Rock City – Tue 5th

London O2 Forum Kentish Town – Wed 6th

Buy Rival Sons tickets

The rejected working titles of 20 famous rock albums:, metallica – ‘metal up your ass’ (final title: ‘kill ‘em all’).

Metallica's seminal debut album 'Kill 'Em All' from 1983 was originally set to be called 'Metal Up Your Ass' and featured artwork of a hand clutching a dagger emerging from a toilet bowl. The band changed it to 'Kill 'Em All' upon the advice of late Megaforce Records founder Jon Zazula who was rightfully worried that distributors may refuse to stock the album. Metallica did later release a 'Metal Up Your Ass' T-shirt containing the proposed artwork, and a 1982 bootleg recording of Metallica's show at the Old Waldorf also featured the sleeve.

Metallica's rejected 'Metal Up Your Ass' artwork and album title. Fan sites claims that late-great bassist Cliff Burton renamed the album when out of anger, he said, "I hate the managers. Let's just Kill 'Em All".

Iron Maiden – ‘Food for Thought’ (final title: ‘Piece of Mind’)

Iron Maiden initially called their fourth studio album 'Food for Thought' after the heavy metal legends opted to include a lobotomised Eddie on the sleeve. However, when Maiden decamped to Jersey to write songs for the 1983 record, they changed the title to 'Piece of Mind' during a boozy session in the pub.

Red Hot Chili Peppers – ‘Dr Johnny Skinz's Disproportionately Rambunctious Polar Express Machine-head’ (final title: ‘I’m With You’)

Easily the most jaw-dropping working title on our list, Red Hot Chili Peppers took inspiration for the 'Dr Johnny Skinz's Disproportionately Rambunctious Polar Express Machine-head' album moniker from an acid trip one of Anthony Kiedis' friends had. Kiedis told Spin: "(My friend) was reminiscing about one of his legendary acid trips and told us that he had been playing a sold-out show to the planets and moons, and his Number One hit was, well, that title." Red Hot Chili Peppers sadly ditched the title and called their 2011 album 'I'm With You.' Boo!

Pixies – ‘Whore’ (final title: ‘Doolittle’)

In keeping with many of the biblical themes embraced on Pixies' second studio album, Black Francis initially called it 'Whore' in reference to the Whore of Babylon. The song 'Hey' also features the lyrics "Must be a devil between us / Or whores in my head / Whores at the door / Whore in my bed." In the end, Pixies called their 1989 album 'Doolittle.'

Pink Floyd – ‘Eclipse’ (final title: ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’)

Pink Floyd had always wanted to call their 1973 magnum opus 'The Dark Side of the Moon', however they were forced into a rethink when they discovered that blues rock band Medicine Head had called their third album 'Dark Side of the Moon' a year earlier. The title was temporarily change to 'Eclipse'; however Pink Floyd ditched the title once they discovered that Medicine Head's album was a commercial flop. Pink Floyd's 'The Dark Side of the Moon' went on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time.

Green Day – ‘Liquid Dookie’ (final title: ‘Dookie’)

Inspired by their poor diets on tour that led them to get bouts of diarrhoea, pop punk stalwarts Green Day initially wanted to call their third studio album 'Liquid Dookie.' "We had a faecal fascination in those years," admitted drummer Tré Cool. The title was deemed "too gross" by their label Reprise and trio settled on a shortened 'Dookie' for their 1993 tour-de-force.

KISS – ‘Who Dares Wins’ (final title: ‘Crazy Nights’)

Late drummer Eric Carr came up with the idea to call KISS's 14th album 'Who Dares Wins' after seeing the slogan on a piece of clothing. "During a photo session, our wardrobe girl had this commando patch lying around with 'Who Dares Wins' on it, and I said, 'Hey, what a great idea for an album title!'," Carr said. "Then she brought it over to Paul (Stanley) who said the same thing. We ended up not using it because it didn't look good in print, and it sounded as if no one would understand it." Despite KISS ditching the title for 'Crazy Nights', 'Who Dares Wins' featured in some Japanese advertisements for the record.

Fleetwood Mac – ‘Yesterday’s Gone’ (final title: ‘Rumours’)

While recording their 11th studio album at the Record Plant in Sausalito, California back in 1976, Fleetwood Mac gave it the title 'Yesterday's Gone' from the lyrics to their future single 'Don't Stop.' John McVie came up with the final 'Rumours' title as he felt the respective Fleetwood Mac band members were writing "journals and diaries" about each other through the music.

U2 – ‘The Two Americas’ (final title: ‘The Joshua Tree’)

With many of the lyrics contrasting antipathy towards the politics of the United States with the band's deep fascination with the vast country, U2 frontman and lyricist Bono initially wanted to call the band's fifth album 'The Two Americas'. He said, "I started to see two Americas, the mythic America and the real America." Another working title was 'The Desert Songs', however it was changed to 'The Joshua Tree' when U2 decamped to the Mojave Desert with photographer Anton Corbijn to shoot some images for the sleeve. Corbijn suggested the title and Bono was suitably impressed when he read up about Joshua trees' (Yucca brevifolia) links to Mormon legend.

The Clash – ‘Last Testament’ (final title: ‘London Calling’)

According to Billboard, The Clash were going to call their third album 'Last Testament' in keeping with the notion that the double LP would close a chapter in music history that had begun with Elvis Presley's RCA debut in 1956. Although the working title was ditched in favour of 'London Calling', The Clash directly parodied the design for the 'Elvis Presley' sleeve on their album cover. Instead of Elvis it featured the iconic Pennie Smith photograph of bassist Paul Simonon smashing his Fender Precision Bass on stage in New York in September 1979.

David Bowie – ‘New Music: Night and Day’ (final title: ‘Low’)

David Bowie called his experimental 11th studio album 'New Music: Night And Day' and it still had the title when Bowie's schoolfriend George Underwood commenced work on the album artwork. Bowie changed the title to 'Low' at the eleventh hour and the album was already mentioned in various forthcoming release lists for January 1977 as 'New Music: Night And Day.' The labels on some international cassette editions of 'Low' also featured the 'New Music: Night and Day' title on the cassette sticker but the final title on the sleeve.

Led Zeppelin – ‘Thanksgiving’ (final title: ‘Presence’)

Led Zeppelin completed work on their seventh album on 26th November 1975, the day before Thanksgiving, leading Robert Plant to suggest naming it after the American holiday. The idea was quickly abandoned. Designer Aubrey Powell suggest the title 'Obelisk' in reference to the mysterious black object on the record sleeve, however the band opted for 'Presence' instead. Jimmy Page explains: "The record-jacket designer said 'When I think of the group, I always think of power and force. There's a definite presence there.' That was it. He wanted to call it 'Obelisk'. To me, it was more important what was behind the obelisk."

The Who – ‘Deaf, Dumb and Blind Boy’ (final title ‘Tommy’)

In keeping with the story of Tommy Walker, The Who wanted to call their upcoming rock opera album 'Deaf, Dumb and Blind Boy'. Pete Townshend said in 1968: "The package I hope is going to be called 'Deaf, Dumb and Blind Boy' is a story about a kid that's born deaf, dumb and blind and what happens to him throughout his life ... But what it's really all about is the fact that ... he's seeing things basically as vibrations which we translate as music." When the album was released in 1969, they settled on Tommy Walker's first name 'Tommy' for its title.

Queen – ‘The Invisible Men’ (final title: ‘The Miracle’)

Queen's 13th studio album was all set to be called 'The Invisible Men' after the song 'The Invisible Man', however drummer Roger Taylor says that just three weeks prior to release they changed it to 'The Miracle.'

Bon Jovi - ‘Sons of Beaches’ (final title: ‘New Jersey’)

After achieving global success with their blockbuster third album 'Slippery When Wet', Bon Jovi commenced work on the follow-up in early 1988 under the working title of 'Sons of Beaches'. It's lifted from the lines " I can see those sons of beaches / With the surf and the sand and they're living it up" from penultimate album song '99 in the Shade.' It was eventually ditched in favour of 'New Jersey' in homage to Bon Jovi's home state.

Nirvana – ‘I Hate Myself And I Want To Die’ (final title: ‘In Utero’)

Now reluctant global rock icons thanks to the surprise success of 'Nevermind', Kurt Cobain wanted to call Nirvana's third album 'I Hate Myself And I Want To Die.' The title was based on Cobain's standard reply whenever someone asked him how he was doing and was intended as a joke. Bassist Krist Novoselic talked Cobain out of the idea and Nirvana adopted a new title 'Verse Chorus Verse' before settling on 'In Utero', which was lifted from a line in one of Courtney Love's poems.

Sex Pistols – ‘God Save the Sex Pistols’ (final title: ‘Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols’)

Sex Pistols were originally going to give their only studio album the relatively tame title of 'God Save the Sex Pistols'; a play on the title of their anti-monarchy anthem 'God Save the Sex Pistols.' At Steve Jones' suggestion, album name was changed to the more anarchic 'Never Mind the Bollocks…' after Jones heard two fans using the phrase. John Lydon said it was a working classic expression meaning to "stop talking rubbish."

The Rolling Stones - ‘Automatic Changer’ (final title: ‘Let It Bleed’)

The artwork to The Rolling Stones' eighth studio album, which depicts a surreal sculpture of a phonograph designed by Robert Brownjohn and a cake made my Delia Smith, was inspired by the working title 'Automatic Changer'. The 'Let It Bleed' title reportedly came from when Keith Richards' fingers were bleeding while recording the album. Refusing to stop playing his guitar, Keith apparently said "let it bleed."

David Bowie – ‘Shilling the Rubes’ (final title: ‘Young Americans’)

Seemingly unable to choose a suitable name for his ninth studio album, David Bowie gave it a number of working titles including 'Dancin', 'Somebody Up There Likes Me', 'One Damned Song', 'The Gouster', 'Fascination' and the somewhat bizarre 'Shilling the Rubes.' He eventually called it 'Young Americans' in keeping with his blue-eyed soul anthem of the same name, which opened the record.

Nirvana – ‘Sheep’ (final title: ‘Nevermind’)

Kurt Cobain initially called Nirvana's second album 'Sheep' in an apparent dig at the flocks of people who might buy the record. He even poked fun at the title in his journal, writing: "Because you want to not; because everyone else is." They eventually settle on the deliberately misspelt title 'Nevermind' as it was a metaphor for Cobain's attitude on life.

Listen to Planet Rock on DAB nationwide, on our free app, online, via your smart speaker (“Play Planet Rock”) and on Freesat.

• Popular artists in London
• Trending artists worldwide

• Tourbox for artists

Search for events or artists

• Sign up Log in

• Get the app
• London concerts
• Change location
• Popular Artists
• Live streams
• Deutsch Português
• Concerts near you
• Popular artists

Upcoming concerts for Rival Sons

• Sunday June 09, 2024 Rival Sons O2 Academy Oxford, Oxford
• Monday June 10, 2024 Rival Sons Roadmender, Northampton
• Thursday July 11, 2024 ZZ Top, Rival Sons, and Those Damn Crows OVO Arena, London

Friday 13 October 2023

Discover more in London

Chalk Farm Road NW1 8EH London, UK 0844 482 8008 www.roundhouse.org.uk/

Similar artists with upcoming concerts

Additional details.

Doors open: 19:00

Concert in your area for Rock and Folk & Blues .

Find out more about Rock .

Share this concert

Posters (1).

44 people were there

Related upcoming events

• Saturday June 08, 2024 The Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer The O2, London
• Wednesday June 19, 2024 Royal Blood O2 Academy Brixton, London
• Saturday September 14, 2024 Blackberry Smoke Eventim Apollo, London
• Sunday September 15, 2024 Earl Sweatshirt, Alchemist, Nils Frahm, and Rapsody Jazz Cafe 2024, London
• Saturday October 05, 2024 Kevin Garrett Lafayette, London

• Most popular charts
• API information
• Brand guidelines
• Community guidelines
• Terms of use
• Privacy policy
• Cookies settings
• Cookies policy

Get your tour dates seen everywhere.

• But we really hope you love us.

• Login/Register

Follow Live Nation

Follow Live Nation for News, Presales and Exclusive Deals!

Track your favourite artists, access presale tickets, and never miss a show!

More Live Nation Events

Bluey's Big Play

Bruce Dickinson

Centenary Square Summer Series

Craig David

Crowded House

Enter your email below to be the first to hear about new releases, upcoming events, and more from Dig!

Yes, I want to receive marketing messages with the latest news, events and releases from Dig!. I understand that these emails are based on my information, interests, website activities and device data that is handled in accordance with the Privacy Policy . I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing [email protected] .

By submitting my information, I agree to receive personalized updates and marketing messages about WMX based on my information, interests, activities, website visits and device data and in accordance with the Privacy Policy . I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing [email protected] .

Rival Sons Add UK Headline Dates To European Summer Festival Shows

Rival Sons will return to England this summer for two headline shows in addition to their extensive summer run of festivals and their ZZ Top Wembley support. Rival Sons will play the following shows:

SUNDAY June 9th 2024: Oxford O2 Academy, UK MONDAY June 10th 2024: Northampton Roadmender, UK

Guitarist Scott Holiday (a.k.a. Mr. Fuzzlord) states: “We always try to get back to the U.K. whenever we can. Being the place that we first broke out of, it’s very close to our hearts…so we’re pleased to be able to squeeze two U.K. headline shows in this year! We’ll be playing songs from across our catalogue, including last year’s two releases Lightbringer and Darkfighter. We may even throw a couple extra from Head Down as we’re celebrating its 10th anniversary! Looking very forward to celebrating with you all! Get your tickets, these two shows will probably sell out quick!”

Rival Sons will then return to the U.K. in July. “We couldn’t possibly be more honoured to support ZZ Top at Wembley in July!” Scott continues “I grew up with ZZ Top as a staple in my home …and cut my teeth on those records as a young budding guitar player. Gibbons is on my short list of greatest! We’re gonna have fun with it!”

Last year (2023) the Double Grammy-nominated band released two albums Darkfighter and Lightbringer [Low Country Sound/Atlantic Records]. These two records built on Rival Sons legacy of stellar song writing that has always put them ahead of the curve.

“ Darkfighter is a new Rival Sons, and Lightbringer is the clear definition of what we are now,” states Jay Buchanan, Rival Sons frontman. “We broke ground on Darkfighter , but Lightbringer is a step beyond the personal innovation and exploration. It goes a little further. We really took everything into our own hands and pushed to see how far we could go. It was a self-exploration to see who we were and who we’ll be now. We had more friction and compromise than ever, because we isolated the bare essence of where we needed to go—and then we went there.”

Catch Rival Sons this summer on the following dates:

Weds 5th June: SWEDEN, Solvesborg, Sweden Rock Festival Thurs 6th June: NORWAY, Trondheim, Trondheim Rocks Sun 9th June: UK, Oxford O2 Academy Mon 10th June: UK, Northampton Roadmender Thurs 13th June: SPAIN, Madrid, La Riviera Fri 14th June: SPAIN, Burgos, Anden 56 Sat 15th June: PORTUGAL, Lisbon Rock in Rio Mon 17th June: SPAIN, Barcelona, Sala Apollo Tues 18th June: FRANCE, Clermont-Ferrand, Co-Operative de Mai Weds 19th June: GERMANY, Hannover, Capital Fri 21st June: DENMARK, Copenhagen, Copenhell Festival Sun 23rd June: BELGIUM, Dessel, Graspop Weds 26th June LUXEMBOURG, Den Atelier Thurs 27th June FRANCE, Strasbourg, La Laiterie Fri 28th June SWITZERLAND, Pratteln, Konzerfabrik Z7 Sun 30th June FRANCE, Clisson, Hellfest Mon 1st July SWITZERLAND, Rubigen, Muhle Hunziken Thurs 4th July FRANCE, Rouen, Le 106 Fri 5th July FRANCE, Cognac, Cognac Blues Passion Sun 7th July ITALY, Ferrara, Ferrara Comfort Festival Mon 8th July ITALY, Pordenone, Pordenone Blues Festival Tues 9th July GERMANY, Lindau, Club Vaudeville Thurs 11th July UK, London, Wembley Arena (special guests to ZZ Top) Sat 13th July FRANCE, Carhaix-Plouger, Vieilles Charrues Sun 14th July NETHERLANDS, Weert, Bospop Tues 16th July, NETHERLANDS, Hengelo, Metropool Weds 17th July, GERMANY, Bonn, Kustrasen Fri 19th July, FRANCE, Saint-Julien-en-Genevois, Guitare En Seine (w/ Larkin Poe) Sat 20th July, GERMANY, Winterbach, Zeltspektakel (w/ Larkin Poe)

Buy Lightbringer here .

Be the first to know.

Stay up-to-date with the latest music news, new releases, special offers and other discounts!

Yes, I want to receive marketing messages with the latest news, events and releases from Dig!. I understand that these messages are based on my information, interests, website activities and device data that is handled in accordance with the Privacy Policy . I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing [email protected] .

Sign up to our newsletter

Be the first to hear about new releases, upcoming events, and more from Dig!

• Sign Up For Updates
• Feral Roots
• Available Now

The Moshville Times

Supporting the grassroots to the stadium-fillers in the world of rock and metal!

Rival Sons announce UK/EU tour

Share this:

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)

Rival Sons have announced their long-awaited return to the UK & EUROPE this autumn taking their two forthcoming new albums, Darkfighter and Lightbringer on the road, across Europe for a 30-date run.  Darkfighter , is set to arrive worldwide June 2nd 2023 and is available for pre-order / pre-save now on your platform of choice .

Scott Holiday (guitarist) comments:

Dear friends on the other side of the pond, Darkfighter is coming for you! And Lightbringer is coming for you too! We’re finally able to come back to you and bring you new music! Music that has been firmly situated in our hearts. Nothing makes me happier than to think about experiencing these albums together and making them into something entirely new and different every night. Let’s make something symbiotic, alive, that we’ll want to remember forever!

The tour dates will go on public sale here on Friday 14th April and will be accompanied by Meet & Greets where possible (available through the Rival Sons app)  with pre-sale available Thursday 13th April.

If you like what we do, consider joining us on Patreon for as little as £1 per month!

Rival Sons Darkfighter/Lightbringer UK/EU TOUR:

• October 13, 2023 – London Roundhouse, UK
• October 14, 2023 – NX – Newcastle, UK
• October 16, 2023 – Glasgow, Barrowland Ballroom, UK
• October 17, 2023 – O2 Academy – Birmingham, UK
• October 18, 2023 – Manchester Academy – Manchester, UK
• October 20, 2023 – Cambridge Corn Exchange – Cambridge, UK
• October 21, 2023 – O2 Academy – Bristol, UK
• October 22, 2023 – O2 Guildhall – Southampton, UK
• October 24, 2023 – La Carrière – Nantes, France
• October 25, 2023 – Le Radiant – Lyon, France
• October 27, 2023 – L’Olympia – Paris, France
• October 28, 2023 – Les Docks – Lausanne, Switzerland
• October 29, 2023 – Alcatraz – Milan, Italy
• October 31, 2023 – Gasometer – Vienna, Austria
• November 1, 2023 – X-TRA – Zurich, Switzerland
• November 2, 2023 – Theaterfabrik – Munich, Germany
• November 4, 2023 – Lucerna Music Bar – Prague, Czech Republic
• November 5, 2023 – Klub Stodola – Warsaw, Poland
• November 6, 2023 – Music Club B17 – Poznan, Poland
• November 8, 2023 – Huxleys – Berlin, Germany
• November 9, 2023 – Melkweg Max – Amsterdam, Netherlands
• November 10, 2023 – Kantine – Cologne, Germany
• November 12, 2023 – Ancienne Belgique – Brussels, Belgium
• November 13, 2023 – Grosse Freiheit 36 – Hamburg, Germany
• November 14, 2023 – The Grey Hall – Copenhagen, Denmark
• November 16, 2023 – Forum Scene – Bergen, Norway
• November 17, 2023 – Sentrum Scene – Oslo, Norway
• November 18, 2023 – B-K – Stockholm, Sweden
• November 20, 2023 – House of Culture – Helsinki, Finland
• November 21, 2023 – Tampere Hall – Tampere, Finland

Last week, Rival Sons released the third visual instalment in their narrative series of videos that have accompanied new music from the forthcoming Darkfighter album. The series tells the story of a double-cross and a heist gone wrong and stars the band themselves as a gang of crooks. It’s a caper that results in explosive consequences. Jay Buchanan as Preacher throws dynamite verse in the “Nobody Wants To Die” video, the first single from Darkfighter , from their own vintage cars; (Scott’s own 1956 Pontiac Chieftain and Jay’s 1982 Mercedes 300SD) while stunt-driving across the California dessert. In the latest video for new hit single “Bird In The Hand” the explosive consequences are contextualised with the video adding another vignette to the trilogy. With a large dose of humour and a devil-may-care attitude, “Bird In The Hand”, directed by Kurt Kubicek, and written by Jay Buchanan and Scott Holiday, is a prequel for the deadly single, “Nobody Wants To Die” (dir. Eli Sokhn) and “Rapture” (dir. Kurt Kubicek), both streaming now at the official Rival Sons YouTube channel.

Jay Buchanan comments:

It’s been a great time writing and producing these videos along with great directors and crew. With video production we’re really at that sweet spot where we don’t know the rules so we’re not afraid of breaking them. We’ll see where it goes from here.

Darkfighter (out June 2nd) will be accompanied by companion volume, Lightbringer, arriving later this year. Both produced by long-time collaborator and 8x GRAMMY® Award-winner Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell). The two new LPs marks the first new music from Rival Sons in more than four years, following 2019’s critically acclaimed, GRAMMY® Award-nominated sixth studio album, Feral Roots .

Don’t fancy Patreon? Buy us a one-off beverage!

Discussing the albums, Buchanan comments:

In comparison to our previous records, we certainly took our time both writing and recording this collection. When we set out, the intention was mostly to dig as deep as possible. Even in the beginning before the body had formed, we agreed to throw the map away and chop our way through the woods to make a new path. Then lockdown hit and it felt like the whole damn country decided to throw the map away too. For myself, 2022 was like an eight-stage rocket of life changing events, so every time I thought I was finished writing, a new bull would come tearing through the clothesline and I’d have to illustrate it in some way. By the end, there were really two different sides to the same story being told. On one side, you’re fighting the darkness and, on the other, you’re bringing your own light to where there is none. One side in a corner, on the ropes, and the other advancing, cleaning the ring. Without an intermission, a refractory period, the collection would be too big a bite, so splitting it in two was the only way to do it.

Header image by Pamela Littky

Rival Sons:   official  |  facebook  |  twitter  | instagram |  youtube

Published by Ross

Described as a gig junkie, can be seen at anything from the Quireboys to Black Label Society and everything in between. View all posts by Ross

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Formed in 2009, Nashville/LA quartet Rival Sons play a brand of soulful hard rock dripping with the blues and swaggering to a good-time groove more...

Fans who like Rival Sons also like

Blackberry Smoke

The Dead Daisies

The Cadillac Three

Greta Van Fleet

Blues Pills

Black Stone Cherry

The Black Crowes

Rival Sons announce Darkfighter UK and European tour

Rival Sons will play 30 shows across The UK and Europe in support of this year's Darkfighter and Lightbringer albums

Rival Sons have announced a 30-date run of European shows. The UK leg of the Darkfighter tour will kick off at the The Roundhouse in London on October 13 and climax at the Southampton Guildhall on October 22, before the band embark on the European leg two days later at La Carrière in Nantes, France. Full dates below.

"Dear friends on the other side of the pond," advises guitarist Scott Holiday . " Darkfighter is coming for you! And Lightbringer is coming for you too!"

Holiday is referring to new Rival Sons album Darkfighter, due for release on June 2 – it was originally slated for March 10 – and a second album,  Lightbringer , which will arrive later in the year. The band's last album was 2019's Feral Roots . 

"We’re finally able to come back to you and bring you new music!" confirms Holiday. "Music that has been firmly situated in our hearts. Nothing makes me happier than to think about experiencing these albums together and making them into something entirely new and different every night. Let’s make something symbiotic, alive, that we’ll want to remember forever!” 

Tickets go on sale from the Rival Sons website from April 14. The band have released three tracks from Darkfighter so far: Nobody Wants To Die emerged in October, Rapture arrived in January, and Bird In The Hand was released last month. Last week, the band also launched a video for Bird In The Hand .    

Rival Sons have recently finished a short run of North American dates supporting Greta Van Fleet , and will embark on the US leg of the Darkfighter tour at the Diamond Ballroom in Oklahoma City, OK, on May 11. Full dates below.  

Rival Sons Darkfighter 2023 Tour

May 11: Oklahoma City Diamond Ballroom, OK*# May 12: Little Rock The Hall, AR*# May 13: Austin Stubb’s, TX*# May 16: Chattanooga The Signal, TN*# May 17: Atlanta Tabernacle, GA*# May 18: Nashville Marathon Music Works, TN*# May 20: Daytona Beach Welcome To Rockville, FL+ May 21: Wilmington Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, NC*# May 23: Richmond The National, VA*# May 24: Norfolk The NorVa, VA*# May 26: Morgantown Ruby Amphitheater, WV* May 27: Columbus Sonic Temple, OH+ May 28: Buffalo Town Ballroom, NY* May 30: Silver Spring The Fillmore, MD*# May 31: Worcester The Palladium, MA*# Jun 01: New York Palladium Times Square, NY Jun 03: Philadelphia Franklin Music Hall, PA*# Jun 04: Albany Empire Live, NY*# Jun 06: London London Music Hall, ON*# Jun 08: Detroit The Fillmore, MI^# Jun 09: Chicago Radius, IL^# Jun 10: Minneapolis The Fillmore, MN^# Jun 12: Milwaukee The Rave, WI^# Jun 13: Cedar Rapids Club 5, IA^# Jun 14: St. Louis Pageant, MO^# Jun 16: Omaha The Admiral, NE^# Jun 17: Kansas City Uptown Theater, MO^#

Classic Rock Newsletter

Sign up below to get the latest from Classic Rock, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox!

Oct 13: London The Roundhouse, UK Oct 14, Newcastle NX, UK Oct 16: Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom, UK Oct 17: Birmingham O2 Academy, UK Oct 18: Manchester Academy, UK Oct 20: Cambridge Corn Exchange, UK Oct 21: Bristol O2 Academy, UK Oct 22: Southampton O2 Guildhall, UK Oct 24: Nantes La Carrière, France Oct 25: Lyon Le Radiant, France Oct 27: Paris Olympia, France Oct 28: Lausanne Les Docks, Switzerland Oct 29: Milan Alcatraz, Italy Oct 31: Vienna Gasometer, Austria Nov 01: Zurich X-Tra, Switzerland Nov 02: Munich Theaterfabrik, Germany Nov 04: Prague Lucerna Music Bar, Czech Republic Nov 05: Warsaw Klub Stodola, Poland Nov 06: Poznan Music Club B17, Poland Nov 08: Berlin Huxley's, Germany Nov 09: Amsterdam Melkweg Max, Netherlands Nov 10: Cologne Kantine, Germany Nov 12: Brussels Ancienne Belgique, Belgium Nov 13: Hamburg Grosse Freiheit 36, Germany Nov 14: Copenhagen The Grey Hall, Denmark Nov 16: Bergen Forum Scene, Norway Nov 17: Oslo Sentrum Scene, Norway Nov 18: Stockholm B-K, Sweden Nov 20: Helsinki House Of Culture, Finland Nov 21: Tampere Hall, Finland

*with The Record Company ^with Black Angels #with Starcrawler +festival show

Online Editor at Louder/Classic Rock magazine since 2014. 38 years in music industry, online for 25. Also bylines for: Metal Hammer, Prog Magazine, The Word Magazine, The Guardian, The New Statesman, Saga, Music365. Former Head of Music at Xfm Radio, A&R at Fiction Records, early blogger, ex-roadie, published author. Once appeared in a Cure video dressed as a cowboy, and thinks any situation can be improved by the introduction of cats. Favourite Serbian trumpeter: Dejan Petrović.  

“If you wanna be disgusting, do it outside!” Bruce Dickinson blasts fan for allegedly using pepper spray during Brazil concert

"I didn't do a thing in the music industry until I was twenty-nine": Billy Morrison is a success story 30 years in the making

Eddie Van Halen was a Meshuggah fan, according to son Wolfgang: “He said, ‘The drummer better be paid the most!’”

Most Popular

   Natalie Shay reveals her inner-fangirl in R...

   l.a. edwards release new single “gone4u” from ...,    70000tons of metal 2025: first bands announced...,    knotfest announces 2024 lineup: slipknot, till...,    gig review : the cruel knives – uk april tour ...,    boxset review : uk subs the albums 1979 –...,    german stadium rockers kissin’ dynamite unleas..., jquery(document).ready( function($) { var retina = window.devicepixelratio > 1 true : false; if ( retina ) { jquery( '.site--logo img' ).attr( 'src', 'https://metalplanetmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/metalplanetmusicbanner-2020.png' ); jquery( '.site--logo img' ).attr( 'width', '1000' ); } } );, rival sons announce uk/eu darkfighter tour.

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Google+
• Share on Reddit
• Share on Pinterest
• Share on Linkedin
• Share on Tumblr

Rival Sons have announced their long-awaited return to the UK & EUROPE this autumn taking their two forthcoming new albums,  DARKFIGHTER  and  LIGHTBRINGER  on the road, across Europe for a 30-date run.

DARKFIGHTER,  is set to arrive worldwide June 2 nd  2023 and is available for  pre-order / pre-save  now [album art / track-listing below].

The 2x GRAMMY® Award-nominated band, known for their electrifying, well-honed live shows, will be kicking the tour off in Camden, London at the Roundhouse on Friday 13 th  October, just across the road from where they played their first ever European show, 12 years ago. The tour then runs through the UK, including a date at the infamous Barrowlands in Glasgow, then continuing with multiple dates in France, Germany, Poland, and Scandinavia.

Scott Holiday (guitarist) comments: “Dear friends on the other side of the pond, DARKFIGHTER is coming for you! AND LIGHTBRINGER is coming for you too!

We’re finally able to come back to you and bring you NEW music! Music that has been firmly situated in our hearts. Nothing makes me happier than to think about experiencing these albums together and making them into something entirely new and different every night. Let’s make something symbiotic, alive, that we’ll want to remember forever!”

The tour dates will go on public sale  here  on Friday 14 th  April and will be accompanied by Meet & Greets where possible (available through the Rival Sons app  https://www.rivalsonsapp.com/  ) With pre-sale available Thursday 13 th  April.

Full UK/ European tour dates below.

Bird In The Hand

Last week, Rival Sons released the third visual instalment in their narrative series of videos that have accompanied new music from the forthcoming  DARKFIGHTER  album. The series tells the story of a double-cross and a heist gone wrong and stars the band themselves as a gang of crooks. It’s a caper that results in explosive consequences.

Jay Buchanan as Preacher throws dynamite verse in the  Nobody Wants To Die  video, the first single from  DARKFIGHTER , from their own vintage cars; (Scott’s own 1956 Pontiac Chieftain and Jay’s 1982 Mercedes 300SD) while stunt-driving across the California dessert. In the latest video for new hit single  Bird In The Hand  the explosive consequences are contextualised with the video adding another vignette to the trilogy.

With a large dose of humour and a devil-may-care attitude  Bird In The Hand , directed by Kurt Kubicek, and written by Jay Buchanan and Scott Holiday, is a prequel for the deadly single,  “ Nobody Wants To Die “  (dir. Eli Sokhn) and  “ Rapture “  (dir. Kurt Kubicek), both streaming now at the official Rival Sons YouTube channel  HERE .

Jay Buchanan comments: “ It’s been a great time writing and producing these videos along with great directors and crew. With video production we’re really at that sweet spot where we don’t know the rules so we’re not afraid of breaking them. We’ll see where it goes from here.”

“Nobody Wants To Die”  was hailed by  Rolling Stone  as “ hard-charging, ” adding “ The video has Kill Bill grindhouse vibes for days and is a literal blast. ” “ It would be cliché to say it’s been worth the wait, ” wrote  Guitar World , “ but the phrase applies: ‘Nobody Wants to Die’ has enough high-gain riffage and classic rock fretboard throwdowns to more than make up for Rival Sons’ absence. “

Rival Sons and The Smashing Pumpkins

Rival Sons forthcoming new album  DARKFIGHTER  will be released June 2 nd  via Elektra/Low Country Sound (Parlophone in UK/Warner across Europe). Rival Sons will mark the arrival of  DARKFIGHTER  with a truly epic live schedule, embarking on their own extensive North American headline run,  “The DARKFIGHTER Tour,”  beginning May 11 at Oklahoma City, OK’s Diamond Ballroom and then traveling through mid-June. Special guests throughout include The Black Angels and The Record Company, with Starcrawler also appearing on select dates.

The band will then play a special guest run on Smashing Pumpkins’ “The World Is a Vampire” Summer 2023 North American Tour, also featuring Stone Temple Pilots and Interpol, getting underway August 1 at Salt Lake City, UT’s USANA Amphitheatre and then continuing through early September. Tickets for all announced dates are on sale now. For compete details and ticket information, please visit  www.rivalsons.com .

DARKFIGHTER and LIGHTBRINGER

DARKFIGHTER  (out June 2 nd ) will be accompanied by companion volume,  LIGHTBRINGER,  arriving later this year. Both produced by long-time collaborator and 8x GRAMMY® Award-winner Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell). The two new LPs marks the first new music from Rival Sons in more than four years, following 2019’s critically acclaimed, GRAMMY® Award-nominated sixth studio album,  FERAL ROOTS .

“ In comparison to our previous records, we certainly took our time both writing and recording this collection, ” says Rival Sons vocalist Jay Buchanan. “ When we set out, the intention was mostly to dig as deep as possible. Even in the beginning before the body had formed, we agreed to throw the map away and chop our way through the woods to make a new path.

Then lockdown hit and it felt like the whole damn country decided to throw the map away too. For myself, 2022 was like an eight-stage rocket of life changing events, so every time I thought I was finished writing, a new bull would come tearing through the clothesline and I’d have to illustrate it in some way.

By the end, there were really two different sides to the same story being told. On one side, you’re fighting the darkness and, on the other, you’re bringing your own light to where there is none. One side in a corner, on the ropes, and the other advancing, cleaning the ring. Without an intermission, a refractory period, the collection would be too big a bite, so splitting it in two was the only way to do it.

Rival Sons play rock ‘n’ roll in its purest form without apology or pretence. Instead, they simply plug in, turn up, and rip on a path of their own. Along the way, they’ve architected a critically acclaimed catalogue, including  PRESSURE & TIME  (2011),  HEAD DOWN  (2012),  GREAT WESTERN VALKYRIE  (2014),  HOLLOW BONES  (2016), and  FERAL ROOTS  (2019).

Highlighted by the chart-topping lead single, “Do Your Worst,” the latter album stands tall as a creative and critical high watermark for Rival Sons, scoring a GRAMMY® Award nomination for “Best Rock Album,” with the standout track, “Too Bad” receiving a nod in the “Best Rock Performance” category. In addition, the album’s lead single, “Do Your Worst,” proved the band’s biggest hit to date, ascending to #1 at Rock radio outlets nationwide while tallying north of 60M streams and counting.

Hailed as an electrifying, well-honed live act, Rival Sons have played countless headline shows, shared stages with everyone from Black Sabbath, The Rolling Stones, and AC/DC to Guns N’ Roses and Lenny Kravitz and made high-profile late-night TV appearances including CBS’  The Late Late Show with James Corden . In 2021, the band launched their own label, Sacred Tongue Recordings distributed by Thirty Tigers.

That same year saw Rival Sons celebrate the 10 th  anniversary of 2011’s  PRESSURE AND TIME , by performing the landmark LP live in its entirety for the first time ever on the sold out “Pressure and Time Tour.” The band also presented a very special two-night livestream event,  Pair Of Aces , which saw them performing 2009’s debut album,  BEFORE THE FIRE , and 2010’s self-titled  RIVAL SONS  EP in their entirety live from the historic Catalina Casino on Santa Catalina Island off the coast of California.

Rival Sons is:  Jay Buchanan (vocals, harmonica, rhythm guitar), Scott Holiday (lead guitar), Mike Miley (drums), and Dave Beste (bass).

Mirrors Nobody Wants To Die Bird In The Hand Bright Light Rapture Guillotine Horses Breath Darkside

CONNECT WITH RIVAL SONS

OFFICIAL SITE  |  FACEBOOK  |  INSTAGRAM  |  TIKTOK  |  TWITTER  |  YOUTUBE

• Related Articles
• More By [email protected]
• More In News

Natalie Shay reveals her inner-fangirl in “All The Time”

L.A. Edwards release new single “Gone4U” from forthcoming album “Pie Town” and announce debut European headline tour

70000TONS OF METAL 2025: First Bands Announced 

Album Review: Pearl Jam – Dark Matter

Album Review: Blaze Of Perdition – Upharsin

Legendary UK metal giants Orange Goblin announce new album ‘Science, Not Fiction’ 

Where to begin? How about straight up facts, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, over 85…

Rival Sons Announce ‘DARKFIGHTER’ & ‘LIGHTBRINGER’ Album Tour Plans

Rival Sons have announced details of their long-awaited ‘DARKFIGHTER’ & ‘LIGHTBRINGER’. Get all the dates for the European/UK tour here…

Rival Sons have announced their long-awaited return to the UK and Europe this Autumn taking their two forthcoming new albums, DARKFIGHTER and LIGHTBRINGER on the road, across Europe for a 30-date run.

The DARKFIGHTER , is set to arrive worldwide June 2nd, 2023 and is available for pre-order / pre-save now [album art / track-listing below].

The 2x GRAMMY® Award-nominated band will be kicking the tour off in Camden, London at the Roundhouse on Friday 13th October, just across the road from where they played their first ever European show, 12 years ago. The tour then runs through the UK, including a date at the infamous Barrowlands in Glasgow, then continuing with multiple dates in France, Germany, Poland, and Scandinavia.

Rival Sons “DARKFIGHTER” Album Artwork

Scott Holiday (guitarist) comments: “Dear friends on the other side of the pond, DARKFIGHTER is coming for you! And LIGHTBRINGER is coming for you too!

We’re finally able to come back to you and bring you NEW music! Music that has been firmly situated in our hearts. Nothing makes me happier than to think about experiencing these albums together and making them into something entirely new and different every night. Let’s make something symbiotic, alive, that we’ll want to remember forever!”

The tour dates will go on public sale here on Friday 14th April and will be accompanied by Meet & Greets where possible (available through the Rival Sons app ), with pre-sale available Thursday 13th April.

Rival Sons 2023 Tour Artwork

The Dust Coda Announce UK Headline Tour In Support of ‘Loco Paradise’ Album

Oakland Producer & Performing Artist noaccordion Delivers New Single “Welcome Diversity”

I have an unhealthy obsession with bad horror movies, the song Wanted Dead Or Alive and crap British game shows. I do this not because of the sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll lifestyle it affords me but more because it gives me an excuse to listen to bands that sound like hippos mating.

You may like

Caitlin Krisko and The Broadcast Announce 2024 UK Tour

Kira Mac Kicks Off 2024 UK Tour

Vallory Falls Drops Baggage on New Single “Want Me Dead”

Knocked Loose Release Next Level New Single, “Suffocate Feat. Poppy”

Avantgarde Pop Wizard Manu Louis Announces EU Spring Tour

Katherine Perkins Strikes the Right Tone with Her “Hold On” Music Video Premiere

Take That (w/ Olly Murs) Kick Off Four-Night Leeds Stint with Hit-Laden Spectacular [Photos]

The V13 Fix #011 w/ Microwave, Full Of Hell, Cold Years and more

The V13 Fix #010 w/ High on Fire, NOFX, My Dying Bride and more

PinkPantheress Packs Out the Historic Brooklyn Paramount [Photos]

Eric Schroeder – ‘Turned on the Stereo’ [Album Review]

Tour Diary: Gen & The Degenerates Party Their Way Across America

Dan Carter & George Miller Chat Foodinati Live, Heavy Metal Charities and Pre-Gig Meals

Reclusive Producer Stumbleine Premieres Beat-Driven New Single “Cinderhaze”

Deadset Premiere Music Video for Addiction-Inspired “Heavy Eyes” Single

Rival Sons Verified

Concerts and tour dates, rival sons merch.

Live Photos of Rival Sons

Fan Reviews

Fans Also Follow

About rival sons.

All Upcoming Events

Sweden Rock Festival | Sölvesborg, SWEDEN

Sweden rock festival 2024.

Bryggeribyen - EC Dahls Arena | Trondheim, NORWAY

Trondheim rocks 2024.

O2 Academy Oxford | Oxford, UNITED KINGDOM

La coopérative de mai | clermont ferrand, france, capitol hannover | hannover, germany, la laiterie | strasbourg, france, le 106 | rouen, france, club vaudeville | lindau (bodensee), germany.

OVO Arena Wembley | London, UNITED KINGDOM

Zz top: the elevation tour.

Brooklyn Paramount | Brooklyn, NY

Clutch & rival sons - two-headed beast tour.

• Fast Lane Access - Clutch & Rival Sons - Not a Concert Ticket
• Coat Check - Clutch & Rival Sons - Not a Concert Ticket

Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Resort | Atlantic City, NJ

Clutch & rival sons: the two-headed beast tour, the anthem | washington, dc.

The Ritz | Raleigh, NC

Rival sons & clutch: the two headed beast tour.

• Parking Upgrades - Rival Sons & Clutch - Not A Concert Ticket
• Jupiter Lounge - Rival Sons & Clutch - Not A Concert Ticket
• Fast Lane Access - Rival Sons & Clutch - Not a Concert Ticket

OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino | Niagara Falls, ON

Rival sons & clutch: the two-headed beast tour.

• Accessibility Parking Rival Sons & Clutch

Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom | Hampton Beach, NH

Citizens house of blues boston | boston, ma.

• Foundation Room Access: CLUTCH & RIVAL SONS (NOT A CONCERT TICKET) 21+

Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill | Sterling Heights, MI

• Premium Parking Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre: Clutch & Rival Sons

Sweetwater Performance Pavilion | Fort Wayne, IN

The astro | la vista, ne, glc live at 20 monroe | grand rapids, mi.

• VIP Club Access - Clutch & Rival Sons - Not a Concert Ticket

Uptown Theater | Kansas City, MO

Bayou music center | houston, tx.

• 40 Below Club Access - Rival Sons & Clutch - Not a Concert Ticket
• Pre-Show Pass - Rival Sons & Clutch - Not a Concert Ticket

The Wiltern | Los Angeles, CA

• VIP Club Access - 5PM - Rival Sons & Clutch - Not a Concert Ticket
• Parking + Club Access - Rival Sons & Clutch - Not a Concert Ticket

Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas | Las Vegas, NV

Latest setlist, rival sons on november 21, 2023.

Darkfighter

Tampere-talo, Tampere, Finland

Popular Tracks

Clutch Announce Co-Headlining Tour With Rival Sons in 2024

by Em Casalena April 22, 2024, 11:12 am

It’s going to be an excellent fall season for hard rock fans! Hard rock/blues rock icons Clutch and Rival Sons are going to kick off an extensive co-headlining tour of the US and Canada in September and October of this year. 

Videos by American Songwriter

The tour will be a dual celebration of Clutch’s 2004 album Blast Tyrant and Rival Sons’ 2014 album Great Western Valkyrie for their 20th and 10th anniversaries, respectively. Plus, the bands will bring along Fu Manchu and Black Stone Cherry as supporting acts.

The Rival Sons and Clutch 2024 Tour will kick off on September 5 in Brooklyn, New York at Brooklyn Paramount with support from Fu Manchu. The tour will close on October 12 in Sacramento, California at Aftershock Festival.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Clutch (@clutchofficial)

There are no current presale events for this tour and it looks like tickets are available for public sale. Fans can get their tickets through Rival Sons’ website or Clutch’s website , as well as Ticketmaster .

If your tour date of choice has sold out before you’ve gotten a chance to buy tickets, try Stubhub . The platform usually has tickets for sold-out shows, and the FanProtect Program ensures that your ticket purchase is legit. It’s worth a shot!

Get your tickets to see this hard rock duo live in concert before tickets are totally gone!

Rival Sons and Clutch 2024 Tour Dates

September 5 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount (with Fu Manchu)

September 6 – Atlantic City, NJ – Ocean Casino Resort (with Fu Manchu)

September 7 – Washington, DC – The Anthem (with Fu Manchu)

September 8 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz (with Fu Manchu)

September 10 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE (with Fu Manchu)

September 12 – Niagara Falls, ON – OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino (with Fu Manchu)

September 13 – New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall (with Fu Manchu)

September 14 – Bushkill, PA – Berzerkus Festival (with Black Stone Cherry)

September 15 – Hampton Beach, NH – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom (with Fu Manchu)

September 17 – Boston, MA – House Of Blues (with Fu Manchu)

September 19 – Cleveland, OH – Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica (with Fu Manchu)

September 20 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill (with Fu Manchu)

September 22 – Fort Wayne, IN – Performance Pavilion at Sweetwater (with Fu Manchu)

September 24 – La Vista, NE – The Astro (with Fu Manchu)

September 26 – Grand Rapids, MI – GLC Live at 20 Monroe (with Fu Manchu)

September 28 – Green Bay, WI – EPIC Event Center (with Black Stone Cherry)

September 29 – Maplewood, MN – Myth Live (with Black Stone Cherry)

October 1 – Des Moines, IA – Val Air Ballroom (with Black Stone Cherry)

October 2 – Kansas City, MO – The Uptown Theater(with Black Stone Cherry)

October 4 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center (with Black Stone Cherry)

October 5 – Dallas, TX – The Factory in Deep Ellum(with Black Stone Cherry)

October 8 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern (with Black Stone Cherry)

October 9 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre (with Black Stone Cherry)

October 10 – Las Vegas, NV – Brooklyn Bowl (with Black Stone Cherry)

October 12 – Sacramento, CA – Aftershock Festival

Photo courtesy of Clutch’s official Facebook page

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Only members can comment. Become a member . Already a member? Log In .

Review: Sheryl Crow Makes a Striking Return with ‘Evolution’

© 2024 American Songwriter