In a change to their usual schedule, legendary Folk-Rockers Fairport Convention have announced dates for their all new Spring Tour, starting on 17th March 2026.
After a packed 2025, including two acclaimed tours and a sold-out Cropredy Convention, the group will reunite with esteemed drummer, Dave Mattacks for 24 dates throughout the UK – cueing up celebrations for Fairport Convention’s diamond anniversary in 2027, marking an incredible 60 years in the business.
Formed in 1967, the band pioneered the blending of traditional and electric instruments, in turn becoming synonymous with the ‘electric-folk’ sound. Their annual music festival attracts up to 15,000 people to the fields of Oxfordshire each August, and unlike many of their peers, they continue to sell out venues across the country – delighting both existing fans and new converts alike.
With a career now spanning 59 years, the chaps continue carrying on the Fairport torch, with the 2026 tour marking 30 years of the band’s current lineup – featuring Simon Nicol, Dave Pegg, Ric Sanders and Chris Leslie, augmented by Dave Mattacks on the drummer’s stool.
With their most well-known track Who Knows Where The Time Goes reaching over 32 million Spotify streams this year, Fairport are true statesmen of British music – cherished by critics, musicians and fans alike. The band have also won a BBC Lifetime Achievement Award and Radio 2 listeners voted their ground-breaking album Liege & Lief ‘The Most Influential Folk Album of All Time’ in 2006.
Proceedings commence on 17th March at The Stables in Milton Keynes – visiting the likes of Union Chapel in London and The Forum in Bath – before wrapping up on 12th April in Leamington Spa. This year’s lineup features Simon Nicol on guitar and vocals, Dave Pegg on bass guitar, Ric Sanders on violin, Chris Leslie on fiddle, mandolin and vocals, whilst Dave Mattacks returns on percussion duties.
Mattacks featured as Fairport Convention’s longstanding drummer throughout most of the 1970s, 80s and 90s. His skills have been in demand ever since, seeing him contribute to numerous studio recordings by the likes of Paul McCartney, Brian Eno, Elton John and Nick Drake.
FAIRPORT CONVENTION SPRING 2026
TOUR DATES
Tuesday 17th March, 8pm
The Stables, Milton Keynes
Wednesday 18th March, 7.30pm
The Apex, Bury St. Edmunds
Thursday 19th March, 7.30pm
Princess Theatre, Hunstanton
Friday 20th March, 7.30pm
New Century Hall, Manchester
Saturday 21st March, 7.30pm
Buxton Opera House, Buxton
Sunday 22nd March, 7.30pm
The Lamproom Theatre, Barnsley
Tuesday 24th March, 7.30pm
Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea
Wednesday 25th March, 7.30pm
The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury
Thursday 26th March, 7.30pm
Corn Exchange, Exeter
Friday 27th March, 7.30pm
The Forum, Bath
Saturday 28th March, 7.30pm
Union Chapel, London
Sunday 29th March, 7.30pm
Town Hall, Loughborough
Tuesday 31st March, 7.30pm
Turner Sims, Southampton
Wednesday 1st April, 7.30pm
The Haymarket, Basingstoke
Thursday 2nd April, 7.30pm
Colyer-Fergusson, Canterbury
Friday 3rd April, 7.30pm
The Old Market, Brighton
Saturday 4th April, 7.30pm
Chequer Mead Theatre, East Grinstead
Sunday 5th April, 7.30pm
Eric Morecambe Centre, Harpenden
Tuesday 7th April, 7.30pm
Harrogate Theatre, Harrogate
Wednesday 8th April, 7.30pm
The Fire Station, Sunderland
Thursday 9th April, 7.30pm
Queen’s Hall, Hexham
Friday 10th April, 7.30pm
Lowther Pavillion, Lytham
Saturday 11th April, 7.30pm
Town Hall, Kidderminster
Sunday 12th April, 7.30pm
Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa
