GIG NEWS: Stornoway at Royal Albert Hall (30th March 2026)

Would it be CMAT if I wasn't just sporadically jumping in to share news I'm excited about? 

Just over eight years ago, I was working on a Stornoway show at Oxford's New Theatre - the last date on their farewell tour. It was triumphant, emotional... they were bowing out on top, for sure - I wrote about it here. Thankfully, the split was short lived, and they're back and better than ever and I've had a brilliant couple of years following them around to some beautiful shows.

On noticing the anniversary of the gig, I messaged Oli, who told me that the band had some news coming, which they'd never have imagined would happen to them all those years ago. I'd just seen Bear's Den at Royal Albert Hall, had a little gush about that and got to thinking what on earth the Storno news could be...

Cut to a few days later and.... oh. 

Stornoway are only going and headlining the Royal Albert Hall next March. 

Wait - what?!!!!!!!!

As you can probably imagine, I am ridiculously excited for this show, which the band have described as once-in-a-lifetime, and 'a journey from sea to summit'. 

"What an honour and a privilege it will be to perform at the country’s most esteemed venue. We will be celebrating our 20th Anniversary with the most special and unique show we’ve ever done, including some very special guests and songs from our career so far. We are going to bring the outside inside, filling the hall with nature, taking you on a wild, musical journey from the open sea through marshes, woodlands and up into the mountains."

See you there?! 

Tickets go on pre-sale tomorrow (Wednesday 26 March) and general sale this Friday (28th). Details on the Royal Albert Hall website here.

ALBUM NEWS: Low Island - 'bird'

Back for my monthly blog post (sorry - I'm trying!!!) with news from this week of some excellent records on the way. I'll try and come back to ramble excitedly about new Christof van der Ven (!!!) and the debut from Jacob Alon but for now - news from friends of the blog and one of my favourite bands Low Island. Their new album bird is busy making its spring migration and will be available to listen to from 29th May - I cannot wait!!! 

The album announcement comes with new track and video spit it out which is below (and, as always, superb).

If you like what you're hearing and want to experience it in the round during album release week, the band are playing a few shows in Bristol, London, Brighton, Manchester and Oxford - tickets here. It has been far too long since I saw them live so I'm hoping I can make one of these or another show later in the year! 

Pre-order your copy of bird here.

Follow Low Island - Instagram.