Jools Holland and his world-renowned Rhythm & Blues Orchestra will return to Oxford this autumn as part of a major UK tour, with a performance confirmed at Oxford’s New Theatre on Sunday 08 November 2026.
The Oxford date forms part of a 31-date Autumn and Winter tour announced this week, which will see the celebrated musician and broadcaster perform at some of the UK’s most iconic venues. The tour includes dates at London’s Royal Albert Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Manchester’s O2 Apollo and Glasgow’s SEC Armadillo.
Renowned for his exuberant and joyful live performances, Jools Holland will once again be joined on stage by the full Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. Audiences can expect an evening packed with blues, swing, boogie woogie and ska, delivered with the musical virtuosity and spontaneity that have become hallmarks of his live shows.
Joining Jools for every date of the tour is special guest Roachford, one of the UK’s most celebrated soul artists. Since his breakthrough hit Cuddly Toy topped the UK charts in 1988, Roachford has released 10 studio albums and earned acclaim as both a songwriter and performer.
His work has attracted collaborations with artists including Michael Jackson, Joss Stone and Chaka Khan, and he continues to be recognised as one of Britain’s finest live vocalists.
Awarded an MBE for Services to Music, Roachford’s recent releases, including Twice in a Lifetime and Then & Now, have been widely praised. His appearance alongside Jools Holland promises a powerful meeting of musical minds, combining soulful vocals with rich grooves and timeless songwriting.
Opening the Oxford show and the wider tour will be Joe Webb, one of the UK’s most exciting young pianists and improvisers. A familiar collaborator with Jools Holland, Webb blends Britpop influences with classic jazz idioms and recently appeared on Jools’ Annual Hootenanny.
Jools Holland said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be heading out again with our big band. Having Roachford join us for every night of the tour is a real joy – he’s one of the great soul voices this country has produced, and every time he sings the room lights up. With the mighty Orchestra, our wonderful boogie woogie singers, and the brilliant Joe Webb opening the shows, we’re in for some very special evenings of music.”
Fans can also look forward to appearances from long-standing collaborators Ruby Turner, Louise Marshall and Sumudu Jayatilaka, alongside songs drawn from across Jools Holland’s extensive career.
Tickets go on general sale at 10.00am on Friday 30 January via venue box offices and major ticketing outlets.
Full autumn UK Tour 2026 dates
| Thursday 29 October | Southend | Cliffs Pavilion |
| Friday 30 October | Southend | Cliffs Pavilion |
| Saturday 31 October | Ipswich | Regent |
| Sunday 01 November | Cambridge | Corn Exchange |
| Thursday 05 November | Reading | Hexagon |
| Friday 06 November | Watford | Colosseum |
| Saturday 07 November | Northampton | Royal and Derngate |
| Sunday 08 November | Oxford | New Theatre |
| Thursday 12 November | Bath | Forum |
| Friday 13 November | Guildford | G Live |
| Saturday 14 November | Bournemouth | Pavilion |
| Sunday 15 November | Southampton | Mayflower |
| Wednesday 18 November | Sheffield | City Hall |
| Thursday 19 November | Stoke | Victoria Hall |
| Friday 20 November | Birmingham | Symphony Hall |
| Saturday 21 November | Birmingham | Symphony Hall |
| Wednesday 25 November | Nottingham | Royal Theatre |
| Thursday 26 November | Leicester | De Montfort Hall |
| Friday 27 November | London | Royal Albert Hall |
| Saturday 28 November | London | Royal Albert Hall |
| Wednesday 02 December | Stockton | Globe |
| Thursday 03 December | Newcastle | City Hall |
| Friday 04 December | Glasgow | SEC Armadillo |
| Saturday 05 December | Glasgow | SEC Armadillo |
| Friday 11 December | Bristol | Beacon |
| Saturday 12 December | Brighton | Centre |
| Wednesday 16 December | York | Barbican |
| Thursday 17 December | Manchester | O2 Apollo |
| Friday 18 December | Bradford | Live |
| Saturday 19 December | Plymouth | Pavilion |
| Sunday 20 December | Cardiff | Utilita Arena |
