Acid Jazz pioneers The Brand New Heavies will bring their 35th anniversary UK tour to Oxford’s New Theatre on Monday 23 March 2026, as part of a 12-date nationwide run celebrating one of Britain’s most influential soul-funk bands.
The Oxford show forms a key stop on the March 2026 tour, which sees the band perform across the UK with special guests Galliano appearing at every date. Tickets are on sale now via AEG Presents.
With a catalogue packed with era-defining hits including Dream On Dreamer, Midnight At The Oasis, You Are The Universe and Back To Love, The Brand New Heavies helped shape the Acid Jazz movement, blending jazz, funk and hip-hop into a sound that dominated radio and charts throughout the 1990s. The band has sold more than 2.5 million albums worldwide.
Founding members Simon Bartholomew and Andrew Levy continue to lead the group, alongside vocalist Angela Ricci, whose powerful performances have become a highlight of recent tours. Albums such as Brother Sister and Shelter both reached the UK Top 5 and achieved Platinum status, cementing the band’s reputation as outstanding live performers.
Support on the Oxford date comes from Galliano, the first act ever signed to the Acid Jazz label, who returned in 2023 after a long hiatus and released their first album in 28 years, Halfway Somewhere, in 2024.
Speaking about the tour, founders Simon Bartholomew and Andrew Levy said, “We can’t wait to hit the road across the UK again! There’s nothing quite like the connection we feel when we play these songs together. Celebrating 35 years of The Brand New Heavies has been incredible, and this tour is all about sharing that joy, funk, and love with everyone who’s been part of the journey – old friends and new faces alike!”
Full UK 2026 Tour Dates
| Tueday 17 March 2026 | Glasgow | St. Luke’s |
| Wednesday 18 March 2026 | Gateshead | The Glasshouse ICM |
| Thursday 19 March 2026 | York | Barbican |
| Saturday 21 March 2026 | Norwich | The Nick Rayns LCR, UEA |
| Sunday 22 March 2026 | Southend | Cliffs Pavilion |
| Monday 23 March 2026 | Oxford | New Theatre |
| Tuesday 24 March 2026 | London | Eventim Apollo |
| Thursday 26 March 2026 | Bristol | Beacon |
| Friday 27 March 2026 | Wolverhampton | Civic Hall |
| Saturday 28 March 2026 | Liverpool | Philharmonic Hall |
| Sunday 29 March 2026 | Manchester | Opera House |
| Tuesday 31 March 2026 | Nottingham | Rock City |
