As we enter the new year here's a guide on seven tours we're particularly looking forward to banging our heads to, and what we think you should be excited about too:
ARCHITECTS
By far and away some of the most anticipated shows in heavy music for years. Architects continue their meteoric rise moving from Brixton Academy to Alexandra Palace to now Wembley Arena in a few short years. Their 2018 release Holy Hell is widely acclaimed and we can't wait to hear a host of new tunes as the Architects lads set their sights on the UK after a hugely successful run across other major spots in Europe.
Monday 14th January - O2 Victoria Warehouse - Manchester
Tuesday 15th January - O2 Victoria Warehouse - Manchester
Thursday 17th January - O2 Academy - Glasgow
Friday 18th January - Motorpoint Arena - Cardiff
Saturday 19th January - The SSE Arena, Wembley - London
PARKWAY DRIVE
Following a very similar path at the moment are the Australian Metalcore titans Parkway Drive. With the release of the hugely popular Reverence midway through 2018, Parkway Drive tore up festival stages across Europe throughout the Summer before announcing a stretch of HUGE dates with the UK leg culminating in their biggest show ever on these shores at London's Alexandra Palace. Bringing along Killswitch Engage and Thy Art Is Murder for the trip this is one hell of a package.
Tuesday 29th January - O2 Apollo - Manchester
Wednesday 30th January - O2 Apollo - Manchester
Thursday 31st January - Motorpoint Arena - Nottingham
Friday 1st February - Motorpoint Arena - Cardiff
Saturday 2nd February - Alexandra Palace - London
WHILE SHE SLEEPS
Yet ANOTHER band smashing through the wall and achieving feats beyond what they've done before are While She Sleeps. Ahead of the release of their hugely anticipated new record So What? the band announced a series of shows which climaxes in their biggest ever UK headline date at The Roundhouse in London on album release day. Consistently exciting on record and a band who simply never fuck around when it comes to their live show, these dates are going to be genuinely special.
Tuesday 26th Feb - Rock City - Nottingham
Wednesday 27th Feb - SWG3 - Glasgow
Thursday 28th Feb - O2 Academy - Leeds
Friday 1st March - The Roundhouse - London
BLOOD YOUTH
With their new record Starve due out towards the end of February, Blood Youth are set for a big year and what better way to kick things off than with a stretch of big UK headline dates? This is a band who absolutely relish being on stage and we cannot wait to hear some of the new tracks unleashed on this run.
Friday 1st March - Joiners - Southampton
Sunday 3rd March - Audio - Glasgow
Wed 6th March - The Star and Garter - Manchester
Thurs 7th March - Mama Roux's - Birmingham
Fri 8th March - Underworld - London
MASTODON
Still supporting their frankly superb record Emperor Of Sand, Mastodon are set to return to UK shores across January bringing Kvelertak and Mutoid Man along with them. Alongside the excellent support acts Mastodon are also treating their loyal following by bringing Neurosis' Scott Kelly along for the ride. With set-lists generally difficult to predict, Mastodon are sure to dive in to sections from across their near flawless back catalogue.
Jan 14th - Ulster Hall - Belfast
Jan 15th - Olympia - Dublin
Jan 17th - O2 Guildhall - Southampton
Jan 18th - O2 Academy - Newcastle
Jan 19th - O2 Academy - Glasgow
Jan 21st - O2 Academy - Leeds
Jan 22nd - O2 Academy 2 - Birmingham
Jan 24th - UEA - Norwich
Jan 25th - O2 Academy, Brixton - London
Jan 26th - O2 Academy - Bristol
BEHEMOTH
Following the release of their widely acclaimed I Loved You At Your Darkest in the Summer, Behemoth are once again on an evil, twisted, heavy, maniacal warpath. The success of this record has allowed the band to headline venues bigger than they've ever achieved before and with their live show being a particularly spectacular feast for the senses, we're confident in including this as one of the biggest tours to look forward to this year - especially with At The Gates and Wolves In The Throne Room making up the full bill as well.
6th Feb - Marble Factory - Bristol
7th Feb - O2 Institute - Birmingham
8th Feb - The Forum, Kentish Town - London
9th Feb - O2 Ritz - Manchester
10th Feb - Vicar Street - Dublin
11th Feb - QM Union - Glasgow
PUPPY
Another band who are all set for a BIG year are the London based three-piece Puppy. Due to release their debut full length record, The Goat, on 25th January, Puppy's popularity continues to grow and grow as they tirelessly and consistently keep up a busy schedule of live shows supporting everyone from Conan to King 810 to Turbowolf to Creeper in the past year or so. Time though for a decent run of headline dates, and with the kind of form they're in at the moment, these could be very special indeed.
18th Apr - The Exchange - Bristol
19th Apr - The Flapper - Birmingham
20th Apr - Star & Garter - Manchester
21st Apr - Garage Attic - Glasgow
22nd Apr - Think Tank - Newcastle
23rd Apr - Bodega Social Club - Nottingham
24th Apr - Brudenell Social Club - Leeds
25th Apr - The Underworld - London
There are a handful of tickets on some select days for all of the tours above. Please ensure you follow the official ticket outlets when making your purchases and don't forget to pick up some official merch at the venues!