What’s On in the South East of England 2026 & 2027: Live Music, Concerts & Events
Posted on Tuesday 22nd September 2026 at 15:00
Written by
Will Rabjohns
What’s On in the South East of England 2026 and 2027: Live Music, Concerts and Events
Updated September 2026. Looking for live music, concerts and events happening across the South East of England in 2026 and 2027? Browse upcoming live music tickets and start planning your next gig or festival.
From Brighton and Southampton to Oxford, Reading, Margate and the Isle of Wight, this guide highlights the standout live shows, tours and festivals coming to the South East throughout 2026 and 2027.
In this guide, you’ll find:
- Major concerts and tours coming to the South East of England
- Standout shows and limited-date runs to book early
- Regional highlights from Brighton, Southampton, Oxford, Reading, Margate and the Isle of Wight
- A practical FAQ to help plan your live events calendar
Major concerts and live music events coming to the South East of England in 2026 & 2027
JAMIE T
ALBUM LAUNCH OUTSTORE: LIVE PERFORMANCE
When: Monday 19th October 2026 (O2 Academy Oxford)
The Wimbledon songwriter marks his new album with an intimate outstore show, trading arenas for a room where every word lands.
FAT DOG
ALBUM LAUNCH SHOW & CANCEL ME (I’M TIRED) TOUR
When: Monday 16th November 2026 – Saturday 6th February 2027 (multiple South East venues)
South London’s most unhinged live proposition tear across the region, turning krautrock, klezmer and rave into one glorious racket.
DMA’S
UK AND IRELAND TOUR 2027
When: Monday 1st February 2027 (O2 Guildhall Southampton)
The Sydney trio bring their festival-sized anthems and Britpop swagger to Southampton on a long-awaited UK and Ireland run.
JACK SAVORETTI
WE WILL ALWAYS BE THE WAY WE WERE TOUR PLUS STEPH FRASER
When: Tuesday 10th November 2026 (New Theatre Oxford)
Marking 20 years since his debut, Savoretti’s ninth studio album reconnects with the raw storytelling and cinematic soul that defined his earliest work.
DO NOTHING
FRIEND WORLD ALBUM RELEASE: LIVE & SIGNING
When: Wednesday 11th November 2026 (Truck, Oxford)
Nottingham’s sharpest post-punk exports celebrate release day in-store, pairing a live set with a signing at Truck.
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE
I BUILT YOU A TOWER TOUR PLUS POOL KIDS
When: Sunday 27th September 2026 (De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill-on-Sea)
One of the defining indie-rock bands of the past 30 years bring their I Built You A Tower Tour to Bexhill-on-Sea this September with support from Tallahassee math-rock and emo outfit Pool Kids.
GEN AND THE DEGENERATES
APRIL 2027 UK TOUR
When: Sunday 18th April 2027 (Daltons, Brighton)
Liverpool’s riotous art-punk firebrands land at Daltons with hooks, chaos and one of the best live shows in the country.
BELLE AND SEBASTIAN
PERFORMING IF YOU’RE FEELING SINISTER IN FULL, FOLLOWED BY A SECOND SET OF FAVOURITES
When: Wednesday 16th December 2026 (De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill-on-Sea)
Don’t miss the chance to catch one of indie’s most cherished bands as they mark 30 years of If You’re Feeling Sinister with a special anniversary show.
MYSTERY JETS
A HOLE TO SEE THE SKY THROUGH TOUR
When: Friday 27th November 2026 (Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth)
Two decades in, the Eel Pie Island indie favourites bring their restless, romantic songwriting to a packed Wedgewood Rooms.
DAMIAN LEWIS
SWEET CHAOS UK TOUR
When: Friday 2nd October 2026 (Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth)
The award-winning actor steps out as a songwriter, bringing his bluesy, road-worn Sweet Chaos material to a Portsmouth crowd.
CHAMELEONS
PLUS LOL TOLHURST & B-MOVIE
When: Saturday 24th October 2026 (Engine Rooms, Southampton)
Post-punk originals Chameleons headline a stacked bill, joined by The Cure’s Lol Tolhurst and fellow eighties mainstays B-Movie.
UB40 FEAT. ALI CAMPBELL
THE BIG LOVE TOUR
When: Friday 11th December 2026 (Brighton Centre)
UB40 feat. Ali Campbell close out The Big Love Tour with a Brighton Centre finale, bringing decades of reggae favourites to the South East this winter.
THE DUALERS
When: Saturday 7th November 2026 – Saturday 13th November 2027 (multiple South East venues)
South London’s ska and reggae favourites bring their horn-driven, feel-good live show to venues right across the South East.
More events and musical moments across the South East
Beyond the headline shows, the South East’s live events calendar is packed with festivals, comedy, touring theatre and grassroots gigs across towns and cities throughout the region.
MUTATIONS FESTIVAL 2026
WITH FAT DOG, SQUID, MIKE D, DOVE ELLIS & MORE
When: Friday 23rd & Saturday 24th October 2026 (various Brighton venues)
DOWN AT THE ABBEY FESTIVAL 2027
LINE-UP TBA
When: Friday 10th & Saturday 11th September 2027 (Reading Abbey Ruins)
GARETH MALONE
SING-A-LONG-A-GARETH: AT THE MOVIES
When: Friday 13th – Sunday 22nd November 2026 (multiple South East venues)
SIMON BRODKIN
UNLEASHED: STAND-UP TOUR 2026/27
When: Saturday 3rd October 2026 – Saturday 20th March 2027 (multiple South East dates)
LONDON SYMPHONIC ROCK ORCHESTRA
PERFORMING THE GREATEST HITS OF IRON MAIDEN, AC/DC & MORE
When: Saturday 7th November 2026 – Thursday 18th March 2027 (multiple South East venues)
XMAS ON THE DANCEFLOOR
STARRING STRICTLY’S GORKA MARQUEZ
When: Saturday 12th – Tuesday 22nd December 2026 (multiple South East dates)
STOP MAKING SENSE LIVE
A LIVE RECREATION OF THE GREATEST CONCERT MOVIE OF ALL TIME
When: Saturday 3rd April & Friday 4th June 2027 (Concorde 2, Brighton & Oxford O2 Academy)
RICK WAKEMAN
THE WIZARD OF PROG: ULTIMATE HIGHLIGHTS CONCERT TOUR FEAT. THE ENGLISH ROCK ENSEMBLE
When: Wednesday 17th February – Tuesday 9th March 2027 (multiple South East dates)
SIX THE MUSICAL
When: Tuesday 9th - Saturday 13th March 2027 (Portsmouth Guildhall)
ARE YOU LISTENING? FESTIVAL 2027
When: Saturday 8th May 2027 (various Reading venues)
TONY HADLEY
THE BIG CHRISTMAS BAND TOUR
When: Sunday 8th & Thursday 12th November 2026 (White Rock Theatre, Hastings & New Theatre Oxford)
Looking for even more events in the South East?
Browse a wider selection of gigs, tours and live entertainment below.
Regional highlights — Where to go in the South East of England
Brighton
One of the UK’s most vibrant music cities, Brighton is home to venues like The Hope and Ruin, Chalk and Concorde 2, alongside a thriving grassroots scene.
Oxford
With historic theatres and modern concert venues, Oxford regularly hosts major touring artists and special one-off performances. Truck in Oxford also showcases a huge variety of up-and-coming artists and album launches.
Reading
A key stop for UK tours, Reading offers everything from large-scale arena shows to intimate gigs and festivals.
Southampton
A major South East hub for touring artists, Southampton is home to venues including O2 Guildhall Southampton, Engine Rooms and The 1865, hosting everything from rock and metal to indie and pop.
Margate
A growing live music destination on the Kent coast, Margate hosts touring artists at Dreamland and independent venue Where Else?, alongside a lively year-round gig scene.
Venue Guide: Where Else?, Margate
From intimate gigs to boundary-pushing live shows, Where Else? has built a reputation for fresh sounds and new music discovery, showcasing both up-and-coming acts and established names on the rise.
Our venue guide covers everything you need to plan your visit, from transport tips and FAQs to upcoming gigs.
Explore Where Else? venue guideIsle of Wight
Famous for its festival heritage, the Isle of Wight also boasts year-round live music venues, such as Strings Bar & Venue and Robin Hill Country Park, which bring touring artists and local performers to the Island.
Venue Guide: Strings Bar & Venue, Isle of Wight
The award-winning venue is a 300-capacity live music and performing arts venue located in Newport, at the heart of the Isle of Wight.
Our venue guide covers everything you need to plan your visit, from transport tips and FAQs to upcoming gigs.
Explore Strings Bar & Venue guideBrowse events by town or city:
BEXHILL-ON-SEA | BRIGHTON | EASTBOURNE | FOLKESTONE | GUILDFORD | HASTINGS | ISLE OF WIGHT | MARGATE | NEWBURY | OXFORD | PORTSMOUTH | READING | SOUTHAMPTON | WORTHING
Need to know — South East events
When do tickets usually go on sale?
Most tickets go on sale shortly after an announcement, often on Friday mornings, with pre-sales sometimes available a day or two earlier. Popular shows can sell out quickly, especially in smaller venues, so it’s worth setting a reminder.
Which venues should I keep an eye on?
Major venues across the South East include Brighton Centre, O2 Guildhall Southampton and Portsmouth Guildhall, alongside smaller independent spots like Chalk in Brighton, The Bullingdon in Oxford and Strings Bar & Venue on the Isle of Wight.
Are there festivals in the South East this year?
Yes. The region hosts a wide range of festivals throughout the year, from large outdoor events like Are You Listening? Festival and Down At The Abbey to city-wide gatherings such as Mutations Festival in Brighton.
Ready to explore more live events in the South East?
Discover upcoming gigs, tours and live entertainment across Brighton, Oxford, Southampton and beyond.