The Pogues, the legendary Irish folk-punk band whose music has left an indelible mark on generations of listeners, are set to ignite stages across the UK and Ireland this winter with their Greatest Hits tour. After the overwhelming response to their recent anniversary tours in the UK and North America, the band is returning to the road, promising to deliver all the fan favorites and more. According to reporting by Manchester Evening News and local event listings, the tour will see the group make stops at some of the region’s most iconic venues, including the O2 Apollo in Manchester, 3Arena Dublin, The SSE Arena in Belfast, and Gleneagle Arena Killarney.
Original members James Fearnley, Jem Finer, and Spider Stacy are at the helm once again, leading what’s described as a superlative collection of special guest musicians and singers. Among these guests are the cream of the current generation of Irish artists, whose innovative takes on traditional music have been hailed as some of the most extraordinary sounds to emerge in recent years. The Pogues’ songbook, forged in the creative fires of the 1980s, will be infused with new energy and joy, ensuring a celebration that’s both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.
The tour kicks off in Manchester at the O2 Apollo on December 4, 2026, before heading to Dublin’s 3Arena on December 9, Belfast’s SSE Arena on December 10, and Killarney’s Gleneagle Arena on December 12. Tickets for the Manchester show go on sale at 10am on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, while the Dublin, Belfast, and Killarney dates go on sale at 10am on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, via Ticketmaster. The buzz around these shows is palpable, with fans eager to relive the magic of classics like “Fairytale of New York,” “Dirty Old Town,” “A Pair of Brown Eyes,” “Rainy Night in Soho,” and “If I Should Fall From Grace With God.”
In a statement shared with fans, The Pogues said, “After the incredible reaction to our recent anniversary shows, we wanted to take the celebration even further — we hope you’ll come along, it will most definitely be worth it.” That sense of celebration is at the heart of the upcoming tour, which promises not just a trip down memory lane but a living, breathing testament to the enduring power of The Pogues’ music.
Manchester, a city with a storied musical history of its own, is gearing up for a bumper year of live music in 2026. Alongside The Pogues’ highly anticipated return, the city will host a slew of other major acts and festivals. Alison Moyet, renowned for her powerful vocals and her work with synth-pop duo Yazoo, is set to perform at the O2 Apollo on October 16, 2026. Her tour, coming on the heels of her first Top 10 chart position in over a decade, will feature a setlist drawn exclusively from the Yazoo catalogue and her acclaimed solo albums, offering fans a rare chance to hear these songs live.
Meanwhile, the Neighbourhood Festival is set to light up multiple venues across Manchester on October 17, 2026. Since its inception in 2016, the festival has served as a launchpad for emerging talent, boasting alumni like Sam Fender, Mabel, and Holly Humberstone. This year’s lineup includes KEO, fresh off a sold-out headline show at the O2 Ritz, as well as BBC Sound of 2026 nominees Florence Road, The Guest List, Brogeal, Brooki, and Girl In The Year Above. The festival’s reputation as a destination for music discovery is only growing, and tickets are already in high demand.
Hard-Fi, another act with deep roots in the UK music scene, are also making their long-awaited return to Manchester. The band will play the O2 Ritz on December 5, 2026, in support of their first new studio album in 15 years, “Sweating Someone Else’s Fever.” Written and recorded throughout 2025, the album is described as a bold reflection on the fractured present, blending the sharp-eyed social commentary of their debut with fresh sounds and a renewed sense of creative freedom. According to Manchester Evening News, the album’s title is inspired by an El Salvador saying about not fighting other people’s ego-based battles, hinting at the band’s introspective yet socially conscious approach.
Adding to the excitement, Lily Allen will bring her acclaimed “West End Girl” album to the AO Arena for two nights on June 19 and 20, 2026. Her latest album has achieved massive global success, racking up more than 150 million streams and securing a third consecutive Top 5 position on the UK Albums Chart. The upcoming shows, titled “Lily Allen Performs West End Girl,” will see Allen play the album in its entirety, a treat for fans who missed out on her instantly sold-out theatre dates. The summer run marks the biggest headline tour of her career so far, underscoring her lasting appeal and the continued vitality of the UK pop scene.
For The Pogues, however, this winter’s tour is about more than just revisiting past glories. It’s a chance to reconnect with fans and introduce their timeless music to a new generation. The inclusion of guest musicians from the current wave of Irish talent ensures that the shows will be as much about the future as the past. The band’s unique blend of bawdy, riotous bangers and desolate ballads of loss and love remains as potent as ever, capturing the laughter and heartbreak of the human experience.
Tickets for The Pogues’ tour are expected to sell quickly, and with good reason. The band’s influence on both Irish and British music cannot be overstated, and their live performances have always been legendary affairs. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a newcomer drawn by the infectious energy of their music, this tour promises an unforgettable night out.
As the UK and Ireland prepare for a winter of musical celebration, The Pogues’ Greatest Hits tour stands out as a highlight in a year already packed with unmissable gigs. With original members leading the charge and a supporting cast of some of the brightest names in Irish music, these shows are set to be a joyous affirmation of the band’s enduring legacy. For many, it’ll be a chance to sing along to songs that have soundtracked decades of memories; for others, it’s an opportunity to discover the magic of The Pogues live for the very first time.
Music lovers across the UK and Ireland have much to look forward to in 2026, but for fans of The Pogues, this winter’s tour is shaping up to be something truly special—a heartfelt celebration of music, memory, and the unbreakable spirit that the band has embodied for over four decades.