This week, Tori Amos swept into the BBC Radio 2 Piano Room at London’s Maida Vale Studios, delivering a performance that sent ripples through the music world and reignited anticipation for her forthcoming album, In Times of Dragons. The celebrated singer-songwriter, renowned for her singular blend of confessional lyricism and virtuosic piano skills, took to the stage on Tuesday, February 25, 2026, backed by the lush sound of the BBC Concert Orchestra. It was a moment that felt at once intimate and grand, a testament to both Amos’s enduring artistry and the unique magic of the Piano Room series.
Amos’s appearance came hot on the heels of her Monday debut of the new single “Stronger Together,” the lead track from In Times of Dragons. That Monday, February 24, marked the song’s first unveiling, a collaboration with her daughter Tash that hinted at the album’s themes of unity and resistance. But it was Tuesday’s live session at Maida Vale that truly showcased the depth and resonance of the new material, as Amos opened with a stirring rendition of “Stronger Together” that set the tone for the set.
According to Consequence, the Piano Room session was more than just a showcase for new songs. Amos dove into her back catalog with a performance of her classic hit “Cornflake Girl,” a track that has long stood as a pillar of her repertoire. Then, in a move that delighted longtime fans and newcomers alike, she reimagined rock and folk standards, offering covers of The Rolling Stones’ “Beast of Burden” and Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin’.” These weren’t mere tributes; Amos’s interpretations were delicate, piano-driven, and emotionally charged, breathing new life into familiar melodies. Her “Beast of Burden” softened the edges of the original, while her take on Dylan’s anthem felt both timely and timeless, a folk classic reframed in the present moment.
Clips from the session quickly made the rounds online, drawing praise for the way Amos’s voice and piano intertwined with the BBC Concert Orchestra’s sweeping arrangements. Fans on social media marveled at the beauty and depth of the collaboration, with many noting how the orchestral backing elevated the emotional impact of the songs. For UK fans, the entire performance was made available via BBC iPlayer, ensuring that the magic of the session could be experienced beyond the studio walls.
In Times of Dragons, set for release on May 1, 2026, via Universal/Fontana, marks Amos’s 18th studio album—a remarkable milestone for an artist whose career has spanned more than three decades. The album, described by Amos as a “metaphorical story about the fight for democracy over tyranny,” is as politically charged as it is personal. In her own words, Amos has said the record reflects “the current abhorrent non-accidental burning down of democracy in real time by the ‘Dictator believing Lizard Demons’ in their usurpation of America.” It’s a statement that leaves little doubt about the urgency and intent behind the music.
The anticipation for In Times of Dragons has only grown in the wake of Amos’s Piano Room appearance. As Music Week reports, the session offered listeners a rare chance to hear new material in a live, orchestral setting—a format that has become a hallmark of the Radio 2 Piano Room. The series itself has blossomed into a coveted promotional opportunity for artists, with performances broadcast live on Vernon Kay’s mid-morning show and made available across BBC Sounds, iPlayer, and YouTube.
Jeff Smith, Head of Music at BBC Radio 2/6 Music, reflected on the evolution of the Piano Room, now in its fifth season. He described this year’s edition as “a tremendous success” and “certainly our most talked-about yet,” with a lineup that included not just Amos but also Darius Rucker, Pulp, Jessie J, and Laufey. Smith emphasized the singular pull of the event, noting, “It’s an opportunity to perform with a 24 or 25-piece orchestra, which isn’t always easy to come by. Artists work with us on the arrangements, we collaborate. It can be a singer and some backing vocalists, or they can bring a band.”
For Amos, the Piano Room offered a chance to revisit her influences and weave them into a performance that felt both reflective and bold. As Consequence observed, her set “blended covers of rock and folk classics with her own music in a way that felt reflective, intimate and bold.” The session not only showcased her technical prowess but also underscored the thematic concerns of her new album—resilience, solidarity, and the ongoing struggle for justice.
The excitement doesn’t stop with the album release. To commemorate In Times of Dragons, Amos will embark on an ambitious 35-show tour across North America, beginning in July 2026 in Florida and concluding in September in Seattle. The tour will see her stopping in major cities like Dallas, Phoenix, and Boston, offering fans a chance to experience the new material—and perhaps some of those stirring covers—live on stage. Tickets are already available, and pre-orders for the album are ongoing, a sign of the enduring enthusiasm surrounding Amos’s work.
This latest chapter in Amos’s career follows her foray into children’s literature with the 2025 release of her debut children’s book, “Tori and the Muses,” and its companion album. That project marked a creative expansion for the artist, but In Times of Dragons sees her returning to the politically charged, musically adventurous territory that first won her acclaim.
The Piano Room itself has become something of a phenomenon in the music industry. As Smith explained to Music Week, the series has grown in stature and recognition, attracting artists at various stages of their careers and offering them a platform to experiment with orchestral arrangements. Notable past performances by acts like Depeche Mode, Andrea Bocelli, and Raye have drawn millions of views on YouTube, further cementing the event’s reputation as a place for unique, career-defining moments.
Smith observed, “It’s about their ambition, too. When we had Raye in 2023, it was one of the first times she’d performed with an orchestra, and we learned afterwards that it was one of the experiences that really focused her on appearing with orchestras. Olivia Dean was similar, new artists can cut their teeth working with a great orchestra, and I think it tests them too.”
For Amos, the challenge of performing live with an orchestra—and the opportunity to reinterpret her own songs and those of others—seemed to bring out the best in her. The session served as a reminder of her ability to bridge genres and generations, connecting the past and present through music that feels both deeply personal and broadly resonant.
As the music world looks ahead to the release of In Times of Dragons and Amos’s upcoming tour, her Piano Room performance stands as a vivid example of how live music can inspire, provoke, and unite. In a time of uncertainty and upheaval, Amos’s message of strength and togetherness has never felt more timely—or more necessary.