The sound of feedback-drenched guitars and whispered vocals is returning to UK stages. My Bloody Valentine — the Irish-English band whose 1991 album Loveless redefined shoegaze and influenced generations — have confirmed their first tour of the UK and Ireland in nearly a decade. Four shows are locked in: Dublin’s 3Arena on November 22, Manchester’s Aviva Studios on the 24th, London’s OVO Arena Wembley on the 25th, and Glasgow’s OVO Hydro on the 27th. The Dublin show? Already sold out. No surprise. Fans waited ten years for this.
Why This Tour Matters More Than Just Tickets
It’s not just a reunion. It’s a reckoning. My Bloody Valentine disappeared after Loveless — a record so dense, so emotionally overwhelming, that it became a myth. Bands tried to copy it. Critics called it perfect. Fans lived inside it. Then silence. For ten years. They returned in 2013 with m b v, a startling, glitchy, beautiful follow-up that felt like a ghost whispering back. But since then? Nothing. No tours. No interviews. Just whispers. Now, they’re back — and the demand is visceral.
The Shows: Pricing, Policies, and the Reality of Getting In
Tickets are priced differently across venues, and the numbers tell a story. In Manchester, standard tickets start at £55 with a £2.50 booking fee — but Stereoboard lists them from £60.50. London’s OVO Arena Wembley offers tickets from £41.75, while Glasgow’s OVO Hydro starts at £53.12. Dublin’s price remains ‘to be confirmed,’ but it’s irrelevant — it’s gone. These aren’t just concerts; they’re events with rules. At Wembley, no bags larger than 40 x 35 x 19 cm. In Manchester, anything bigger than an A4 sheet is banned. Security is tight. No exceptions.
And the lineup? London’s show features J Mascis — frontman of Dinosaur Jr., another pillar of 90s alternative rock. That’s not a supporting act. That’s a legend sharing the stage. This isn’t nostalgia. It’s a lineage.
Accessibility: A Rare Model of Inclusion
Here’s where Factory International, which runs Aviva Studios, stands out. The accessible viewing platform is sold out — but they’re not just saying “sorry.” They’re offering free essential companion tickets for wheelchair users and disabled visitors. No proof required. Just call 0161 817 4531 or email [email protected]. They even say you can book a companion ticket with a £10 ticket. That’s not compliance. That’s care. Most venues treat accessibility as an afterthought. This isn’t.
What Comes After the UK? Japan, Then What?
The tour doesn’t end in Glasgow. In February 2026, My Bloody Valentine head to Japan: Namba Hatch Osaka on February 3, Zepp Namba Osaka on the 4th, and two nights at Tokyo Garden Theatre on the 6th and 9th. Why Japan? Because their cult there is almost religious. Because the sound of Loveless still echoes in Tokyo’s underground clubs. Because in Japan, they’ve always been more than a band — they’re a phenomenon.
The Legacy: Why ‘Loveless’ Still Haunts Music
Think about it. In 1991, My Bloody Valentine spent two years and a fortune making Loveless. They recorded until their fingers bled. They re-recorded vocals until the voices sounded like they were underwater. They broke their label. They broke their relationships. And then they vanished. The album didn’t sell millions. But it changed everything. Bands like Radiohead, Sigur Rós, and even modern acts like Beach House trace their DNA back to that record. When Kevin Shields (the band’s guitarist and architect) says he’s “not interested in playing the old songs,” fans know he means it. But they’ll play them anyway. Because that’s what happens when art becomes sacred.
There’s a quiet tension here. These aren’t reunion shows. They’re pilgrimages. People aren’t just buying tickets — they’re buying a moment. A chance to feel that same disorientation, that same beauty, that same overwhelming noise that made them feel less alone in the 90s. And now, for a few nights in November, it’s happening again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Dublin show sold out before tickets went on sale to the public?
The Dublin 3Arena show sold out within hours of the announcement, likely due to a combination of fan loyalty, the band’s limited touring history, and the venue’s capacity (around 14,000). Pre-sales for members of the band’s official fan club and local radio promotions may have absorbed much of the initial inventory before general sale. With no new material since 2013, fans see this as a rare, possibly final, chance to see them live in Ireland.
What’s the significance of J Mascis opening for My Bloody Valentine in London?
J Mascis, frontman of Dinosaur Jr., was a peer and influence during the early 90s alternative scene. His guitar tone and raw songwriting helped shape the same sonic landscape My Bloody Valentine pushed further. Having him open isn’t just a cool booking — it’s a symbolic passing of the torch between two pillars of noise-rock. Fans will hear echoes of Green Mind and Loveless in the same night, making the Wembley show feel like a historic moment in alternative music.
Why are bag restrictions so strict at these venues?
Large bags are banned for security reasons following increased concerns over crowd safety in major UK venues since the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. OVO Arena Wembley and Aviva Studios enforce strict bag policies to reduce risks and speed up entry. A4-sized bags are the maximum — meaning no backpacks, large purses, or duffels. This isn’t unique to these shows, but the consistency across venues shows a coordinated effort to balance fan experience with safety.
Why are there no dates in the US or Canada?
My Bloody Valentine has toured the US sparingly since 2013, often skipping major cities. Their label, Rough Trade, and management focus on markets where they have the strongest legacy — the UK, Ireland, and Japan. The US tour logistics are complex, and the band has historically preferred smaller, more intimate venues, which are harder to coordinate at scale. A US tour isn’t ruled out, but for now, it’s not on the table.
Is there a chance of new music after this tour?
Kevin Shields has hinted in interviews that new material is in progress, but it’s slow. The band’s perfectionism means years of recording, re-recording, and tweaking. Given the time between m b v (2013) and now, fans shouldn’t expect anything soon. But the fact they’re touring again — and playing deep cuts alongside new live arrangements — suggests they’re not done. The real question isn’t if they’ll make new music, but whether they’ll ever be satisfied with it.
Can I buy companion tickets for accessibility needs through Ticketmaster?
No. Factory International, which runs Aviva Studios, requires all accessibility tickets — including free companion tickets — to be purchased directly through them, not third-party sites like Ticketmaster or Gigs and Tours. This ensures proper tracking and prevents abuse of the system. Call 0161 817 4531 or email [email protected]. They’re the only way to guarantee access.
