Fresh from supporting Belle and Sebastian at the Royal Albert Hall, The Loft, original Creation Records legends, set out on a UK tour in May 2026 in the wake of their rave-reviewed Top 20 album, ‘Everything Changes, Everything Stays the Same’, and a string of sold out dates, including touring with The Wedding Present.
The band heads out on tour, 41 years, almost to the day, since their classic ‘Up The Hill And Down The Slope’, topped the indie singles chart. Since their infamous onstage split at the Hammersmith Palais in 1985, their status as one of the UK’s most influential guitar bands of the ‘80s continues to grow and to influence a host of younger artists. Check out the attached video, the story of The Loft from their Creation days up to the recording of the album.
“We played some fantastic sell out shows with brilliant audiences last year, but we just couldn’t fit in gigs everywhere that wanted us to play,” says guitarist, Andy Strickland, “now, with even more new songs to play, plus our ‘greatest hits’, we can’t wait to get back onstage.”
“From what people told us last year, the band is sounding better than ever, and the new songs have kind of picked up where we left off all those years ago, so the set is a celebration of both old and new,” adds singer Pete Astor. “We’re really very excited, and grateful, to be able to still do this.”
“There is no wine before its time” – Lenny Kaye
“The long game is one the Loft have played rather well” – MOJO
“An unassuming masterpiece” – Louder Than War
Support comes from local favourites The Kobayashi Bookstore.
Formed from the ashes of The New Fools, The Cambridge six-piece released their acclaimed, self-titled, debut album last year.
“We are looking forward to playing our new songs at various gigs this year” says singer Tony Jenkins, “playing with The Loft is going to be a blast! We all love the band and can’t believe it’s over forty years since we were playing ‘Up the Hill…’ on repeat!”
“It’s not often the debut album of a new band is as assured as this belter from The Kobayashi Bookstore.” John Welsh – Into Creative
“A slice of retro gorgeousness” George Paterson – Lost In Music
“The tracks are ace!” Gary Crowley
With OLLIE JACKSON
Ollie Jackson was singer/songwriter of another Creation band, Emily. In 1990 the band released ‘Rub Al Khali’, on Cambridge label Everlasting Records, an album that made The Guardian’s “Best 50 album you’ve never heard of”. It was a million miles from their earlier releases on Creation, Esurient and Sha La La and was released to huge critical acclaim but yep, you’ve probably never heard of it! Ollie released a solo album, ‘South Foreland’ in 2024, now he’s making his first live outing in many years!
“a rich and strange album utterly out of step with its era.” Alexis Petridis, The Guardian on ‘Rub Al Khali’
“melodic and melancholic, at times hauntingly and sorrowfully so” a jumped up pantry boy blog on “South Foreland”
Facilities
- Beer Garden
- WIFI
