Everything Music. Everything News. Everything live.

Avatar Announces 2026 UK & European Tour

Avatar - Jonas "Kungen" Jarlsby Avatar in Concert, Brooklyn Bowl, Nashville, Tennessee, USA - 18 Jan 2022
Photo by Paul A Hebert/LiveMusicToday/Shutterstock (12767344dn)

Swedish metal sensation AVATAR is setting the stage for an exhilarating 2026 with an ambitious and extensive UK and European tour. Fronted by the dynamic Johannes Eckerström, this forthcoming series of performances is slated as AVATAR's most monumental production to date, promising both scale and spectacle to a fervent fanbase. Known for their dark carnival theatrics, the band is determined to push every boundary with this tour, following a successful stint touring with metal legends Iron Maiden and a headline gig in Mexico City titled “Noche De Brujas,” which captivated fans during the Halloween season.

The 2026 tour, which will mark a significant milestone in the band’s 25-year career, is set to kick off on February 5 in Stockholm, Sweden, and conclude on March 13 in Hamburg, Germany. Highlighting their innovative approach to live metal performances, AVATAR will showcase a diverse setlist spanning their illustrious career in various stunning venues. Among the tour’s key features is a Valentine’s Day performance at London's new venue, The Exhibition, situated in a historic Grade II-listed building, accentuating the dramatic flair synonymous with AVATAR’s concerts.

Throughout the tour, avid followers can look forward to opening performances from Alien Weaponry, adding further excitement to an already thrilling lineup. Eckerström and his bandmates—John Alfredsson, Jonas Jarlsby, Henrik Sandelin, and Tim Öhrström—aim to unveil an entirely new stage experience, highlighting both nostalgic tracks and fresh creations. This energizing mix coincides with the anticipation surrounding their upcoming tenth studio album, which is set for release later in 2025. Produced by Jay Ruston, the album promises a blend of melodic elements and ‘murder riffs,' showcasing AVATAR's evolution in their musical journey.

Expanding on their upcoming album, Eckerström revealed the songwriting process has been significantly influenced by dreams, creating a narrative rooted in surrealism and introspective storytelling. He emphasizes a bold step towards allowing subconscious inspiration to guide the album’s lyrical themes, which resonate with more personal and thoughtful explorations than in past works. This approach has enabled the band to delve into deeper emotional territories, encompassing themes of romanticism and existential musings, thus enriching the complexity and depth of their sound.

In interviews, Eckerström has expressed his view on the importance of evolving as artists to maintain relevance and connection with fans. This philosophy reflects in the band’s ongoing efforts to push creative boundaries, ensuring each album resonates with authenticity and fresh excitement. As such, the upcoming album and tour represent not only a celebration of AVATAR's past achievements but also a commitment to future innovations in the metal genre.

Tickets for the 2026 tour will be available from April 25, offering fans the chance to witness this remarkable spectacle firsthand. With AVATAR’s commitment to delivering an unparalleled live experience, this tour is positioned as a must-see event for metal enthusiasts across Europe and the UK. As AVATAR continues to harness their penchant for theatrical showmanship and robust musicality, their upcoming tour promises to cement their status as one of today’s most electrifying and must-watch metal acts.

AVATAR 2026 European tour dates:

Feb. 05 – Stockholm, Sweden – Fallan
Feb. 07- Helsinki, Finland – Kultturilato
Feb. 09 – Oslo, Norway – Sentrum Scene
Feb. 10 – Copenhagen – Denmark – Vega
Feb. 11 – Osnabrück, Germany – Die Botschaft
Feb. 12 – Brussels, Belgium – A.B.
Feb. 14 – London, UK – Exhibition
Feb. 15 – Manchester, UK – Academy
Feb. 16 – Glasgow, UK – Barrowland
Feb. 17 – Nottingham, UK – Rock City
Feb. 18 – Bristol, UK – O2 Academy
Feb. 20 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Afas Live
Feb. 21 – Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg – Rockhal
Feb. 22 – Zurich, Switzerland – Komplex
Feb. 24 – Barcelona, Spain – Razzmatazz
Feb. 25 – Madrid, Spain – La Riviera
Feb. 27 – Lisbon, Portugal – Lav
Feb. 28 – Bilbao, Spain – Santana 27
Mar. 02 – Lyon, France – Le Cube
Mar. 03- Milan, Italy – Alcatraz
Mar. 04 – Vienna, Austria – Gasometer
Mar. 05 – Munich, Germany – Tonhalle
Mar. 06 – Cologne, Germany – E-Werk
Mar. 07 – Paris, France – Le Zenith
Mar. 09 – Wiesbaden, Germany – Schlachthof
Mar. 10 – Zlin, Czech Republic – Sports Hall Datart
Mar. 11 – Warsaw, Poland – Stodola
Mar. 12 – Berlin, Germany – Columbiahalle
Mar. 13 – Hamburg, Germany – Docks

Friday, April 25 is when tickets go on sale.

Key Takeaways

Related Stories

Pete Townshend Signs Nine-Figure Deal With Primary Wave for Name, Image, and Music Rights

Pete Townshend has reached a nine-figure deal with Primary Wave covering his name, image, likeness, and certain music rights, adding to an earlier Spirit Music

Elton John Announces New Album at Glenn Gould Prize Ceremony in Toronto

Elton John surprised the crowd at the Great Canadian Casino Resort in Toronto by announcing a new album, completed despite a serious eye infection.

Jack Osbourne Says Ozzy Biopic Script Is Done, Eyes 2028 Release

Jack Osbourne confirms the Ozzy Osbourne biopic script is written and says the film will likely arrive in 2028, with a director search now underway.

Rolling Stones Unveil ‘In the Stars’ Video With De-Aged Deepfakes and Odessa A’zion

The Rolling Stones release the ‘In the Stars’ music video featuring deepfake de-aged versions of Jagger, Richards, and Wood alongside actress Odessa A’zion.

Bill Kreutzmann Celebrates 80th Birthday With a Two-and-a-Half-Hour Conga Jam

Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann turned 80 on May 7, celebrating with a surprise beach house jam session featuring Hawaiian singer-songwriter Tavana.

Watch: Foo Fighters Pack Five Songs Into Their First-Ever NPR Tiny Desk Concert

Foo Fighters made their Tiny Desk debut at NPR headquarters, playing hits from The Colour and the Shape alongside new tracks from Your Favorite Toy.

Gregg Allman Documentary to Premiere at Savannah’s Lucas Theatre on June 17

Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul gets a special premiere at Savannah’s Lucas Theatre on June 17, featuring live music, a Q&A, and a Big House Museum pop-up.

Ritchie Blackmore Confirms Christopher Cross Filled In for Him at 1970 Deep Purple Show

Ritchie Blackmore has confirmed that Christopher Cross stepped in for him during a 1970 Deep Purple show at the Jam Factory in San Antonio, Texas, ending

Julian Lennon Diagnosed With Coronary Heart Disease and Pre-Diabetes

Julian Lennon has revealed a coronary heart disease and pre-diabetic diagnosis, urging fans to get checked out early. He says he caught both conditions in time.