5 Best bands touring the UK in 2025 

IRON MAIDEN
Photo: John McMurtrie

The United Kingdom is set to play host some of the most anticipated tours of the decade. From genre-defining performances to stadium-filling rock concerts, these bands will cater to various musical tastes onstage this year. 

A lineup of iconic bands is gearing up to take the stage across various cities in the UK. Among the heavyweights are Coldplay and Oasis, both of whom are expected to dominate the music scene with highly anticipated live shows. However, they are not alone; there are other legendary and contemporary bands who are also bringing the heat to British shores.

These tours do not only highlight the diversity of musical talent but also the role of the UK as a global hub for live performance. 2025 offers something extraordinary for everyone, whether you are a fan of stadium anthems, heavy metal, or pop bangers. With trusted resellers like Seatsnet.com, secure your tickets on time, brace yourself for the electrifying performances, and settle in for a year of unforgettable concerts.

In this article, we explore five of the best bands that will be touring the UK in 2025

1. Coldplay —  “Music of the Spheres World Tour”

Coldplay are one of the most entertaining live acts from the UK; they will continue their record-breaking “Music of the Spheres World Tour” into 2025. The tour began in March 2022 to promote their ninth and tenth studio albums, “Music of the Spheres,” released in 2021, and “Moon Music,” in 2024.

The band has already grossed over $1.2 billion and attracted 10.9 million attendees across 184 dates. This tour has made history as the most attended by a band and the first to surpass $1 billion in revenue from Coldplay tickets. Coldplay’s commitment to sustainability is one of the cornerstones of this tour.

The band reduced CO2 emissions by 59% compared to their previous “Head Full of Dreams Tour,” planted 9 million trees, and powered their shows with solar, wind, and kinetic energy. The band’s efforts have been lauded as a new benchmark for sustainable touring, influencing the broader live music industry.

Coldplay will perform a staggering ten shows in the UK, breaking records with their performance at London’s Wembley Stadium. The band will mark their debut with two nights at Hull’s Craven Park Stadium on August 18 and 19. To celebrate this feat, the band announced that 50% of tickets for their shows in Hull would be reserved for local fans with specific postcodes (HU, YO, DN, LN). This gesture showcases the band’s commitment to accessibility.

After their Hull concerts, Coldplay head to Wembley Stadium for eight nights: August 22, 23, 26, 27, 30, 31, and September 3, 4, 7, and 8. This run of shows surpasses the previous record for concerts held at the iconic stadium by Take That and Taylor Swift, thus cementing Coldplay’s status as a live music juggernaut. Fans can buy Coldplay London tickets from Seatsnet.com.

Furthermore, 10% of the proceeds from these shows will be used to support the Music Venue Trust, aiding grassroots venues and upcoming artists. Fans can expect an unforgettable night filled with emotional highs, all enhanced by Coldplay’s signature production elements, whether it is the tear-jerking “Fix You” being performed or the euphoric “A Sky Full of Stars.”

2. Oasis — Oasis Live ’25 Tour”

The iconic Britpop band is making a seismic return in 2025 since their infamous split in 2009 with their “Oasis Live ’25 Tour”. The Gallagher brothers, Liam and Noel, have reconciled after 15 years of public feuds, sending shockwaves through the music world with the announcement of their reunion tour in August 2024. The tour is a global affair, with dates in North America and Australia, and their only European appearance in 2025 will be in the UK and Ireland. The band’s return has seen a maniac demand for tickets despite the controversies with dynamic pricing, where tickets were sold at inflated prices.

Oasis will play 19 massive shows in the UK from July 4 to August 17, 2025, across multiple cities. They will start with two nights at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on July 4 and 5, followed by four shows at the brother’s hometown in Manchester. Heaton Park will welcome them on July 11, 12, 19, and 20. The Blossoms are confirmed as the supporting act for the shows.

The band will then head to London for seven nights at Wembley Stadium on July 25, 26, 30, 31, and August 2, 3, 8, and 9. Additional dates include Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium on August 12 and 13 and Dublin’s Croke Park on August 16 and 17. Supporting acts for the tour include Richard Ashcroft of The Verve, who might open for the band in the UK.

Given the Gallagher brothers’ previous banter, some fans are cautiously optimistic to witness the tension between the brothers together onstage. Nonetheless, these shows promise to be spectacular, bringing Britpop back to the forefront and giving a new generation the chance to experience Oasis perform live.

3. Iron Maiden — “Run For Your Lives World Tour”

The band was formed in Leyton, East London, by bassist Steve Harris, who was inspired by the wave of heavy metal in Britain. The band quickly rose to prominence with the release of their self-titled debut album in 1980. With 17 studio albums to their name, Iron Maiden has influenced countless bands in the metal genre. The band consists of Harris and Bruce Dickinson, guitarists Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, Janick Gers, and drummer Nicko McBrain.

The heavy metal Titans are embarking on their “Run For Your Lives World Tour” in 2025, celebrating 50 years since the band’s formation. This tour follows their successful shows in 2024 and includes dates across Europe and North America. The focus is on delivering high-energy performances that span their extensive discography, from classics like “The Trooper” to newer tracks from their 2021 album “Senjutsu.”

Iron Maiden will play five shows in June. They will kick off the UK leg with a special performance at Birmingham’s Villa Park on June 5. This performance will be part of the “Back to the Beginning” concert honouring Black Sabbath, where they will share the stage with other metal acts. This will be followed by gigs in Cardiff’s Blackweir Fields on July 3 and the 45,000-capacity Finsbury Park in London on July 6.

Additional dates include shows in Dublin and another city in the UK, though specifics for the latter are yet to be announced. Amon Amarth, Anthrax, Mastodon, Hatebreed, and NECKBREAKKER will open these shows for the band, ensuring a full-throttle metal experience. Steve Harris has expressed particular excitement for the London Stadium show, noting his connection as a West Ham fan. Tickets are available through various platforms, with prices varying by venue but generally starting around £50. It was a night of headbanging with Maiden’s signature blend of historical storytelling and blistering guitar riffs, all amplified by an iconic stage production.

4. Scissor Sisters  — Reunion Tour

The Scissor Sisters was formed in New York in 2001, a band emerging from a vibrant queer club scene the city was known for. The band initially consisted of Jake Shears, Babydaddy, Ana Matronic, Del Marquis, and Paddy Boom. Their self-titled debut album, “Scissor Sisters,” released in 2004, became a global sensation, selling over 3 million copies and earning them three BRIT Awards in 2005. The band is known for hits like “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin'” and “Filthy/Gorgeous.”

The flamboyant pop-rock band is reuniting for their first excursion in 12 years this year, much to the delight of fans who have missed their infectious energy. The band announced their comeback in October 2024, with Jake Shears, Babydaddy, and Del Marquis leading the charge.

However, co-vocalist Ana Matronic will not be joining them, a decision the band has announced publicly. Although there is no specific name for their tour, the band is gearing up to play shows in the UK. The tour spans North America and Europe, focusing on delivering the high-octane, glitter-filled performances that made them a staple of the 2000s music scene.

In the UK, Scissor Sisters will play a 10-date arena show starting May 10, 2025, in Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena, a 10,000-capacity venue perfect for the band’s theatrical flair. More stops are scheduled at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro on May 12, the International Centre in Bournemouth on May 14, Cardiff’s Utilita Arena on May 16, and Manchester’s AO Arena on May 18. The tour continues with a highly anticipated show at London’s O2 Arena on May 20. Further dates include Leeds’ First Direct Arena on May 22, Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on May 24, Belfast on May 26 at the SSE Arena, and a final UK show in Dublin at the 3Arena on May 28.

Their London show at the O2 Arena is a highlight, promising a night of sequins, sass, and unapologetic fun. The band has teased a setlist that will span their discography, likely including fan favourites like “Take Your Mama” alongside deeper cuts. They are also part of co-headlining the North American Tour “Tits Out Tour” with Kesha in the summer. The band’s signature blend of disco, pop, and rock, all wrapped in a theatrical performance, celebrates their legacy as queer icons in music.

5. Electric Light Orchestra (ELO)  — “The Over and Out Tour”

Jeff Lynne leads ELO, and they will embark on a farewell tour in 2025, “The Over and Out Tour”. This will mark their final performance after a storied career that began in the 1970s. The band is known for their unique sound, a fusion of rock, pop, and classical music. ELO has produced timeless hits like “Mr. Blue Sky”, “Don’t Bring Me Down,” and “Evil Woman.” This tour has been dubbed the band’s “last hurrah,” following a triumphant Glastonbury headline set in 2024. It includes dates across North America and Europe, with the UK shows serving as a poignant goodbye to their British fans.

Electric Light Orchestra will play three dates in the UK and kick off their show in Birmingham, Jeff Lynne’s hometown, at Utilita Arena on July 5 and 6. Two shows in Manchester at the Co-op Live on July 10, 2025, will follow this. The band’s final performance will be at BST Hyde Park in London on July 13. These shows will feature a full orchestra; ELO’s signature sound with lush and symphonic arrangements will be live for all to witness for the last time. Tickets for the BST Hyde Park show are still available, though the Birmingham show has seen high demand due to its sentimental significance.

The setlist will consist of hits spanning decades, and with Lynne’s meticulous production ensuring every note is perfect, fans can expect an unforgettable display of electric performances. These performances will be a bittersweet celebration of ELO’s legacy, offering a final chance to see one of the most innovative bands of the 20th century.

 

Xsnoize Author
Mark Millar is the founder of XS Noize and host of the XS Noize Podcast, where he interviews top music artists and emerging talent. Known for insightful, in-depth conversations, Mark brings a passionate, fan-first approach to music journalism. Favourite album: Achtung Baby by U2. Follow on X: @mark_xsnoize.

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