Indie-rock stars Gene have announced they will play two dates at The Roundhouse in London in October 2026.
After a 21-year hiatus, Gene returned last year to perform three comeback shows that all sold-out within ten minutes of going on sale, including a truly triumphant night performing to 5300 fans at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, where the band’s classic line-up of of Martin Rossiter (vocals), Matt James (drums), Steve Mason (guitars) and Kevin Miles (bass) delivered one of the stand-out performances of their career – as captured on the live album, ‘Apollo’, which is released on 24th April on the independent label Costermonger.
Now, after a run of dates in March that will see Gene play Nottingham, Glasgow, Bristol, Manchester and Dublin, they will return to London to play The Roundhouse on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th October.
“Two nights, two different sets, too many songs to fit into one evening,” says frontman Martin Rossiter. “We’ll be giving our fans everything at these very special Roundhouse dates. It’s good to be back, see you there.”
Joining Gene at The Roundhouse on both nights will be very special guests The Slow Readers Club and Rialto.
A ticket pre-sale will take place from 10.00am on Wednesday 25th February, before going general sale at 10.00am on Friday 27th February, available from www.geneofficial.com.
Gene formed in 1993 and made their debut with the single For The Dead the following year on the indie label Costermonger, which was founded especially for the release by the journalists and authors Keith Cameron and Roy Wilkinson. Limited to 1994 copies, the seven-inch sold out in two days.
The band’s debut album, Olympian, followed on 20 March 1995 and quickly became one of the era’s best and most appreciated records – including singles Sleep Well Tonight, Haunted By You and the stately title track – as it reached the UK Top 10.
Demonstrating the depth of Gene’s artistic vision, Olympian was followed in 1996 by rarities and B-side collection To The See The Lights, which became an immediate fan favourite, before their second full album, Drawn To The Deep End, also went straight into the Top 10 in 1997, boasting the hits Fighting Fit, We Could Be Kings, Where Are They Now? and Speak To Me Someone.
With 1999’s more muscular Revelations ably capturing the end-of-century uncertainty and hope in the air at the time, Gene initially ended on the creative high of 2002 album Libertine, which Q Magazine praised for its “grace and guile” as the album gained widespread critical acclaim.
Reflecting the enduring live reputation the band enjoyed throughout their career – both for their shows and as festival favourites – Gene’s then final gig took place at the London Astoria on 16th December 2004 and saw the band go out at the peak of their powers.
While Olympian’s 30th birthday year added a great sense of occasion for Gene’s first comeback shows in 2025 for the band and fans alike, the four-piece are keen to ensure the upcoming shows show will be a celebration of everything Gene stood for.
Martin Rossiter added, “In this increasingly bleak world come and throw your arms in the air, and your legs if you must, for an evening or two of vim and vigour.”
The fill list of Gene’s UK tour dates for 2026 is now as follows:
05 March – Nottingham, Rock City (SOLD OUT)
06 March – Glasgow, Barrowlands (LOW TICKETS)
14 March –Bristol, Beacon (SOLD OUT)
25 March – Dublin, 3 Olympia
26 March – Manchester, Albert Hall (SOLD OUT)
09 Oct – London, The Roundhouse
10 Oct – London, The Roundhouse
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