Scottish pop rock titans Deacon Blue to celebrate 40 years of the band with brand new album and massive UK tour
Deacon Blue are delighted to announce the 2025 release of a brand new studio album - which will be entitled The Great Western Road, released on 21 March 2025 by Cooking Vinyl โ plus two sets of dates in the UK and Ireland.
2025 marks 40 years since Ricky Ross met Dougie Vipond and they started to form Deacon Blue, the songs on The Great Western Road reflect the journey the band has taken and remain honest to the age and experience they all share. Ricky Ross: โItโs just the next part of the adventure and itโs as exciting now as it was back in 1988โ.
The album will be preceded by the single โLate โ88โ on 29 November which fondly remembers the care-free excitement of those early days. The Great Western Road, recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios, sees Ricky Ross and (Deacon Blue guitarist and long term collaborator) Gregor Philp return to production duties, having last produced the bandsโ Top 5 charting and their last full-length album, 2020โs โCity Of Loveโ. This album was recorded by Matt Butler, who first worked with the band on their debut, โRaintownโ.
There will be a limited run of five theatre shows in late March and April 2025 to herald the arrival of the album, followed by 15 arena shows across the UK and Ireland, which kick off in Liverpool on 19 September 2025, they play Wembley Arena for the first time since 1990, and finish with two hometown shows at the Glasgow Hydro on 10 and 11 October. Tickets for all shows will go on sale on 29 November.
Ricky Ross says of the two differing sets of dates, โI love the idea that a circus coming to town is a temporary existence, a little bit of magic suddenly appears in the middle of a town or a village and then it goes away. Itโs very similar to what you do live. The live experience is so ephemeral, at the end of a show people lose all their inhibitions, and then itโs over. You have to be there. Thatโs whatโs magical about it."ย
โThere will be two different shows, weโre curating a show that changes and evolves, pulling out little surprises every now and again. The theatres are more intimate and give us a chance to bring out one or two things that we wouldnโt do in the arenas. They give us a chance to play songs from the new album and songs from other albums that we have never played before. And we have some amazing nights at the big shows in the arenas, we suit the show to the place weโre playing and our mantra is โwe want people to have the best night of their livesโ. Every night has got to be brilliant.โ
Truly, fans of this loved and revered Scottish band have plenty to celebrate next year: 2025 brings not only the 40th anniversary, and two sets of concert dates, but also The Great Western Road studio album.
Deacon Blue were brilliant playing both current songs & back catalogue - sounded great too! Do not forget the support of Martyn Joseph - great tunes & voice!!
A great concert with almost all the hits & good exposure of new album The Great Western Road
Having seen Deacon Blue more than 10 times, they never fail to impress and this occasion was no exception. The Great Western Road album is fabulous and they played a number of tracks from it along side all the favourite standards. Amazing night, thank you to Ricky, Lorraine and the whole band for a job well done. We look forward to next time. Please never give up...๐๐๐๐๐
I first saw Deacon Blue live in 1988 - they still have all the energy, heart and soul that they did then, but an even longer list of absolutely belting songs to treat their fans to at a concert. The band and music were fantastic. The only reason this isn't a 5* review is that about 1/4 of the crowd were really badly behaved during songs they clearly didn't know, speaking really loudly and acting surprised when they were shushed! (And there was wide-spread shushing from the rest of the audience.) If people would rather go to the pub for a catch up with their mates, they should do that and not ruin others experience. Audience behaviour is so bad now that venues are going to have to start reminding people of the correct etiquette.
Great gig with band on great form, highlliting new album the western road with back catalogue gems and of course the mega hits!
What a fabulous evening. Deacon Blue were amazing, playing a great selection of past and present songs. We were in awe of the stamina required from Ricky and Lorraine to sing throughout the 2 hours - and the audience really appreciated this. We booked this for our Golden Wedding celebration and loved every minute. Thank you Deacon Blue and Cambridge.
WOW WOW WOW. Deacon sings the Blues; the ultimate live performers. This concert was billed to roll out new material from the Great Western Road, sprinkled with a selection of historical favourites. The new songs are DB through and through, soulful, lyrical and musical. There are future classics on this album. On stage for 2 hours, Ricky, Lorraine and the gang did not stop. Lorraine's haunting vocals featured more than in previous live shows, and that is a fabulous thing. I saw them a few times in the early days....1987, 88 & 89. They were great then; they are greater now. The Bristol Beacon was a superb venue; the smaller more intimate venues are always a bonus. Roll on next time!
Its been a long time. What a trully exceptional band that are masters of the craft and deeply understand their crowd.. Thank you Deacon Blue, you are and always have been sensational. I felt like I was with the most treasured old friends. 10 out of 10+
Deacon Blue and support top notch as ever. The only thing that slightly dampened the otherwise brilliant event, were a couple of over zealous security staff, totally unnecessary. Hopefully something they enjoy as much won't be impacted as it was with loyal DB fans. Thanks.
Great night at the Bristol Beacon in the company of Deacon Blue. A good mix of old and new material performed with energy. Vocals as good as ever. I felt like I had been transported back 30 plus years.
