Kaiser Chiefs announce more ‘Employment’ 20th anniversary UK shows for 2026

Kaiser Chiefs have announced an extension of their ‘Employment’ 20th anniversary shows, with new dates being added for the UK. Check out the details below.

• READ MORE: Kaiser Chiefs on their ‘Employment’ 20th anniversary show: “The beard is coming off and the eyeliner is going on”

The latest announcement comes after the band embarked on some huge concerts over this summer, including a slot on the Glastonbury 2025 Pyramid Stage, a massive headline date at Alexandra Palace Park in London, a rowdy stop at Madrid’s Mad Cool Festival, and a mammoth homecoming show at Leeds’ Temple Newsam Park,

Each of the dates celebrated 20 years of their iconic debut album, ‘Employment’, which was originally released in March 2005. It has become one of the most successful debut albums from a UK band – peaking at Number Two on the UK charts, spending over 17 months on the Official Top 40, and going seven-times platinum thanks to tracks like ‘Oh My God’, ‘I Predict A Riot’, ‘Everyday I Love You Less And Less’ and ‘Modern Way’.

Now, to celebrate the success of the 2025 anniversary shows, Kaiser Chiefs have extended the run of shows to include a number of UK gigs lined-up for 2026.

These kick off in Bradford on February 13, and continue throughout the month with further stops in Manchester, Stockton, Dundee, Glasgow and London’s Eventim Apollo. Other new dates include slots in Hull, Norwich, Swansea, Bournemouth, Cambridge, and Wolverhampton.

“This summer, we played a load of shows to mark the release of our debut album ‘Employment’. It went well. Probably better than our first summer 20 years ago. It was the year after that first year that things really took off…,” said frontman Ricky Wilson.

“So we hope you will join us in February to help celebrate with us ‘the year it really took off’. If you were with us the first time, or unfortunately missed out due to other commitments, we hope you will join us for a joyous lap of honour. (Plus, I spent quite a bit on a new blazer and want to get my money’s worth)”.

Tickets go on sale on August 22 at 9am BST. Visit here to buy tickets, and find a list of new dates below.

Kaiser Chiefs’ ‘Employment’ 2026 UK dates are:

FEBRUARY
13 – Bradford, Live
14 – Manchester, O2 Victoria Warehouse
15 – Stockton, Globe
17 – Dundee, Live House
18 – Glasgow, Barrowland
20 – London, Eventim Apollo
21 – Hull, Connexin Live
23 – Norwich, UEA
24 – Swansea, Building Society Arena
26 – Bournemouth, International Centre
27 – Cambridge, Corn Exchange
28 – Wolverhampton, The Halls

‘Employment’ was named Best Album at the NME Awards 2006 – beating competition from Oasis, Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand and Babyshambles – and has sold more than 2.1million copies.

As well as playing the album in full at their latest live shows, Ricky Wilson and co. also shared details of a special reissue in May. Given that this year is typically commemorated with china, the group recently shared an ‘China Anniversary’ version of the record – pressed on white vinyl and featuring a selection of B-sides and unreleased songs.

The band also previously spoke to NME upon announcing their big ‘Employment’ gig in Leeds – where they were joined by the likes of Razorlight, The Cribs and We Are Scientists.

“We wanted to try and focus in and make it like a celebration of 2005 or 2006-ish,” said bassist Simon Rix. Wilson also teased that fans could expect “songs that we wouldn’t usually play” and some other nods to the ‘Employment’ era: “The beard’s coming off and the eyeliner is going on”.

The band’s latest record, ‘Kaiser Chiefs’ Easy Eighth Album’, was released last year. Speaking to NME last October, the singer revealed that he’d already “thought of a good title” for its follow-up. “It always starts with the title,” he said.

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