TV Smith: Still Saying It Right & Doing It Right
TV Smith at Rebellion Festival—Photo credit—John Greenwood
The relentless touring schedule of virtual workaholic TV Smith sees him back out on the road again in September 2026.
He will be showcasing yet another fine collection of past and present songs. The solo shows will include a smattering of songs from the new album currently being worked on. This gives everybody an extra opportunity to take in both a band show and a solo show if you are lucky enough to attend both. These shows will have contrasting set lists, it appears. I was privileged to have an incredible "sneak peek" preview of what one of our finest lyricists has been working on recently when I took in his acoustic set at the Rebellion Festival Run-Up show at the Viva in Blackpool on August 5th, 2026.
This was a truly awesome set of what we can expect from the new album: gritty, cutting, thoughtful, and inspiring, with well-chosen words to inspire us all to stand together against the money and power intent on pulling us all apart and preventing us from having any strength in unity as a community. This directly follows on from the much critically acclaimed "Handwriting" album, which was many people's album of the year in 2024.
Regarding the new album and the time of going to press, lips are remaining pretty much sealed, apart from a potential release date of early 2027. But with the full touring schedule, TV always demands a lot of him; he informed me, "I hope to get it out early next year, but I can only work on it between gigs—and there are a lot of them!!" The tentative release date may change, depending on life's variables. We will bring you further details here at In Spite Magazine when we get them. But for now, we will have to remain patient and enjoy the sneak preview of songs from the new album featured at the solo events of the TV Smith 2026 UK tour.
TV Smith at Rebellion Festival—Photo credit—John Greenwood
I am reliably informed that the September 19th TV Smith and the Bored Teenagers show at the 100 Club in London will be an exclusively The Adverts-only songs event. Which is very appropriate, going back to one of the last surviving 1977 punk venues, where it all started. I can testify through personal experience that these shows are very special; if you have not yet caught one, don't miss out on the 100 Club show in London on September 19th. No doubt, in celebration and reliving the recording of TV Smith & The Bored Teenagers—Crossing the Red Sea with The Adverts: Live at the 100 Club, London (2007), released on Boss Tuneage, if you manage to find yourself a copy.
TV Smith at Rebellion Festivals—Photo credit—John Greenwood
One show that has a personal tie to me is the tiny, intimate basement setting of Barnoldswick Music and Arts Centre. This was the small town I grew up in. I was there recently, visiting family and friends after my Atlantic Crossing to cover the 30th Anniversary of the Rebellion Festival. My wife and I got a special tour of this tiny, intimate setting as returning ex-townies, and this ex-cotton industry mill town venue is seemingly quickly gaining a reputation as a special place for artists to play. Tickets are, unsurprisingly because of the size of the venue, being hoovered up in seconds of an event almost as soon as they are going on sale. There is not much room down there in this basement, and it is all seated in what reminded me of church pews, but I can only imagine the atmosphere that it must create. You lucky people getting to see TV Smith in a venue like that would be as punk rock as it gets.
TV Smith at Rebellion Festival—Photo credit—John Greenwood
In November, there is a brief jaunt into Europe for the lucky people of Switzerland and Austria to break out the TV Smith and Adverts-style Lederhosen. Then the band returns to the UK for what looks like a killer show in December 2026 withTom Robinsonin Exeter.
Make it stand out
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Fantastic back catalogue and TV Smith/Adverts-related merch available here. [Shop]
Above all, wherever you may be, there is no excuse for not getting out and laying witness to a true punk legend and pioneer. One of our greatest ever wordsmiths, fearless in the face of the "common enemy," and with the relentless energy of an Olympic marathon runner in pursuit of his craft, not afraid to put in the hard miles that would make many others shudder and go back to their pipe and slippers in front of a comfy fire. As well as being an outstanding talent and one of the most genuine human beings we still have alive on this planet! Still saying it right and still doing it right!
TV Smith: "We Salute You!"
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