VENUE O2 ACADEMY BRIXTON, LONDON DATE 31/10/2025 ...

A 12-year gap between albums would see most bands lose fans and momentum. But progmetallers Karnivool tell us they’re back to reclaim their crown – if they don’t die on stage first.

Long-awaited returns, new albums and tours, festival headliners, fresh faces… here are just 26 reasons to be cheerful in 2026.

BUSH / WITCH FEVER

The tour hasn’t even happened yet, but if 2025 is remembered for one thing, it most likely will be Rush announcing they were going back out on the road, with German drummer Anika Nilles, for their R50 shows.

Steeleye Span have had a shifting line-up over ...