London O2 Arena

BOWLERS EXHIBITION CENTRE, MANCHESTER

We’re nine songs into a dramatic, blistering set when, midway through Telekon’s touching Please Push No More, a clearly distressed Gary Numan suddenly steps back from the microphone, in tears. Turning

Buckle up because 2026 is shaping up to be one helluva ride. We take a look into the prog crystal ball and find out what live releases, reissues and shows are expected in the next 12 months.

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.

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