James Blake is set to embark on a UK and European tour this fall, supporting his newly released seventh studio album, Trying Times. The tour will kick off on September 29th at the O2 Academy Brixton in London, following a North American run that includes sold-out performances in New York and Toronto. The announcement comes as the Grammy-winning artist continues to garner critical acclaim for his latest work, which explores themes of connection and isolation in a rapidly changing world.
Tickets for the European leg of the “Trying Times Tour” go on sale this Friday, March 20th, at 10:00 AM local time via Metropolismusic.com. An O2 Priority sale will precede the general release, beginning on Wednesday, March 18th, at 10:00 AM for O2 and Virgin Media customers through the O2 app. The album, released on March 13th via his independent label Good Boy Records, features the singles “Death of Love” and “I Had a Dream She Took My Hand,” and collaborations with Dave and Monica Martin.
‘Trying Times’ Album and Tour Dates
Trying Times marks a significant moment in Blake’s career as his first album released as an independent artist, following his departure from Republic Records in 2024. The album has been described as a searching and introspective work, navigating the complexities of modern life and the challenges of maintaining meaningful connections. Critics have noted the album’s blend of electronic soundscapes and Blake’s signature emotive vocals, creating a compelling and often melancholic atmosphere.
The full list of tour dates is as follows:
- Wed 27/05/26 – Atlanta, GA – The Tabernacle
- Fri 29/05/26 – New York, NY – Brooklyn Paramount
- Sat 30/05/26 – New York, NY – Brooklyn Paramount
- Sun 31/05/26 – Boston, MA – Roadrunner
- Tue 02/06/26 – Washington, DC – The Anthem
- Thu 04/06/26 – Philadelphia, PA – Franklin Music Hall
- Sat 06/06/26 – Toronto, ON – HISTORY
- Mon 08/06/26 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed
- Tue 29/09/26 – London, UK – O2 Academy Brixton
- Mon 05/10/26 – Utrecht, NL – TivoliVredenburg
- Thu 08/10/26 – Brussels, BE – Cirque Royal
- Mon 12/10/26 – Paris, FR – Le Grand Rex
- Thu 15/10/26 – Berlin, DE – Astra Kulturhaus
- Sun 18/10/26 – Cologne, DE – E-Werk
- Wed 21/10/26 – Glasgow, UK – SWG3 Galvanizers
- Sun 25/10/26 – Manchester, UK – New Century
- Wed 28/10/26 – Bristol, UK – O2 Academy Bristol
- Thu 06/11/26 – Berkeley, CA – Greek Theatre
- Fri 12/06/26 – Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre
A Career Defined by Innovation and Collaboration
James Blake has established himself as a pivotal figure in contemporary music, blending elements of soul, electronica, hip-hop, and R&B. His discography boasts over 2.2 billion streams, and his 2019 album, Assume Form, featuring ROSALÍA and Travis Scott, received widespread praise. He followed that success with 2021’s Friends That Break Your Heart, which marked his highest chart debut to date. Blake’s influence extends beyond his solo work, having collaborated with a diverse range of artists including Beyoncé, Frank Ocean, SZA, Kendrick Lamar, and more, contributing to critically acclaimed albums like Blonde, DAMN., and Lemonade.
Most recently, Blake collaborated with UK rapper Dave on his album ‘The Boy Who Played The Harp’ and contributed to the soundtrack of Ryan Coogler’s Sinners with a track called ‘Séance’ alongside Ludwig Göransson.
The release of Trying Times and the subsequent tour signal a new chapter for Blake, one characterized by artistic independence and a continued exploration of complex emotional landscapes. Fans can listen to Trying Times here and watch the official video here.
As Blake prepares to take Trying Times on the road, the tour promises to be a compelling showcase of his innovative sound and introspective songwriting. The next confirmed step will be the album’s performance live, offering audiences a deeper connection to the themes and emotions woven throughout the record.
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