Key facts: Little Angels Ultra-rare Big, Bad & Back UK Tour (Nov 2026) • Original lineup • London O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire SOLD OUT • Extra dates added (including a second London night) • Special guest: Luke Morley (Thunder)
Little Angels are returning to the stage for an ultra-rare run of UK dates in November 2026, and the demand has already been loud enough to sell out London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire and force extra shows.
In this MetalTalk Podcast, Little Angels frontman Toby Jepson explains why the reunion is happening now, why it feels fundamentally different to 2012, and what the band is doing to make sure the Big, Bad & Back shows live up to the legacy.
1) Why now? “The planets have all aligned.”
Jepson describes the lead-up to this reunion as a long stretch of near-misses – schedules clashing, life events getting in the way, and the practical reality that five people with busy careers and families are not easy to line up. Then, suddenly, the obstacles cleared. The band looked at the next couple of years, saw openings, and decided to hit the green button.
“Weirdly, the planets have all aligned… it just seemed to be the right time.”
2) What’s different from 2012: less “survival”, more strategy
The 2012 return carried heavy emotion. It was shaped by the death of drummer Michael Lee, and the priority was simple: get back in a room, reconnect, and prove the songs still worked onstage. For 2026, the intention is clearer – rehearse properly, tighten the show, and build something that can extend beyond one run of dates.
“2012 felt… very emotional. This time around, it feels different. It feels a lot more solid.”
3) Herding cats with a fork: the logistics are real
Even before the first rehearsal, you can hear the organisational puzzle: Bruce Dickinson now lives in the Shetland Islands, Mark Plunkett splits time between Thailand and the UK, and Mark Richardson is still in Skunk Anansie. Jepson himself is juggling film projects. The plan is to carve out several big rehearsal blocks through the year – long enough to build a show that looks and sounds like Little Angels in 2026, not a tribute to 1992.
“It’s like trying to juggle treacle… we’re determined to put a bomb ass show together.”
4) Fans first – and ticket demand proved it
One of the strongest themes across both interviews is gratitude, and a very specific view of the artist-audience relationship. Jepson talks about fans “honouring” the band with their presence – and watching the ticket sales climb reminded him how deep that connection still runs. For a band that split 32 years ago, the loyalty hasn’t drifted. It’s simply waited.
“The fans honoured us with their presence. It’s not the other way around.”
5) Why the songs hit differently now
Jepson reflects on what time does to meaning. Fans first connected with Little Angels for immediacy and energy – but as people move through real life, the same lyrics can land harder (or warmer) in unexpected ways. He also points to honesty as the band’s foundation: writing from lived experience, speaking the language of the audience, and refusing to chase what was considered “cool” in the press at the time.
6) Not a one-and-done: festivals, future plans, and the question of new music
The band is already thinking beyond November. Jepson says offers are coming in, including festivals across Europe, and the conversations have turned toward the medium to long term. New music is on the table, but he stresses that it has to feel like Little Angels – optimistic, human, and true to who they are now.
“How do we preserve what Little Angels means to the audience… and bring it into the now?”
Big, Bad & Back UK Tour – November 2026 (with special guest Luke Morley)
Tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster. For more information, visit the band’s official channels.
Date City Venue
12 Nov Glasgow O2 Academy
13 Nov Manchester O2 Ritz
14 Nov Leeds O2 Academy
16 Nov Norwich The Nick Rayns LCR, UEA
17 Nov Newcastle O2 City Hall (Extra Date)
19 Nov Oxford O2 Academy
20 Nov Nottingham Rock City
21 Nov Wolverhampton KK’s Steel Mill
23 Nov Cardiff Depot (Extra Date)
24 Nov Liverpool O2 Academy
26 Nov Bristol O2 Academy
27 Nov Bournemouth O2 Academy
28 Nov London O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire (SOLD OUT)
29 Nov London O2 Forum Kentish Town (Extra Date)
Episode takeaway
This reunion is not being sold as nostalgia. Jepson’s message is that the band wants to earn the moment: rehearse hard, respect the people who kept the flame alive, and deliver a show that still feels alive – not preserved in amber. If the early ticket demand is any measure, the audience is ready.
If you’re coming to a date, let us know which one – and what Little Angels song you need to hear in the set.