Their comeback was hugely emotional, now they’ve announced new dates for 2026 sending their die-hard fans into a frenzyManchester band Puressence announce new gigs for 2026(Image: Puressence)

Manchester indie legends Puressence have sent their fans into a frenzy after announcing new dates – and a statement that they “are officially back together”.

The band, first formed in Failsworth 35 years ago, returned for a hugely emotional and triumphant Manchester homecoming comeback at Albert Hall in June 2024.

It was the first time the band had performed together in 13 years.

Now, James Mudriczki, Kevin Matthews, Lowell Killen and Anthony Szuminski have confirmed two new shows for 2026 – to the delight of their diehard fans.

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They will play two headline shows in 2026 – at London’s Islington Assembly Hall on Saturday 25 April 2026, and a hometown return to Manchester’s Academy 1 on Saturday 02 May 2026.

The band teased the news on their official social media pages at the weekend with the words: “This is only the beginning.”

Adding: “We can’t wait to see you again”.

Fans flocked to the comments with their delight at the news, with @shayster57 saying: “The greatest news you could possibly share with us”.

Puressence played their reunion gig at Albert Hall in June 2024(Image: MEN)

Liam Pennington wrote: “Great to see – truly beautiful band which played a huge part in my lifes journey! I’m sure this news will excite a lot of people.”

Katie.Cat.1983 added: “GREATEST. BAND. IN. THE. UNIVERSE.”

Watching the band play live is describes as “incomparable” with the emotion of the music echoed through the support and commitment of their dedicated fanbase.

The band first formed after meeting on a bus heading to watch the Stone Roses at the iconic Spike Island gig in 1990.

They were peers of Oasis, performing in the same space at the iconic Boardwalk in Manchester back in the early 90s, with Liam Gallagher recently recalling on social media how he’d cheekily “turn their lights off then run off” at the same rehearsal rooms.

He added: “Good lads, I’m glad they’re still going.”

Puressence would go on to sign a major record deal with Island Records, and their biggest chart hit came in 1996 with This Feeling. They released six albums, before splitting in 2013.

The announcement of their comeback in earlier 2024 delighted fans – although was almost derailed when frontman James Mudrickzi suffered a brain heamorrhage just months before their scheduled return.

Miraculously, he battled back from the brink to be able to make the stage in June 2024 to play a widely acclaimed gig to a sold out crowd at Manchester’s Albert Hall, that fans described as “goosebumps” and “spine-tingling”.

In a statement released on Monday to announce the new gigs, it said that Puressence are “reignited and ready to welcome their fans back once again with two shows across the UK.”

Tickets for the newly-announced gigs will go on sale from Friday September 5 at 10am.

Puressence gigs 2026

Sat 25 Apr 2026 London Islington Assembly Hall

Sat 02 May 2026 Manchester Academy 1

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