{"id":700026,"date":"2026-01-16T14:08:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T14:08:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/700026\/"},"modified":"2026-01-16T14:08:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T14:08:10","slug":"status-quo-co-founder-and-frontman-francis-rossi-announces-london-event-to-promote-release-of-the-accidental-album","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/700026\/","title":{"rendered":"STATUS QUO Co-Founder And Frontman FRANCIS ROSSI Announces London Event To Promote Release Of ‘The Accidental’ Album"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Sunday, February 1, Francis Rossi<\/b> will appear at an exclusive event at the Union Chapel in London, United Kingdom to mark the release of his album “The Accidental”<\/b>, which is out on January 30 via earMUSIC<\/b>. The event will feature a full album playback, and be followed by a question-and-answer session hosted by Will Hodgkinson<\/b> of The Times<\/b>. Ticket and vinyl album bundles are available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Always outspoken, Rossi<\/b> will talk about his incredible career, the highs and lows, and discuss the journey that has led him to here and now, and this new album.<\/p>\n

The record is already garnering great reviews, with Mojo<\/b> saying, “‘The Accidental’<\/b> reinforces his reputation as a pop songwriter\u2026 diehards\u2026 will find much to savor here”. Classic Rock<\/b> agreed, writing, “Fans will find much to enjoy.. and tucked away towards the end, ‘Beautiful World’<\/b>, six minutes of glorious old-school QUO<\/b>“. Powerplay<\/b> said simply, “An album of consistently great songs”.<\/p>\n

Francis<\/b> kicked off 2026 in emphatic style with two brand-new songs from the album, “Push Comes To Shove”<\/b> and “November Again”<\/b>, released last week as a digital double single.<\/p>\n

Sunday, February 1, 2026 at Union Chapel in London<\/p>\n

Schedule:<\/p>\n

18:00 – Doors
18:30 – Album Playback
19:30 – Interval
20:00 – Francis Rossi<\/b><\/p>\n

“The Accidental”<\/b>, due via earMUSIC<\/b> on CD, LP and digital formats, comes as something of a surprise. It was certainly a surprise to Francis<\/b>, who had no plans to record an album. “This truly came out of nowhere,” says Rossi<\/b>. “I spend my life in and out of the studio, rehearsing, tinkering, but something happened earlier this year and, before I knew it, we had created something special.”<\/p>\n

While Rossi<\/b>‘s previous solo albums explored his love for acoustic ballads, vocal harmonies, and the blend of British rock with country influences, this album, his first in seven years, marks a true return to the energetic, guitar-driven sound that made him a legend with STATUS QUO<\/b>.<\/p>\n

“The Accidental”<\/b> sees Rossi<\/b> playing to his strengths, but taking risks, cutting loose, and exploring new territory. This album is all about old bones and fresh blood.<\/p>\n

The fresh blood in question comes largely from Hiran Ilangantilike<\/b>, a guitarist who was originally a school friend of one of Francis<\/b>‘s children, and co-producer Andy Brook<\/b>. What became the sessions for “The Accidental”<\/b> was initially born of just plugging in and making some serious noise, but something clicked in the studio. Lightning was indeed bottled: There was a swing and a groove, and the songs started pouring out. With John “Rhino” Edwards<\/b> and Leon Cave<\/b> later laying down the bass and drums parts, and Amy Smith<\/b> again bringing an extra dimension on back-up vocals, this became a project with a bite and DNA all of its own; albeit Francis<\/b>‘s playing is a distinctive as ever. Almost all of the songwriting credits reflect this fresh and collaborative ethos, though there are two that bear the classic QUO<\/b> hallmark: Rossi<\/b>\/Young<\/b>. Rossi<\/b> produced “The Accidental”<\/b>; co-producer Andy Brook<\/b> recorded, mastered, engineered, and played on the record, and co-wrote three tracks.<\/p>\n

Kicking off with a flourish “Much Better”<\/b> segues into the ebullient “Go Man Go”<\/b>, teeing up future classic “Push Comes To Shove”<\/b> and the plaintive yet strutting blues singalong of “Back On Our Home Ground”<\/b> (who will be the first sports team to adopt this one?). By then the engine is well and truly running, and the highlights keep coming. The chug and chant and choppy chords of “Something In The Air (Stormy Weather)”<\/b> give way to the cantering “Picture Perfect”<\/b>, which could only be a Rossi<\/b> number. The long strides of “November Again”<\/b> distill a melancholy refrain into a catchy chorus, and the epic “Beautiful World”<\/b> channels vintage-era QUO<\/b> with enough guitar to get the balcony of the Glasgow Apollo bouncing again. “Time To Remember”<\/b> is built around a piano line and swaying melody and serves as a poignant and powerful coda to an extraordinarily strong set of new songs.<\/p>\n

“For anyone who liked any of my solo albums previously, well, I’ve no idea what you’ll make of this one because it’s a real departure, but I love it,” Rossi<\/b> says. “It’s loud, the guitars are right to the fore, and there are some great songs there.”<\/p>\n

This new album finds Rossi<\/b> once more at the top of his game, with a searing yet thoughtful collection of rockers that will please anyone who likes their dose of heavy cut with melody and verve. Mark Twain<\/b> said that the accident is “the greatest of all inventors” when there are no rules, expectations or preconceptions, anything can \u2014 and will \u2014 happen. “The Accidental”<\/b> proves that amazing things unfold when an artist with an unrivaled track record is inspired to create new music \u2014 even after more than 50 years of success \u2014 by the sheer love of playing. That unbridled joy is where the elemental magic that animates “The Accidental”<\/b> is conjured.<\/p>\n

“The Accidental”<\/b> track listing:<\/p>\n

01. Much Better<\/b>
02. Go Man Go<\/b>
03. Push Comes To Shove<\/b>
04. Back On Our Home Ground<\/b>
05. Dead Of Night<\/b>
06. Going Home<\/b>
07. Bye My Love<\/b>
08. Something In The Air (Stormy Weather)<\/b>
09. Picture Perfect<\/b>
10. November Again<\/b>
11. Things Will Get Better<\/b>
12. Oh So Good<\/b>
13. Beautiful World<\/b>
14. Time To Remember<\/b><\/p>\n

Photo credit: James Eckersley<\/b> (courtesy of Chris Hewlett PR<\/b>)<\/p>\n

\n

Francis Rossi \u2013 \u2018The Accidental\u2019
Exclusive Album Q&A | Sunday 1st February<\/p>\n

To mark the release of his new album \u2018The…<\/p>\n

Posted by Francis Rossi<\/a> on\u00a0Friday, January 9, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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