The Format to drop a new record in 2026.
Carlo Cavaluzzi
After a run of sold-out reunion shows this past fall, Phoenix’s The Format will be returning to their original format– acoustic guitars and the duo’s voices. A limited run of December shows will donate some proceeds to charitable organizations.
“Because of the time of year, we wanted to use these shows as a way to give back, so we’ll be donating $5 from every ticket to a local food bank in each city,” said Nate Ruess, one half of the duo, in a press release. “In Tucson, those funds will instead go to The Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project, which provides free legal and social services to immigrants facing detention and deportation.”
The announcement for the shows comes along with the drop of a new song, “Shot in the Dark.” The song is a preview of the first album in nearly 20 years, “Boycott Heaven,” due to release on January 23, 2026, before the tour kicks off in March.
With some downtime between the release and the Spring North America tour, the Phoenix natives will bring their old-school indie pop to four select stages for their eagerly awaiting loyal fan base.
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Nate Ruess, left, and Sam Means of The Format.
The short run of acoustic shows will kick off on December 9 in one of the band’s all-time favorite cities to play, Rochester, New York. Then head to Cleveland, Ohio, to play on December 10, before heading to a special matinee show in St. Paul, Minnesota, on December 13.
“After that, we’re wrapping up with a ‘home-state’ holiday show in Tucson on December 15th,” Nate Ruess said in a press release.
The band is partnering with food banks in each city hosting one of the intimate acoustic duo shows. Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations to each show, which will be given to help support hunger relief programs during the holiday season, along with the $5 donation form of ticket sales.
“For us, these shows are about making it a little easier for anyone who’s wanted to see us live, while also doing some good along the way,” says Nate Ruess in a press release. “And honestly, I’ve missed those old acoustic Format shows we used to do- low risk, high reward.”
The Boycott Heaven tour, beginning on March 26 in Boston, Massachusetts, and running through April 19 in San Diego, California, will also keep up the commitment to supporting organizations that fight food insecurity. The band will donate $1 from each ticket to food banks and charities that help fund local animal shelters.
Tickets for all shows are on sale now.