In 2007, The Enemy emerged from their working class roots in Coventry to become one of the biggest new bands around. Their debut album ‘We’ll Live And Die In These Towns’ went straight to #1 and would later be certified Platinum in recognition of over 300,000 sales. The trio would ultimately land another two Top 10 albums, two Top 10 singles, three major awards (from NME, Q and XFM), shows with The Rolling Stones, The Sex Pistols, Oasis, The Killers, Kasabian, Bon Jovi, Manic Street Preachers and Stereophonics, and even complete a special rooftop performance at Wembley Stadium ahead of the FA Cup Final.
Now as the 15th anniversary of the album’s release approaches, The Enemy announce a major UK reunion tour for 2022. The tour features the band’s original and only line-up – Tom Clarke (vocals/guitar), Andy Hopkins (bass) and Liam Watts (drums) – and represents the first chance for fans to see the band in action since they played three sold-out farewell shows in their hometown back in 2016.
The news follows Tom Clarke’s sold-out solo show at Coventry’s HMV Empire, where he invited Andy Hopkins and Liam Watts on stage. The trio then announced that they will return to the venue to perform together as The Enemy on October 28th 2022. Fans in attendance were given the chance to immediately and exclusively buy tickets for the show, via QR codes displayed throughout the venue – resulting in the gig immediately selling out.
The Enemy commented, “2022 marks the 15th anniversary of ‘We’ll Live And Die In These Towns’ and six years since we all played together. Over the last decade-and-a-half we’ve watched fans begin to really treasure those songs and we’re asked on an almost daily basis if there is any chance of the three of us getting back on stage together, so we know how much this will mean to the fans. What we weren’t expecting was quite how excited we would all be to play together again. There’s a lot of anticipation and excitement from the three of us to go out and play, just us, the songs and the fans. We really can’t wait!”
‘We’ll Live And Die In These Towns’ featured the Top 10 singles ‘Had Enough’ and ‘Away From Here’. NME’s review described it as being “blisteringly frank, frequently inspiring, consistently brilliant and, most importantly of all, the only way out they know” while also noting their “Weller-esque teeth-gnashing” and “enormous Oasis-shaped heart.”
It was followed by another two hit records: 2009’s ‘Music For The People’ (#2) and 2012’s ‘Streets In The Sky’ (#9), plus their final album‘It’s Automatic’ from 2015. They’ve continued to command a following in recent years, with tracks from ‘We’ll Live And Die…’ amassing almost 40 million streams at Spotify alone, along with strong ticket sales for Tom Clarke’s solo shows.
SEPTEMBER 2022
22nd – Leeds, O2 Academy
23rd – Newcastle, O2 City Hall
24th – Sheffield, O2 Academy
29th – Manchester, O2 Ritz
OCTOBER 2022
1st – Bristol, O2 Academy
2nd – Cardiff, Tramshed
5th – Norwich, UEA
7th – Bournemouth, O2 Academy
8th – Birmingham, O2 Academy
13th – Leicester, O2 Academy
14th – London, O2 Forum Kentish Town
20th – Liverpool, O2 Academy
21st – Glasgow, O2 Academy
22nd – Edinburgh, O2 Academy
28th – Coventry, HMV Empire (SOLD OUT)
Tickets for all shows except for Coventry go on general sale here from 10am on Friday, November 5th. The tour features special guests Little Man Tate (all shows except for Sheffield, Cardiff and Norwich) and Wide Eyed Boy.
