Jack White Announces UK and Ireland Tour with Belfast Telegraph Building Date
Rock icon Jack White has announced a major 2026 headline tour that includes a string of UK and Ireland dates, with Belfast's Telegraph Building among the confirmed venues. Ticket presales began on Monday 13 April, with general sale opening on Friday 17 April — and demand is expected to be fierce for one of the most anticipated live music events of the year.
The tour announcement follows the release of two new singles — "Derecho Demónico" and "G.O.D. and the Broken Ribs" — White's first new music since his 2024 album No Name, which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Album. The shows will enforce a phone-free policy to encourage a more immersive concert experience, a hallmark of White's live performances in recent years.
Background
Jack White is one of the most significant figures in rock music of the past quarter century. His career began in the Detroit underground scene before he achieved international fame alongside Meg White in The White Stripes, the iconic duo whose six studio albums — including White Blood Cells (2001) and Elephant (2003) — produced enduring anthems like "Seven Nation Army," now one of the most recognisable riffs in popular music.
Beyond The White Stripes, White has maintained a remarkable creative output through The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather, and a prolific solo career that has produced albums including Blunderbuss (2012), Lazaretto (2014), and the experimental Boarding House Reach (2018). He is also the founder of Third Man Records, a Nashville-based independent label known for its innovative vinyl releases and commitment to analogue recording.
His 2024 album No Name was initially surprise-released as an unlabelled vinyl given to customers at Third Man Records stores before a wider digital release — a characteristically unconventional move that generated significant buzz and earned widespread critical acclaim for its raw, garage-rock sound reminiscent of his early White Stripes work.
Key Developments
The UK and Ireland leg of the tour is concentrated in late August and early September. White will play two nights at the Eventim Apollo in London on 25 and 26 August, followed by Bristol's Prospect Building on 28 August and Newcastle's O2 City Hall on 29 August. He will then cross to Northern Ireland for a show at Belfast's Telegraph Building on 31 August, before wrapping up with two nights at Dublin's 3Olympia Theatre on 1 and 2 September.
White debuted the new tracks during his sixth appearance on Saturday Night Live and performed them on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where he also recited an original poem. He made a surprise appearance at Coachella on 11 April, performing in the Mojave Tent to a rapturous reception — a reminder of his enduring status as one of live music's most compelling performers.
The tour is expected to feature extended setlists drawing on White's extensive back catalogue, spanning his work with The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather, and his solo career. True to form, setlists are never repeated — a commitment that makes each show a unique event.
Why It Matters
Jack White's decision to include Belfast on his 2026 tour is a significant vote of confidence in the city's growing status as a major live music destination. For fans across Northern Ireland and the border counties, the Telegraph Building date removes the need to travel to Dublin or London to see one of rock music's genuine originals. White's live shows are renowned for their intensity, spontaneity, and musicianship — experiences that are qualitatively different from the arena spectacles that dominate the mainstream touring circuit.
Local Impact
Belfast's inclusion on the tour reflects the city's designation as a UNESCO City of Music in 2021 — a prestigious title that recognises Belfast's rich musical heritage, spanning traditional Irish music, punk, rock, and electronic genres, and its production of legendary artists including Van Morrison and Stiff Little Fingers. The designation has been accompanied by investment in venues, festivals, and artist development, and major international artists have increasingly included Belfast on their touring schedules as a result. The Telegraph Building, a striking venue in the heart of the city, has established itself as one of the most sought-after mid-capacity spaces in Ireland, and a Jack White show there will further cement its reputation.
What's Next
General sale tickets went on sale on Friday 17 April through Ticketmaster and other authorised outlets. Given White's reputation and the relatively intimate capacity of the Telegraph Building compared to arena venues, the Belfast date is expected to sell out quickly. Fans who miss out on the general sale are advised to check official resale channels. The full tour runs through the summer and autumn of 2026, with North American dates also confirmed.
Sources: NME | Belfast City Council — UNESCO City of Music
