ENTER SHIKARI UNVEIL SURPRISE NEW SINGLE
Credit: Kate Hook
Enter Shikari have made a surprise return today with the release of their resolute and inherently optimistic new single, ‘HIGHER GROUND’. Arriving without any prior warning or promotional teasers, the track serves as the band's first drop of original material following their out-of-the-blue album release in April. ‘HIGHER GROUND’ is available to stream across all major platforms. Listen HERE.
Reflecting on the underlying message of the fresh release, frontman Rou Reynolds provided insight into its creative birth:
"Our music has often been about zooming out. Looking at the bigger picture on things gives us perspective, clarity, and often a strange calm in today’s relentless and difficult times. HIGHER GROUND is about just how pivotal taking the broad perspective is. Whether in our personal lives or when looking at the biggest problems that humanity faces, we often gain clarity and see connections that were previously hidden when we find time to zoom out. The track was written during the recording sessions for Lose Your Self but felt like its own entity so was parked and finished off slowly over spring and summer this year."
Ahead of their massive November arena circuit, the four-piece recently announced two intimate warm-up gigs scheduled for later this month. Heading to Oxford's O2 Academy on October 21st and Leicester's O2 Academy on October 22nd, these completely sold-out shows mark the group's first stage performances since playing Tokyo back in May. They also mark their first live appearances since the band sent shockwaves through their fanbase last week by sharing an official statement on Instagram announcing an upcoming indefinite hiatus.
The upcoming headline tour across the UK and Europe stands as Enter Shikari's largest arena run to date. Launching on November 3rd at Hamburg's Sporthalle, the European stint highlights their biggest-ever headline fixture in Germany at Düsseldorf's 7,500-capacity Mitsubishi Electric Halle. From there, the band transitions to the UK starting November 13th at Nottingham's Motorpoint Arena, visiting arenas in Cardiff, Hull, Glasgow, and Manchester. The tour culminates in London with back-to-back nights at Alexandra Palace on November 20th and 21st, with the final date officially sold out. Support across both legs will be provided by Holding Absence and The Callous Daoboys.
In continuation of an initiative close to their hearts, every ticket sold for the UK arena dates includes a £1 donation dedicated directly to the Music Venue Trust to support struggling grassroots venues. Enter Shikari were pioneers of this model during their 2024 arena tour, creating a blueprint that major touring acts such as Coldplay and Sam Fender have since adopted.
This latest single builds upon the momentum of Lose Your Self, the 12-track surprise album released via So Recordings back in April. Lyrically exploring themes of widespread despair, social futility, and world turmoil paired with underlying threads of hope, the record was released without any advance press. While surprise drops are a familiar tactic for global pop icons like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Justin Bieber, Enter Shikari accomplished the rare feat of delivering Lose Your Self simultaneously across both digital platforms and physical formats on release day.
The November tour serves as their first arena run since 2024's A Kiss For The Whole World tour, which celebrated the album of the same name securing the group their first UK No. 1 on the Official Charts alongside six previous Top 10 entries. That campaign was anchored by a milestone debut at Wembley Arena, captured on the live release Live At Wembley. Available on digital platforms and as a hyper-limited vinyl release across just four record shops globally, the concert film notable features full-length footage captured by an FPV drone flown live inside Wembley Arena.
Over a storied career spanning more than 3,000 live performances globally, Enter Shikari have accumulated numerous honors from Kerrang!, NME, Rock Sound, and the Heavy Music Awards. Alongside three headline UK arena tours, their live portfolio includes supporting giants like Linkin Park and The Prodigy, as well as high-profile festival slots at Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds, Download, and Slam Dunk.
See Enter Shikari live:
21.10 - O2 Academy, Oxford - SOLD OUT
22.10 - O2 Academy, Leicester - SOLD OUT
3.11 - Sporthalle, Hamburg
4.11 - Zenith, Munich
5.11 - Hause Auensee, Leipzig
6.11 - Mitsubishi Electric Halle, Düsseldorf
7.11 - Columbiahalle, Berlin
9.11 - Ancienne Belgique, Brussels
10.11 - La Laiterie, Strasbourg
11.11 - 013 Poppodium, Tilburg
13.11 - Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
14.11 - Utilita Arena, Cardiff
15.11 - Connexin Live, Hull
18.11 - Hydro, Glasgow
19.11 - Co-op Live, Manchester
20.11 - Alexandra Palace, London
21.11 - Alexandra Palace, London - SOLD OUT
2.12 - The Telegraph Building, Belfast
3.12 - The Academy, Dublin
4.12 - The Academy, Dublin
