¡Forward, Russia! to reunite for anniversary shows
Leeds four-piece ¡Forward, Russia! have announced a special run of shows to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut album, Give Me A Wall.
The reunion shows will see the band return to the stage for the first time in over twelve years to perform Give Me A Wall in full. In February 2027, they are set to play Glasgow's King Tuts Wah Wah Hut (6 February), London’s Oslo (12 February), and two hometown shows at Leeds' Brudenell Social Club (19 and 20 February).
A 20th anniversary edition of the album will also be released on vinyl for the first time since its original release on 2 October 2026 via Launchpad+ and EMI North. They're also set to release a new rarities compilation, A Fearless Guide to Communication, which will be available on CD with some tracks to be made available on streaming services.
Reflecting on their debut album and the reunion, vocalist Tom Woodhead says, “Between July 2005 and the end of 2006 ¡Forward, Russia! played 268 gigs. In amongst the motorways, feedback and fatigue we somehow carved out the time to record and release Give Me a Wall. When you’re adhering to that kind of schedule there isn’t much space for reflection, but twenty years later I think we’ve finally gained some perspective and can appreciate GMAW for the youthful and uninhibited document it is.
"My hope is that these upcoming shows will be every bit as intense as they were back in the day, for both band and audience, and that we can celebrate together: those who were around in 2006 and those who missed out. I promise you we’ll be giving it everything, even if my ageing tegument isn’t quite as neoteric as it used to be.”
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