Dave Sweetmore's Blog - 3rd April 2025

It's 42 years since Inspiral Carpets burst onto the music scene in 1983, and since then they've become a British Institution, a band whose name will be forever brought up when the 'Indie' and 'Madchester' genres are mentioned.

Over the years they have released 25 singles, five studio albums, eight EPs, and numerous compilation albums, alongside selling out tours, headlining festivals, and will forever be known as an influential Great British band. The band's hit singles which have become anthems, such as 'Saturn 5', 'Joe', 'This Is How It Feels', 'She Comes In The Fall', 'Dragging Me Down', 'I Want You', and 'Move' are timeless songs which sound as good now as they did when released. Following the death of original drummer Craig Gill in 2016, it seemed like the band were over. But in 2023 an announcement came informing fans of the band's plans to reform, with the Gill families blessing, and a new drummer who would be Kev Clark. The decision was greeted with nothing but love from fans, with much loved founding member Clint Boon quoting 'When we made the decision to get the Inspirals back on the road, none of us could have imagined the incredible reception we would get, not just in the UK, but in all the other countries we were lucky to visit. It’s heart-warming to know that our music still resonates with people of all ages after all these years.’ Following the announcement, the band played over 50 sold out shows and festival slots with one of the highlights being at the homecoming gig in Manchester's Albert Hall where Craig Gill's son Levon Gill drummed on the song ‘Commercial Rain’ during the encore. It was a special moment which will be remembered forever and live in the hearts of everybody who was there that night. Fast forward to 2025, and last month it was announced that the band, consisting of original members guitarist Graham Lambert, keyboard player Clint Boon, bass player Martyn Walsh, and singer Stephen Holt (who was with the band until 1989 and rejoined in 2011), alongside drummer Kev Clark, will be on tour later this year, with rumours of new music in the pipeline. It's so good to see one of Greater Manchester's best loved bands out on the road, and with tickets now on sale for all dates, I'd advise getting them bought soon, as another sell out tour is no doubt on its way. Tickets for all dates are on sale at inspiralcarpets.com, and the band will be playing the following dates. 

November 2025 - Thurs 20th Newcastle Boiler Shop, Fri 21st Nottingham Rock City, Sat 22nd Northampton Roadmender, Sun 23rd Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms, Thurs 27th Edinburgh Liquid Room, Fri 28th Glasgow St Lukes, Sat 29th Aberdeen Lemon Tree, Sun 30th Dundee The Church. December 2025 -Thurs 4th Sheffield Foundry, Fri 5th Warrington Parr Hall, Sat 6th Birmingham O2 institute, Sun 7th Margate Dreamland, Wed 10th Cambridge Junction, Thurs 11th London O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Fri 12th Leeds O2 academy, Sat 13th Manchester Albert Hall