Jack Whitehall announces Swansea date on huge 2027 arena tour

Whitehall, who returns as BRIT Awards host in 2026, is heading back on the road for the first time in years. The new tour promises sharp new material, chaotic stories and the mischievous energy that’s made him one of the UK’s biggest comedy names.

He said he was ready to get back in front of crowds after a hectic few years: “Toddlers, planning a wedding – it’s been a busy few years for me, life‑wise, so I think it’s high time I got back onstage and vented to my fans. I can’t wait to hit the road again.”

Tickets go on general sale at 10am on Friday 20 February via jackwhitehall.com, with a pre‑sale opening at 10am on Wednesday 18 February for fans who sign up in advance.

The Swansea date sits in the middle of a major UK arena run that includes Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, Cardiff and a night at London’s O2. His last tours sold out arenas across the country and later became Netflix specials.

Whitehall has been busy on screen too, starring in Prime Video thriller Malice, fronting Peacock comedy The Burbs and preparing to host the BRITs again next year. His travel series Travels With My Father and his stand‑up specials have made him a familiar face to millions.

Bad Influence marks his first full arena tour since 2025 and is expected to be one of the fastest‑selling comedy shows of 2027 — with Swansea fans among the first to see it.

Swansea arena nears million milestone as star acts line up

Packed crowds and star power

Figures released this week show the arena has already drawn over 245,000 visits in 2025 alone, with audiences flocking to see the likes of the Manic Street Preachers, Wet Wet Wet, John Bishop, Riverdance and even a nostalgic night with The Fast Show.

The venue, developed by Swansea Council and part‑funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal, is run by ATG Entertainment. As well as concerts, it has become a hub for conferences, banquets, graduations and creative learning events.

What’s next

The line‑up for 2026 is already turning heads. Kaiser Chiefs, 10cc and Russell Howard are all booked, while UB40 and Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals will bring more variety to the stage.

But the biggest buzz surrounds Mamma Mia, which lands in January with 15 performances and the highest predicted ticket sales for any single show at the arena to date. Fans of Gavin & Stacey will also get their fix when James Corden and Ruth Jones appear in When Gavin Met Stacey, sharing behind‑the‑scenes secrets from Barry Island to Billericay.

Civic pride

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said:

“The Swansea Building Society Arena has quickly established itself as one of the city’s most significant cultural and economic assets. Since opening, it has played a vital role in transforming the Copr Bay district into a vibrant destination, drawing audiences from across Wales and beyond.”

He added that the arena has strengthened Swansea’s reputation as a home for major touring acts while also providing a platform for local artists and community events.

Venue director’s view

Matt Blackhouse, Venue Director, said:

“Since joining the arena team in June this year, it’s been great to see the variety of shows and events we’ve hosted — from three sold‑out nights with Bob Dylan to multi‑day conferences and banquets for over 600 people. With plenty more acts still to be announced, we’re excited to continue bringing top class entertainment to the region and putting Swansea firmly on the map.”

From opening night to cultural hub

Since its launch in March 2022, the arena has been hailed as a catalyst for Copr Bay’s regeneration, shortlisted for architecture awards and praised as a test bed for digital innovation. With visitor numbers now closing in on the million mark, the venue is proving to be both a cultural powerhouse and an economic boost for the city.

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#ATG #CllrRobStewart #comedy #concerts #Conferences #CoprBay #KaiserChiefs #MammaMia #ManicStreetPreachers #Music #RussellHoward #Swansea #SwanseaArena #SwanseaBuildingSocietyArena #UB40 #WetWetWet

Squeeze set for Swansea Arena date on 2026 UK tour – with Billy Bragg joining the bill

The band, founded in 1973 by Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, will play the Swansea Building Society Arena on Monday 30 November 2026 as part of their 16‑date Tried, Tested and Trixies Tour.

The show comes hot on the heels of their new album Trixies, due out in March 2026, and promises a set packed with classics like Up The Junction, Tempted, Cool For Cats and Labelled With Love.

Arena debut for Squeeze

The Swansea date marks one of several arena debuts for the band, who will also headline London’s O2 Arena for the first time. Tilbrook said:

“The reaction to the 50th anniversary tour in 2024 was amazing. We have never sounded better and it feels really special to be looking forward to playing the biggest headline shows of our career. And having Billy Bragg on the same bill, what’s not to love!”

Difford added:

“It’s going to be amazing to show off songs from our album Trixies and, of course, all the hits and some surprises. I’m also excited that Billy Bragg will be joining us for all the shows.”

Supporting grassroots and tackling poverty

As with previous tours, Squeeze will use their shows to support good causes. Fans attending Swansea Arena are invited to bring food donations for the Trussell Trust, which runs food banks across the UK. Collection points and buckets will be available inside the venue.

In addition, £1 from every ticket sold will go to support grassroots music venues, artists and promoters. Tilbrook has recently become a patron of the Music Venue Trust, saying:

“The grassroots is where it all starts for so many musicians and where local communities can access affordable and exciting live music. We need to protect these venues and nurture the artists so that our great culture can thrive for generations to come.”

Tickets and album release

• Tickets go on general sale Friday 28 November 2025 at 9.30am via bio.to/SQUEEZE.
• New album Trixies is released on 6 March 2026 via BMG.

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#billyBragg #chrisDifford #glennTilbrook #music #musicVenueTrust #squeeze #swanseaArena #swanseaBuildingSocietyArena #trussellTrust

Bob Dylan expert to host Swansea talks as legend’s arena shows sell out

Talks at Elysium Gallery and Dylan Thomas Centre

Author and cultural commentator Chris Gregory will host two book presentations in Swansea:

• Sunday 9 November, 2pm – Elysium Gallery
• Wednesday 12 November, 2.30pm – Dylan Thomas Centre

The events coincide with Dylan’s Rough and Rowdy Ways world tour, which includes three nights at the Swansea Building Society Arena from 9–11 November.

New book explores Dylan’s metamorphoses

Gregory’s latest work, Minstrel Boy: The Metamorphoses of Bob Dylan, is the second volume in his ambitious Picasso of Song trilogy. Released in October 2025, the book examines Dylan’s creative journey between 1967 and 1990 — a period marked by retreat, resurgence and rebirth.

The study explores Dylan’s influences from folk, blues, country, gospel and rock and roll, while weaving in cultural references from William Blake to American gospel traditions. Gregory says the book is written to be “accessible and enjoyable to fans and general readers alike,” balancing scholarly analysis with lively accounts of Dylan’s many live performances.

A definitive trilogy in progress

The trilogy is being written in reverse chronological order. Gregory’s first volume, Determined to Stand: The Reinvention of Bob Dylan, explored Dylan’s later career. Minstrel Boy now turns to the middle years, while a third volume will cover Dylan’s early rise.

Gregory is also known for his long‑running website From the Pen of Chris Gregory, which has attracted more than 100,000 visits, and his podcast Bob Dylan: A Headful of Ideas, praised internationally for its depth and insight.

Dylan in Swansea

Dylan’s own concerts at the Swansea Arena sold out rapidly, with fans eager to see the Nobel Prize‑winning songwriter perform tracks from his acclaimed 2020 album Rough and Rowdy Ways. The shows will be staged as “phone‑free” events, with audiences asked to lock away their devices to create a more immersive experience.

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Ocean Colour Scene to play Swansea as part of 30th anniversary tour

The band’s 13-date anniversary tour will include arena shows in Cardiff, Manchester, London and Birmingham, with Swansea confirmed for Tuesday 3 December — one of only two Welsh dates.

Swansea joins national tour for Britpop milestone

Released in April 1996, Moseley Shoals became a defining album of the Britpop era, featuring hit singles such as The Riverboat Song, The Day We Caught The Train, and You’ve Got It Bad. The album spent 92 weeks on the UK charts and was certified triple platinum.

Ocean Colour Scene’s 2026 tour will feature a full performance of Moseley Shoals alongside fan favourites from across their career, including Hundred Mile High City, Travellers Tune, and Profit In Peace.

Band promises “special” show for fans

Simon Fowler, lead singer, said:

“It’s hard to believe that Moseley Shoals turns 30 in 2026. We owe so much to that album, so it’s exciting to be able to celebrate with our amazing fans at some of the UK’s most prestigious venues.”

Steve Cradock, guitarist, added:

“This will be a peak for us as a group. Thanks for the support. See you all in 2026.”

Oscar Harrison, drummer, said the tour would be “celebrated in a very big way,” with his son Leon and Cradock’s son Cass joining the band on stage to deliver the full Ocean Colour Scene sound.

The Enemy to support Swansea show

Joining Ocean Colour Scene on tour will be Coventry band The Enemy, whose debut album We’ll Live and Die in These Towns went straight to number one in 2007.

Lead singer Tom Clarke said:

“The first song I ever learned on guitar was The Day We Caught The Train. Every time we share a stage with Ocean Colour Scene it’s a childhood dream come true.”

Ticket details

• Artist pre-sale: Wednesday 15 October, 9am
• Venue pre-sale: Thursday 16 October, 9am
• General sale: Friday 17 October, 9am via oceancolourscene.com

Ocean Colour Scene last played Swansea in 2016 at the Brangwyn Hall. Their return to the city comes as part of their biggest tour in three decades.

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Mal Pope’s homecoming show to help families stay close to their babies in hospital

On Wednesday 8 October, Mal will take to the stage at Swansea Arena for his Homecoming show — and 10% of the profits will go towards finishing a £160,000 appeal to refurbish five small houses next to Singleton Hospital. The homes give families somewhere to stay while their baby is being cared for in the hospital’s specialist baby unit.

For Mal, it’s personal.

“My little grandson, Gulliver, was born at 21 weeks and taken straight into the unit,” he said. “They were wonderful with him… and they looked after the whole family. I said, ‘If there’s ever anything I can do to help, just ask.’ A couple of weeks later they called and told me about the fundraising — and we’ve been on this journey ever since.”

Turning grief into action

Mal admits it’s not easy to talk about.

“Every time I mention Gulliver, it brings back all those memories. I always tell people, ‘Don’t worry about the tears — the more tears I shed, the more money we make.’”

He’s called on friends from the worlds of music and sport to back the appeal. Swansea City AFC, where Mal is a Vice President, made it their charity of the year and even named one of the houses Ty Gulliver — Gulliver’s House — in his grandson’s memory.

“The first thing I did was burst into tears,” Mal said. “The family were delighted.”

A night to remember

The concert will feature special guests and songs from across Mal’s career, including his new single Best of Times. He hopes the night will raise the final £15,000 needed to complete the project.

“It’s a celebration of something that’s been really sad, but something unique has come out of it,” he said. “Out of great sadness, great things can happen. We’re hoping to hand over a cheque for the full amount on stage.”

Lewis Bradley, from Swansea Bay Health Charity, said: “Mal’s story has touched so many people. Every ticket sold brings us closer to giving families a warm, private place to stay while their baby is in hospital. The difference this will make for years to come is huge.”

Tickets for Mal Pope’s Homecoming Concert are on sale now: bit.ly/MalPopeSwanseaArena2025

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City centre amphitheatre set for dramatic makeover with new stage canopy

Located opposite the LC and nestled between Swansea Arena and the National Waterfront Museum, the much-loved amphitheatre has already seen upgrades to its steps, handrails and mains power supply this summer.

Now, Swansea Council has announced plans to install a sail-style canopy over the stage and first six rows of seating, offering shelter for performers while preserving the venue’s open-air charm.

Work is scheduled to begin after the summer season wraps up, which includes the return of the Amplitude free music festival next month.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration, Events and Tourism, said:

“This upgrade is part of our ongoing commitment to bring top-quality cultural, music and creative events to Swansea. It will turn heads and breathe new life into a space that’s already a key part of our city’s cultural infrastructure.”

The canopy is designed to extend the amphitheatre’s usability throughout the year, supporting a wider range of community and cultural events. It complements Swansea’s growing network of performance spaces, from Singleton Park and Grand Theatre to the state-of-the-art Swansea Arena.

Cllr Francis-Davies added:

“The amphitheatre is one of the city’s key assets — an iconic space that plays an important role in our public realm. These improvements will help ensure it remains vibrant, safe and welcoming for residents and visitors alike.”

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Swansea celebrates being Wales’ green roof pioneer on World Green Roof Day

Swansea has over 10 green roofs in the city centre alone with many more across the county. They were celebrated at an event on Wednesday (4 June) organised to shine a spotlight on the importance of green roofs.   

Green roofs help by soaking up stormwater to reduce flooding, keeping buildings energy-efficient, cleaning the air, and creating vital homes for urban wildlife. They even extend roof life by up to three times.

Fran Rolfe, Wales Ambassador for World Green Roof Day and Green Infrastructure Specialist for Natural Resources Wales (NRW), said:

“Green roofs aren’t just a trend; they’re part of the future. Swansea is proud to be leading the way in Wales and showing how cities can thrive with nature. Green roofs are a simple yet powerful way to bring nature back into the everyday fabric of urban areas, creating healthier spaces for people and nature to thrive together.”

Rob Stewart, Swansea Council leader, said:

“Swansea’s becoming a greener city, helped by the council’s work tackling the climate crisis and nature emergency – and we were pleased to support this event. We all have a part to play in helping our local environment.”

Urban Foundry, the urban regeneration organisation involved in the project, also emphasised the importance of embedding green infrastructure into the city’s future.

Dr Ben Reynolds, of Urban Foundry, said:

“We’ve been working with Swansea Council and Natural Resources Wales to grow Swansea’s green economy. Since 2021, nearly 100 local people have trained in green roofing with us – gaining the skills and qualifications to build and maintain green infrastructure across the city. Investing in local training means the work stays in the community and has a real, long-term impact.”

NRW say they are helping to drive green infrastructure efforts across Wales by supporting innovative projects that make urban spaces more nature-friendly and resilient to climate change.

The environmental body say the work in Swansea connects with wider green infrastructure programmes happening across the country, including the Green Infrastructure Forum and nature-based solutions being implemented in the heart of Cardiff through the Nature Networks Fund and the Urban Resilient Ecological Network.

NRW say that these efforts aim to make urban spaces more nature-friendly and resilient to climate change.

#AmyDillwynPark #Environment #greenRoof #NaturalResourcesWales #Swansea #SwanseaArena #SwanseaCouncil #UrbanFoundry

Swansea Valley quarry secures future with £1.4m funding

A stone quarry in the Black Mountains near Pontardawe and Ystalyfera has significantly expanded its operations thanks to a £1.45 million joint funding from HSBC UK and the Development Bank of Wales. 

Gwrhyd Quarry – which has been operational for over a decade – produces Gwrhyd Pennant sandstone used in significant Welsh landmarks, including the Swansea Arena, Senedd building in Cardiff Bay, and many more developments across South Wales. 

The funding has enabled the Walton family, who previously managed the operations of the quarry, to purchase Gwrhyd Quarry and take into full ownership. The business is also looking to invest in new machinery and infrastructure, as part of the quarry’s broader sustainability initiatives, which aim to make it the most sustainable quarry in the UK. 

Michael Walton, Director at Gwrhyd Quarry said: “This funding is a significant milestone for us. It not only secures the future of the quarry but also allows us to invest in sustainable practices such as investing in solar panels to power the site which will benefit the environment and our community. We are grateful for the support from HSBC UK.” 

Ben Youde, Relationship Manager at HSBC UK said: “Having worked with the team for the last two years, we are thrilled to support Gwrhyd Quarry in their journey toward growth. We look forward to seeing its continued success.” 

#Business #construction #GwrhydQuarry #Pontardawe #Quarry #SwanseaArena #Ystalyfera

New murals greet city arena visitors

Two large-scale murals have been added to the interior walls of the Copr Bay South car park, used by thousands who enjoy visiting the Amy Dillwyn Park and events at the Swansea Building Society Arena.

One depicts rock duo Royal Blood, the first paid-for ticketed band to play in the arena after its 2022 opening had been celebrated with the Housewarming, starring Welsh emerging and established bands. The House Party is now an annual event to raise monies for Music Venue Trust, celebrate grassroots music in the city, as well as the anniversary of the venue’s test events.

The other celebrates former Swansea novelist, social benefactor and industrialist Amy Dillwyn. The popular park on top of the car park is named after her.

The works – each more than 2.5m tall and around 8.5m long – were designed and painted by South Wales-based graffiti artist RMER in conjunction with Swansea business Oner Signs and Swansea Council.

The aim of the work is to improve the car park’s appearance, enhancing the experience of car park users and to create art that reflect the immediate area.

It’s designed to create a sense of excitement and anticipation for visitors to Swansea’s new and established visitor attractions.

Council cabinet member Elliott King said: “These eye-catching new pieces of public art make a visit to the park, arena and city centre even more enjoyable.

“They’re striking, attractive and reflect old and new Swansea in an engaging, creative manner.”

RMER said: “I loved working with Oner Signs and the council on this exciting commission.

“We came together to create something site-specific for the arena and park, both really great additions to the city.”

Ronny Oner, of Oner Signs, said: “We featured Royal Blood because their performance was the first paid-for ticketed event in the arena.

“So many people who park here will be going to a gig here so we thought they’d be excited by this image. It’s also a lasting reminder of the first headliner of many great gigs at the venue.

“Our painting of a modern actress playing Amy Dillwyn also works really well – and is a reminder that there’s a Purple Plaque in Amy’s honour in the park.

“We hope that our art helps to make arriving here – to visit the park or an event – a memorable part of the day.”

Elsewhere in the Copr Bay development, the council says it is working alongside contractors to complete the Copr Bay North car park and other finishing works. This follows the scheme’s original contractor going into administration.

#AmyDillwynPark #CllrElliottKing #CoprBay #mural #RMER #Swansea #SwanseaArena #SwanseaCouncil