One of the most well-known pieces of instrumental music, Mike Oldfield's seminal concept album 'Tubular Bells' returns to Australia in 2026.
The tour is part of the record's 50th anniversary celebrations, having been released originally in 1973, with concerts scheduled for Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Newcastle, Canberra and Sydney this June.
Each concert will see 'Tubular Bells' performed in full, plus extended sections of 'Tubular Bells II' and 'III', as well as the Mike's 1983 hit single 'Moonlight Shadow'.
Oldfield's long-term collaborator Robin A. Smith (who has worked with Mike for over 25 years, collaborating on 'Tubular Bells II' and 'III' as well as live performances at 2012 London Olympics Opening Ceremony) will lead an expansive live group, who have already toured the show extensively across the globe the last two years.
Mike Oldfield will not appear at the Australian performances.
"We have been lucky enough to tour our new reimagined version of 'Tubular Bells' extensively around the world, a show that has been embraced by so many," Robin says.
"We thought how wonderful it would be to incorporate music from all of Mike's three major works so everyone can delight in his sensational themes and dramatic episodes."
While the response to 'Tubular Bells' upon release was all but muted, the use of sections of the album as part of the soundtrack to 'The Exorcist' (the intro and outro) saw its popularity surge and Oldfield's reputation solidified.
It was also notable as the first release from a newly created label Virgin Records, Richard Branson confirming he created the imprint when he received almost zero interest from record companies to release it as an instrumental album.
Branson has said numerous times in the ensuring years that without 'Tubular Bells', his company Virgin would never have contemplated going into space.
Tickets on sale from 22 January.
Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells 2026 Tour Dates
Wed 3 Jun - Hamer Hall (Melbourne)
Fri 5 Jun - Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Sat 6 Jun - His Majesty's Theatre (Perth)
Wed 10 Jun - QPAC (Brisbane)
Thu 11 Jun - Civic Theatre (Newcastle)
Fri 12 Jun - Canberra Theatre
Sat 13 Jun - Sydney Opera House
