Transvision Vamp, the London pop-rock band led by iconic singer Wendy James, have announced their first UK tour since 1991.
The 16-date tour will begin on October 6 in Newcastle and includes a London show at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire. It will also call at Belfast and Dublin.
The band, who reunited last summer after splitting up more than 30 years earlier, recently wrapped up a sold-out tour in Australia and New Zealand.
Transvision Vamp were formed in West London by Wendy James and Nick Christian Sayer in 1986, and were joined by Dave Parsons and Tex Axile.
They signed to MCA Records and released their breakthrough debut album Pop Art in 1988, featuring hit singles such as I Want Your Love, Tell That Girl To Shut Up and Revolution Baby.
Second album Velveteen, which included the smash hit Baby I Don’t Care, was released the following year and reached No 1 in the UK and 10 other countries around the world.
Third and final album Little Magnets Versus The Bubble Of Babble was released in 1991 and was their biggest USA release, securing No.1 spots in all the indie and college charts. Ironically, it was only available in the UK on import until years later.
The band did two world tours that year, and Kurt Cobain of Nirvana famously attended many of the US shows, wearing TVV t-shirts and declaring himself a fan.
In 1992, Transvision Vamp called time-out in San Francisco. James went on to enjoy a successful solo career, releasing seven albums, most recently 2024’s The Shape Of History.
Over the years she collaborated with the likes of Elvis Costello, James Williamson of Iggy & The Stooges, Lenny Kaye of The Patti Smith Group and James Sclavunos of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds.
Transvision Vamp’s 2026 line-up includes original members Wendy James (vocals) and Dave Parsons (bass), plus Alex Ward (guitar & vocals), Pip Stakem (guitar & vocals), Matt Millership (keyboards & vocals) and Sclavunos (drums).
They will play Portugal and Spain in September, Transvision Vamp will play Portugal and Spain directly before heading to the UK.
James said: ““Words cannot express the feelings I have to be touring Transvision Vamp again! I am surrounded by the best musicians in the world, and when we take to the stage, it is a force to be reckoned with. We take no prisoners. I cannot wait to bring it to the UK and plant our flag!”
Tickets go on general sale on Friday, 27 February at 10am and will be available on www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.thewendyjames.com/live
