Mike Oldfield collaborator announces all-new tour celebrating all three ‘Tubular Bells’ albums
Following on from the successful extended 50th anniversary celebrations of Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells, which toured throughout the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand in 2023 and 2024, The Best of Tubular Bells I, II & III, which celebrates the brilliance of these iconic and seminal musical pieces, will tour across the UK throughout February and March 2026.
One of the most pioneering and influential musicians of all time, Mike Oldfield’s visionary Tubular Bells series spans three albums and 17 years, with Tubular Bells created in 1971 and released in 1973, Tubular Bells II released in 1992, and Tubular Bells III released in 1998, with the excerpt of Far above the Clouds featuring in the 2012 London Olympic Opening Ceremony.
With each album, Oldfield expands on the incredible themes and theatrical variations he first composed at 17 years old, continually innovating and pushing boundaries.
The Best of Tubular Bells I, II & lll 26-date UK tour will feature an expansive live group, led and arranged by Oldfield’s long-term collaborator Robin Smith, which will see extended sections of each iconic Tubular Bells album performed, as well as worldwide hit single Moonlight Shadow.
The original Tubular Bells was the debut studio album by English multi-instrumentalist, composer, and songwriter Mike Oldfield.
Just 17 years old when he started composing the music, Oldfield recorded and played almost all the instruments on the album, which went on to become the highest-selling instrumental album of all time.
Robin Smith says: “In The Best of concert we get to perform excerpts from all three masterpieces and highlight the musical brilliance and technical advancements that have occurred between the first and the third albums.
“It will be an unforgettable evening and a great challenge for the wonderful musicians.”
He adds: “I have been lucky enough to work with Mike since the premiere and the conception of Tubular Bells II.
“All of these epic works in the Tubular Bells series are filled with music of the utmost creativity and continually take the listener on extraordinary journeys of imagination.
“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.
“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.
“Night after night, we have huge pleasure in knowing that we are continuing to keep the legacy of Mike’s music alive for the people who love it already and for new listeners.
“So we delight in bringing you this new show - it is so full of energy, so full of life, and will be an incredible spectacle.”
The show will be coming to the Cambridge Corn Exchange on Monday, 9 March 2026. Tickets go on pre-sale this Thursday (5 June) at 10am, before going on general sale on Friday (6 June) at 10am.
For tickets, go to ticketmaster.co.uk.
