Everything But the Girl announce first shows in 25 years

Everything But the Girl released Fuse, their first new album in two decades, in 2022, but they didn’t play any shows for it, not counting a short performance at BBC’s Maida Vale Studios. Three years later Ben Watt and Tracey Thorn, who’ve been a couple since the ’80s, have decided to return to the stage for their first concerts in 25 years.

Word went out to UK members of their fanclub mailing list that the duo would be playing two intimate shows at London’s Moth Club on April 6 & 7. “We’re performing as a part-acoustic part-electronic duo accompanied by Rex Horan on double bass,” Ben and Tracey said. “No club bangers, no huge arena, just a chilled folk-tronic vibe. Two sets with an interval. Songs from both our solo and duo years.” Officially the shows are billed as Ben Watt and Tracey Thorn.

They add: “We loved making Fuse together in 2022, and we wanted to do something else. And that slowly turned into a conversation about playing live again. When we pictured how, we realised we just wanted to play a few songs – including some we’d never done before – in a small club. Front room, friends and family vibe.”

Tickets went on sale through the list this morning at 9 AM UK time and sold out instantly. Good news though: “If the shows go well we intend to do more.” Let’s hope they go well.

EBTG’s last show was at the 2000 Montreux Jazz Festival and you can listen to that performance below.