The New Pornographers Announce 2026 U.S. Tour, Reflect on Past Challenges
The New Pornographers are set to embark on their first tour since 2024, with performances scheduled across the United States in April and May of 2026, supported by Okkervil River’s Will Sheff. The announcement comes as the band navigates the aftermath of a deeply unsettling period and prepares for a new album.
The band has remained largely silent on the live circuit since the arrest and subsequent three-year prison sentence of former drummer Joe Seiders, who pleaded guilty to felony possession of child pornography and related misdemeanor charges. The situation forced a reckoning within the group and prompted difficult conversations about the band’s future.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, frontman A.C. Newman addressed the gravity of the situation and the decision to maintain the band’s name. “He had to be caught,” Newman stated, emphasizing the necessity of accountability. “It’s not a better alternate history where he doesn’t get caught and he’s still in the band. That’s the worst alternate history. It all had to happen.”
The forthcoming album, a follow-up to 2023’s Continue as a Guest, was initially recorded with Seiders. Following his dismissal, Newman enlisted the talents of renowned drummer Charley Drayton to re-record the drum tracks. Drayton, celebrated as one of the best in the industry, stepped in due to a close personal connection. “Charley’s just one of the best drummers in the world, and I’m lucky that I knew him,” Newman explained. “His longtime girlfriend and my wife are really good friends. I think a couple of days after it all happened, he said to my wife, ‘Tell Carl to call me. I’ll do it.’ And he’s such a big deal that I think I needed that.” While Drayton contributed significantly to the new album, he is not expected to join the band on tour, and the New Pornographers are currently without a permanent drummer.
The New Pornographers: 2026 U.S. Tour Dates
- 04-22 Boston, MA – The Wilbur
- 04-23 New York, NY – Webster Hall
- 04-24 Glenside, PA – Keswick Theatre
- 04-25 Rochester, NY – Water Street Music Hall
- 04-27 Detroit, MI – El Club
- 04-29 Millvale, PA – Mr. Smalls Theatre
- 04-30 Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
- 05-01 Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall
- 05-02 Minneapolis, MN – The Fitzgerald Theater
- 05-03 Chicago, IL – The Metro
- 05-05 Englewood, CO – Gothic Theatre
- 05-06 Salt Lake City, UT – The Commonwealth Room
- 05-08 Seattle, WA – The Showbox
- 05-09 Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater
- 05-11 San Francisco, CA – The Castro Theatre
- 05-12 Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom
- 05-13 Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom
- 05-15 Austin, TX – Mohawk Outside
- 05-16 Dallas, TX – The Kessler Theater
- 05-17 Baton Rouge, LA – Chelsea’s Live
- 05-19 Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
- 05-20 Saxapahaw, NC – Haw River Ballroom
- 05-21 Washington, D.C. – 9:30 Club
The tour signifies not only a return to the stage for the New Pornographers but also a testament to their resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity, and a commitment to moving forward with integrity.
