Ringo Starr announces a new country album called 'Look Up'
It's due for release in early 2025
Legendary Beatles drummer Ringo Starr has announced he will be releasing a country music album, due for release in early 2025. The new album will feature 11 songs, nine of which have been written or co-written by American record producer and guitarist T Bone Burnett.
Ringo started to tease fans earlier this week, suggesting some news would be announced on Friday 18th October, and now the full tracklist has been announced.
The album is the result of a chance meeting between Ringo and T Bone after they were at an event in Los Angeles back in 2022, after having originally met back in the 1970s.
Speaking about his new album, Ringo said: "I’ve always loved country music. And when I asked T Bone to write me a song, I didn’t even think at the time that it would be a country song – but of course it was, and it was so beautiful.
"I had been making EPs at the time and so I thought we would do a country EP - but when he brought me nine songs I knew we had to make an album! And I am so glad we did. I want to thank, and send Peace & Love, to T Bone and all the great musicians who helped make this record. It was a joy making it and I hope it is a joy to listen to."
The first track from the album 'Time On My Hands' as now been released, and was written by Paul Kennerly, Daniel Tashian and T Bone Burnett.
T Bone Burnett added: "I have loved Ringo Starr and his playing and his singing and his aesthetic for as long as I can (or care to) remember. He changed the way every drummer after him played, with his inventive approach to the instrument. And, he has always sung killer rockabilly, as well as being a heartbreaking ballad singer.
"To get to make this music with him was something like the realisation of a 60-year dream I’ve been living. None of the work that I have done through a long life in music would have happened if not for him and his band. Among other things, this album is a way I can say thank you for all he has given me and us."
What is Ringo Starr's new album called?
Ringo's new album is called 'Look Up'. This album will be the first new album from Ringo in six years, and the first country album for more than 50.
When is it out?
It will be released on 10th January 2025.
What songs are on the tracklist?
- 'Breathless' featuring Billy Strings
- 'Look Up' featuring Molly Tuttle
- 'Time On My Hands'
- 'Never Let Me Go' featuring Billy Strings
- 'I Live For Your Love' featuring Molly Tuttle
- 'Come Back' featuring Lucius
- 'Can You Hear Me Call' featuring Molly Tuttle
- 'Rosetta' featuring Billy Strings and Larkin Poe
- 'You Want Some'
- 'String Theory' featuring Molly Tuttle
- 'Thankful' featuring Alison Krauss
Take a look through UK country tours & festivals this year and next:
The Ballad of Johnny and June - March-September 2026
A musical celebrating the life of Johnny Cash and his second wife June Carter Cash is touring the UK this year, performing hits from both artists, including 'Ring of Fire', 'I Walk the Line', 'Jackson', 'Hey Porter' and 'I've Been Everywhere'.
'The Ballad of Johnny and June' is underway now, and will continue until 19th September, visiting theatres across the country.
Buy tickets here
The Long Road Festival 2026 - August
August Bank Holiday 2026 will see the return of the three-day The Long Road Festival — celebrating the music, lifestyle and influences of Country! From Friday 28th-Sunday 30th August 2026, the festival returns to Stanford Hall estate in Leicestershire with a range of incredible artists across the five stages. The first headliner has been announced as Bailey Zimmerman, who will be taking to the stage on the Saturday night, with Josh Ross and Kezia Gill later added to the bill.
Buy tickets here!
Bailey Zimmerman - August-September 2026
Bailey Zimmerman has announced four UK dates for his 'Different Night, Same Rodeo' tour coming up in August and September. The singer's second album 'Different Night Same Rodeo' was released in 2025 and featured his hits 'Holy Smokes', 'Backup Plan' featuring Luke Combs and 'Chevy Silverado'.
Home Free - September 2026
Home Free will bring their 'Highways & High Seas Tour' to Manchester, London and Birmingham this autumn. From 21st-23rd September, the acapella country stars will put on an evening of stunning vocals and 'Nashville flair', in support of their latest album 'Challenge The Sea'.
Buy tickets here
Ward Thomas - September 2026
British country act Ward Thomas will head on a UK tour in September, in celebration of their 2016 album 'Cartwheels' — which was the first UK country album to bag the Number 1 spot. The twin sisters will be joined by special guests The Wandering Hearts as they visit Glasgow, York, Guildford, Truro, Bath, Manchester, Cambridge, London, Coventry and Gateshead from 13th to 25th September.
Buy tickets here
Megan Moroney - September-October 2026
Megan Moroney is set to tour later in 2026, in support of her third album 'Cloud 9'. The 'Am I Okay?' singer will wrap up her international tour with a stint here in the UK and Ireland, visiting Manchester, Belfast and Glasgow. It'll take place from 26th September-1st October.
Buy tickets here
Brandi Carlile - October
Brandi will be bringing 'The Human Tour - 2026' to the UK, starting in Manchester on 18th October, before travelling to Glasgow and London, finishing on 21st October. She will be supported by KT Tunstall at her UK shows.
Cody Johnson - October-November 2026
Cody Johnson will be heading to the UK as part of his 2026 tour, in October. He'll perform in Manchester, London, Birmingham and Glasgow from 24th October to the 2nd November. He'll be supported by Parker McCollum and Emily Ann Roberts.
Buy tickets here
Noah Kahan - November 2026
Noah Kahan will bring his 'The Great Divide' Tour to the UK and Ireland this autumn. The 'Stick Season' singer who shot to fame in 2022 will visit Glasgow, Manchester, London and Dublin from 5th-22nd November in support of his upcoming album 'The Great Divide'.
Buy tickets here
The Shires - November 2026
The Shires will head on tour in November 2026, in support of their sixth studio album 'Bonfire' — releasing in July. The shows, which will run from 3rd-20th November, will be their first as a full band in four years. They'll be visiting Glasgow, Gateshead, York, Manchester, London, Brighton, Ipswich, Poole, Swansea, Liverpool, Bedford and Bristol.
Buy tickets here
Brothers Osborne - December 2026
Brothers Osborne will support The Darkness on their December 2026 UK tour, visiting seven arenas. From Tuesday 8th, they'll head to Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Brighton and London, concluding on 16th.
Buy tickets here
Kacey Musgraves - February 2027
Kacey Musgraves will bring her 'Middle of Nowhere' tour to the UK, performing three dates over here in February 2027 in Glasgow, Manchester and London to support her second album 'Middle of Nowhere'.
Buy tickets here.
C2C Country To Country - March 2027
Following another hugely successful year in 2026, C2C Country To Country will return in 2027, over the weekend of 12th-14th March.
C2C will take place at London The O2, Glasgow OVO Hydro and Manchester AO Arena.
Buy tickets here!
Thomas Rhett - April 2027
In July 2026, Thomas Rhett announced three UK dates for his 2027 tour. The singer will be performing in Manchester, London and Glasgow in April 2027. Fans can expect to hear a career-spanning set.
Now read:
Country To Country Festival 2025: Everything you need to know
Country music on the rise: Our presenters take a look behind the lens 🎼
Ringo Starr: The legendary drummer's career to date