Mike Rutherford's written new songs for Mike + The Mechanics Spring tour
Phil Collin's son Nic is back behind the drums
Last updated 28th Mar 2025
It's been 40 years since Mike Rutherford first formed Mike + The Mechanics as a side project during Genesis' hiatus, yet the band continues to see huge success.
Heading back on the road in March, the band best known for hits 'Over My Shoulder' and 'The Living Years' will take their 'Looking Back - Living the Years' tour across the UK for 30 shows.
Mike joins Ken Bruce on Greatest Hits Radio for Golden Years, to talk about his "second incarnation", recording new songs and the year 1970...
Mike + The Mechanics has seen subtle changes to the line-up over the years, with this tour seeing Andrew Roachford and Tim Howar on lead vocals.
"We've always had an R&B voice and a rock voice," he told Ken. "It sort of works having two singers."
And Mike's "keeping it in the family" with drummer Nic Collins stepping behind the drums again for the upcoming tour. The son of iconic drummer — and Mike's former bandmate — Phil Collins, Nic's from a very famous family (his sister, Lily, stars in Netflix phenomenon Emily in Paris) and is an "amazing drummer" and "great energy", according to Mike.
New songs
Mike told Ken he's recorded four new songs for the tour, which will kick off in Glasgow on Monday 3rd March: "I always do a couple of Genesis songs. And actually in the last two months I've written some new songs. I thought, the tour's coming up, do something new, so I've written four songs."
Mike's Golden Year
The singer selected 1970 as his Golden Year, telling Ken it was "a great time for music". Genesis were, of course, just a few years into their career, with Mike remembering the band “just starting out and full of optimism."
He chose to play his "all-time favourite band" The Kinks for his first Golden Year song, choosing Number 2 hit 'Lola'.
The Beatles' 'Long Winding Road' made it on to the list, for its "incredible arrangement" and finally, Mike selected Free's ‘All Right Now’ — “One of the all-time great riffs.”
“The older you get, the less you bicker.”
After nearly six decades performing in bands, Mike spoke fondly of his time with both Genesis and Mike + The Mechanics, telling Ken musical differences weren't such an issue nowadays.
When asked about the early years of Genesis, he said the group got on well...most of the time:
"Five guys, four from public school, sort-of intense young men arguing, bickering like hell, you know. The older you get, the less you bicker.
"It was just about music — which bits, which songs, that kind of thing."
He told Ken Mike + The Mechanics was his "second incarnation" and said as a youngster he'd never have imagined playing in bands for more than 55 years!
"Roachford and Tim are so relaxed on stage, that's sort of rubbed off on me.
"I feel much much more comfortable on stage than I did sort of 25-years-ago. And they make the atmosphere so nice."
And the band continues to draw huge crowds whenever heading out on tour, with fans of all ages enjoying the music. “We’ve always had a great live following,” he told Ken.
Mike + the Mechanics 'Looking Back - Living the Years' tour will visit London, Liverpool, Birmingham, Bournemouth and a string of other venues between 3rd March - 14th April 2025.
You can watch Ken Bruce's full interview with Mike Rutherford on YouTube
Now check out who else is touring this year:
ABBA - 'ABBA Voyage'
ABBA's virtual tour 'ABBA Voyage' started in May 2022. The tour sees the ABBA avatars accompanied by a 10-piece live band, all taking place in a custom-built arena at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London.
The shows were due to run until October 2022, but due popular demand from fans, they will now run until 2026.
Jason Donovan
Jason Donovan will be going on tour in February and March 2026 with his 'Doin' Fine Encore' tour. The singer said: "I am so excited about extending this tour. There were some places we were unable to visit on the 'Doin' Fine 25' tour for logistical reasons, so it's great to be able to go and perform in those venues.
"My performing career has been an incredible ride, and I can't wait to celebrate it by performing the songs that have been such an important part of my life. It's been a fantastic tour so far, and I look forward to sharing all those special moments with my fans."
Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys have announced a series of intimate gigs, taking place in April 2026. 'Obscure Pet Shop Boys', are truly for the biggest fans of the band, as they'll be performing non-single album tracks and B-sides, from throughout their long career.
Toyah Willcox
To celebrate 45 years in the music industry, 80s legend Toyah Willcox will be heading on tour from 2025 to 2026, starting by supporting The Human League at a series of shows in the summer of 2025, before her HUGE tour gets underway in March 2026. Entitled 'Songs & Stories Tour 2026', she'll take the tour to 49 intimate venues across England, Scotland and Wales — finishing on 14th June 2026.
Toyah also has a number of gigs in October and December 2025, in celebration of the release of her new greatest hits album, 'Chameleon: The Very Best Of Toyah'.
Rick Astley
Rick Astley has announced a huge UK tour with special guest Gabrielle. The 'Never Gonna Give You Up' singer will perform across the UK with gigs in Glasgow, London, Liverpool, Newcastle and many more, in April 2026.
Paul Carrack
Paul Carrack will be on tour throughout April and May 2026, celebrating 50 years in the music business and the release of his album 'The Country Side of Paul Carrack'. The singer said of the tour: "There's no feeling like performing live with this band. We've been through it all together, and we're excited to bring something new to these incredible venues. It's going to be a big one."
James Morrison
James Morrison has announced a tour for 2026 celebrating 20 years since the release of his debut album 'Undiscovered'. The singer will perform throughout May and the beginning of June, playing songs from his 5x Platinum album, along with some of this biggest hits.
Billy Ocean
In October 2025, Billy Ocean announced dates for his Summer 2026 tour where he will be performing across the UK from May until August. The singer will be joined by special guest, former Wet Wet Wet and solo artist Marti Pellow.
Foreigner
'I Want To Know What Love Is' band Foreigner have announced two UK dates for June 2026. The band will perform their biggest anthems from their back catalogue at the very special concerts.
UB40
UB40 have announced a huge tour taking place in June 2026. The band are expected to perform many of their iconic classic hits from their back catalogue and some brand new tracks which will feature on their upcoming studio album, due for release in Spring 2026.
The Human League
'Don't You Want Me' band The Human League have announced they will be performing a big outdoor show in 2026. The band, who will be joined by special guests ABC, will be taking to the stage for this one-off show in Leeds.
Boyzone
In September 2025, Boyzone announced they would be reuniting for their largest gig ever. Due to take place in London on Saturday 6th June 2026, the band will be playing to 44,000 fans for their show called 'One For The Road: Live At Emirates Stadium, London'.
Beverley Knight
Beverley Knight has announced a huge UK headline tour for 2026 called 'Born to Perform'. The show will see Beverley perform some of her biggest hits as she also takes the audience on a journey through her career of music and theatre. The tour takes place throughout June 2026.
Westlife
After much excitement and teasing, the band revealed they will be playing across the UK in September and October 2026, as part of their 'Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour'. The band will start their UK leg in Aberdeen on Tuesday 29th September, before performing across the UK, ending with FIVE dates in Belfast (previously announced).
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