In a year packed with big anniversaries and nostalgic reunions, one of Britain’s most beloved rock acts is marking a milestone of their own. This autumn, Somerset legends REEF will hit the road for a special run of UK tour dates to celebrate 30 years since the release of their seminal debut album, Replenish.
The band will perform the 1994 album in full across an impressive 13-date tour that kicks off on 16th of October at Nottingham’s Rock City and culminates in a celebratory headline performance at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on 8th of November. Along the way, they’ll hit major venues like the O2 Academies in Bristol, Liverpool, and Leeds, as well as other iconic spaces from Glasgow’s SWG3 to Swansea’s Patti Pavilion.
REEF
For frontman Gary Stringer, the tour isn’t just about revisiting the past—it’s a chance to reconnect with a record that changed everything for the band. “We will of course be playing the album in full as well as other fan favourites,” he said. “It’s lush to revisit the starting point of what has been a wonderful adventure. That record changed our lives—it’s kids from the countryside coming to the city and saying, ‘This is us, this is our energy, this is what we want to share.’ And people connected with it.”
Originally released in 1994 and produced by Clive Martin, Replenish introduced REEF’s unique blend of muscular riffs, soul-infused vocals, and down-to-earth charisma. From the uplifting grooves of Good Feeling to the explosive stomp of Naked, the album delivered raw, honest rock without pretence or polish. It was the perfect antidote to the overproduced trends of the time—and it struck a chord with listeners hungry for something more authentic.
The record quickly propelled REEF onto a larger stage—literally. On the back of Replenish, they found themselves supporting the likes of Chris Cornell-led Soundgarden, Josh Homme’s pre-Queens Of The Stone Age band Kyuss, and opening the home-county NME Stage at Glastonbury Festival, where their explosive live energy earned them a fiercely loyal following.
Over the next three decades, REEF would continue to build on that early success, delivering chart-topping albums like Glow (which reached No.1 in 1997), scoring hit singles including Place Your Hands and Come Back Brighter, and developing a reputation as one of the UK’s most dynamic live rock bands. But it all began with Replenish.
To make the tour even more special, REEF have invited a pair of standout guests to join them on the road. Across most dates, they’ll be supported by Kerbdog, the cult Irish alt-rock outfit whose sludgy riffs and soaring choruses earned them a cult following in the ’90s and a devoted second wind in recent years.
REEF
In a unique twist, Ben Ottewell—lead singer and guitarist for the Mercury Prize-winning band Gomez—will also be joining REEF for two select dates: Manchester’s O2 Ritz (30th October) and Liverpool’s O2 Academy (31st October). Ottewell’s bluesy vocals and introspective songwriting offer a fitting complement to REEF’s more rugged sound, promising a night of contrasts and deep musicality.
What makes the Replenish tour so compelling is its sense of full-circle return. Thirty years after four young musicians from Somerset announced themselves with a bold debut album, REEF are still out there—touring, evolving, and connecting with fans, old and new. And this tour is more than just a celebration of an album; it’s a reaffirmation of a band that’s stayed true to their roots while still finding new things to say. “We’re not looking back with rose-tinted glasses,” said Stringer. “We’re just taking stock of how it started and enjoying the ride.”
Whether you were there in 1994 or discovered REEF along the way, this is a tour that promises sweat, soul, and serious volume. Don’t miss the chance to hear one of the great British rock debuts played live—louder and more meaningful than ever. Tickets for all dates available here.
‘Replenish’ UK Dates
OCTOBER
16th – Rock City, Nottingham
17th – SWG3, Glasgow
18th – UEA, Norwich
23rd – O2 Academy, Bournemouth
24th – O2 Academy, Bristol
25th – 1865, Southampton
30th – O2 Ritz, Manchester
31st – O2 Academy, Liverpool
NOVEMBER
1st – De Valence Pavilion, Tenby
2nd – Patti Pavilion, Swansea
6th – O2 Academy, Leeds
7th – O2 Institute, Birmingham
8th – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London
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