Apr, 2025
'Rainy Sunday Afternoon' To Be Released In September!
The Divine Comedy announce new album ‘Rainy Sunday Afternoon’ to be released on Friday 19th September. You can listen to the lead track 'Achilles' here!
Neil Hannon has been busy in the six years since The Divine Comedy’s last studio album - 2019's 'Office Politics'. He remastered and reissued The Divine Comedy’s back catalogue; released a new Best Of ‘Charmed Life’ and toured it; and wrote the original songs for global blockbuster ‘Wonka’. Now – finally - a new album.
Looking back seems remarkably apt for 'Rainy Sunday Afternoon’. The band’s thirteenth album sees Neil in a reflective mood, contemplating the past and the present with a hopeful nod to the future.
“My musical output is, for better or worse, a representation of my personality,” Neil Hannon admits. “A good chunk of that personality revels in the rumbumptious; celebrates the silly. And I made ample use of that for the Wonka songs."
“I have, though, like everyone, a darker, more melancholy side. And for one reason or another it has been much in evidence of late,” Neil explains. “I needed to use this album as an outlet for those feelings. To work through some stuff. Mortality; memories; relationships; political and social upheaval. Everyone should get to make an orchestral pop album once in awhile. It should be available on the NHS.”
A remedy to the maladies of recent times, the band will be heading out on a UK tour in October. Tickets will be going on sale 10am on Thursday 17th April with European and Irish dates to follow in 2026.
'Rainy Sunday Afternoon' can be pre-ordered now across a wide variety of formats, with something for everyone! Formats include standard CD, a black BioVinyl LP and a limited edition dark green BioVinyl LP. We have a limited edition Deluxe CD which includes the 'Live In Paris & London’ bonus disc. Transport yourself back to 2022's celebratory career-spanning shows with deep cuts and fan favourites in your own front room!
The new album will also be available from our webstore as a limited edition aqua blue cassette and a limited edition Deluxe LP casebound book containing a BioVinyl LP, the 'Live In Paris & London’ bonus CD and a 16 page behind the scenes look at the making of ‘Rainy Sunday Afternoon’ at Abbey Road. Keep an eye on our news page and socials as more details are released.
Pre-order any format of the album from The Divine Comedy webstore to get pre-sale access to tickets for the UK dates. The ticket pre-sale starts Tuesday 15th April 10am, order an album before 9am on Thursday 17th April for access. Pre-sale tickets are limited to 4 per code.
See you in the Autumn!
OCTOBER – UK TOUR 2025
06: LIVERPOOL, Philharmonic Hall
07: NOTTINGHAM, Royal Concert Hall
08: BATH, The Forum
10: GATESHEAD, The Glasshouse
11: LONDON, Barbican
12: LONDON, Barbican
13: BRIGHTON, Brighton Dome
15: CAMBRIDGE, Cambridge Corn Exchange
16: SHEFFIELD, Sheffield City Hall
17: WOLVERHAMPTON, University Of Wolverhampton At The Civic Hall
18: SWANSEA, Swansea Building Society Arena
20: GLASGOW, Royal Concert Hall
21: YORK, York Barbican
23: OXFORD, New Theatre Oxford
24: MANCHESTER, The Bridgewater Hall
25: BRISTOL, Bristol Beacon
All info correct at time of posting.
Photography By Kevin Westenberg.