Fans all over the internet have been left in a frenzy after tickets for Olivia Dean’s UK segment of her 2026 tour ‘The Art of Loving’, including 4 nights at London’s 02 Arena, were snapped up in seconds
This is without a doubt her biggest ever tour, which will take to central Europe after Britain.
Last year, Dean’s ‘Messy’ tour was of an astonishingly small scale comparatively. It included venues like the Eventim Apollo in London, the O2 Academy in Bristol and the University Stylus in Leeds. None of the venues on that tour breached a capacity of 5,000.
She even performed to 70 people in a 2017 show. Next year she will play to over 20,000 fans per night as she visits London, Manchester and Glasgow on her sold out journey around the UK. the tour will head into central Europe following these dats, before finishing an Encore at Fairview Park, Dublin.
The 26 year old Londoner has had an impressive rise, particularly taking off within the last 6 years. In 2021 she was named as Amazon Music breakthrough artist of the year. She then bagged BBC Introducing artist of the year in 2023, a prestigious award that’s been won by names like Catfish and the Bottlemen, Declan McKenna and Nia Archives.
The artist also conquered TikTok earlier in the year with the release of the hit single ‘it isn’t perfect but it might be,’ which featured in ‘Bridget Jones: Mad about the boy.’ Fans fell obsessed with the nostalgic romantic feel of the song, often using the song a theme which can be heard across Dean’s discography.
@oliviadeano_it isn’t perfect but it might be! (live from rak studios) for bridget jones the movie directed by jake erland♬ It Isn’t Perfect But It Might Be – from “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – Olivia Dean
Dean’s 2023 debut album ‘’Messy’’ was nominated for a Mercury Prize and rightly so. The album is an eclectic masterclass. Unrestricted by the borders of genre, it dips into soul, r&b, pop, jazz and many more. It’s a journey of love, heartache and a real look into an empowering young woman embracing what life is throwing at her. It felt new and refreshing at the time, it feels even more so now.
Earlier this month we saw the same story after the singer released her third song from the upcoming album: ‘‘Man I Need’, this follows the songs ‘Nice to Each Other’ and ‘Lady Lady’, the first of which has done incredibly well.
Even more recently she collaborated with Sam Fender on a duet of his song ‘Rein Me in’, which was unveiled in front of 80,000 fans at St James’ park. Olivia Dean is a gem in the heart of the UK’s music scene, that is no longer a question, (if it ever was).
Speaking to Elle earlier in the year Dean comically pointed out one example of how she’s had to adjust to life as a star. “‘I used to be on the Tube saying all my personal business.’ She laughs, holding her phone up to mimic sending a voice note. ‘I’d be like, Sis, so basically, he said that…’ Then I realised I probably shouldn’t be doing that.’”
If you still want to see her you can, but you’ll need to catch a plane, train or boat to go with that ticket. The tour will showcase the eponymous album, which is set for release on September 26.
