Carly Pearce has never been an artist who does things halfway. From the moment she stepped onto the Royal Albert Hall stage for the Opry 100 celebrations last year, it was clear she had forged a special connection with UK audiences. Now, the Kentucky native is set to deepen that bond with a full UK and Ireland tour this May, including a triumphant return to the Royal Albert Hall to headline Highways Festival on Saturday 16 May.
It feels like a natural next step for an artist who has become one of modern country music’s most compelling storytellers, and whose live shows have earned a reputation for emotional honesty and powerhouse vocals. As Holler put it, her previous UK appearance was nothing short of a “legendary performance”, while Entertainment Focus praised how “Pearce held the London crowd in the palm of her hand”, awarding the show a rare 5 out of 5.
This time, she is bringing friends.
A Run of Major UK and Ireland Dates
Pearce’s May 2026 tour will see her play some of the UK and Ireland’s most beloved venues:
- 13 May – Bristol Beacon
- 14 May – Manchester Academy
- 16 May – London Royal Albert Hall (Highways Festival)
- 18 May – Glasgow SEC Armadillo
- 19 May – Dublin, 3Olympia Theatre
- 20 May – Belfast Waterfront Hall
Tickets are available now.
Tigirlily Gold Join the Party
Joining Pearce across the tour, and at Highways, are rising Nashville duo Tigirlily Gold, the sister act of Kendra and Krista Slaubaugh. Their breakout single, “Shoot Tequila“, went viral on social media with over 50 million views. Known for their sharp songwriting, tight harmonies and modern country edge, the pair have been steadily building momentum in the US. Their addition to the bill brings an exciting new dynamic to the tour, and UK fans will get an early look at a duo tipped for big things.
A New Single and a New Chapter
Pearce arrives in the UK with new music in hand. Her latest single, “Church Girl”, is a vulnerable, soul‑baring ballad that explores faith, expectation and the messy realities of life. It is another example of Pearce’s ability to blend traditional country roots with contemporary emotional depth, a hallmark that has defined her recent work.
The tour also follows the release of her acclaimed 2024 album hummingbird, which featured the PLATINUM‑certified hit “we don’t fight anymore” with Chris Stapleton. The track earned Pearce her second GRAMMY nomination and became her fifth Top 5 Country Radio hit, cementing her status as one of the genre’s most consistent and respected voices.
A Career Built on Grit, Grace and Country Tradition
Pearce’s story is one of country music’s most compelling modern arcs. Leaving her Kentucky hometown at just 16 to perform at Dollywood, she has since become a GRAMMY, CMA, ACM and CMT Award‑winning artist, a Grand Ole Opry member, and a newly inducted member of the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. She has stepped onto the Opry stage more than 100 times, a testament to her deep roots in the genre’s traditions.
Her third studio album, 29, delivered two major hits: “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” with Ashley McBryde and the 2× PLATINUM “What He Didn’t Do”. Her fourth album, hummingbird, showcased her evolution into a confident, emotionally fearless songwriter. Now, she is working on her highly anticipated fifth studio album, promising yet another chapter of growth.
Why This Tour Matters
For UK country fans, Pearce’s return feels like a milestone moment. She is an artist who has always treated international audiences with the same intimacy and respect she brings to Nashville’s most hallowed stages. Her shows are known for their storytelling, their vulnerability and their ability to make even the largest venues feel personal.
Pair that with the grandeur of the Royal Albert Hall, the energy of Highways Festival and the rising spark of Tigirlily Gold, and May 2026 is shaping up to be one of the standout months in the UK country calendar.
