Martin Turner ex Wishbone Ash - TWO ERAS TOUR 2026

MARTIN TURNER (EX WISHBONE ASH) – TWO ERAS TOUR 2026

Some concerts are simply gigs. Others are living chapters of rock history. This November, Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre is proud to welcome one of British rock's true pioneers as Martin Turner – the founding original bassist, lead vocalist and one of the principal creative forces behind the classic Wishbone Ash – returns with his eagerly anticipated Two Eras Tour 2026.

Following the overwhelming success of his "Blowin' Free" 55th Anniversary Tour, Martin has created what promises to be one of the most ambitious celebrations of Wishbone Ash's extraordinary musical legacy ever presented. Rather than simply revisiting the greatest hits, the Two Eras Tour is divided into two complete performances, each exploring a defining chapter in the band's remarkable evolution.

The first set transports audiences back to the pioneering Mk.1 era (1969–1974), when the original line-up of Martin Turner, Andy Powell, Ted Turner and Steve Upton rewrote the rulebook for melodic rock. This was the period that produced a breathtaking sequence of albums including Wishbone Ash, Pilgrimage, the universally acclaimed Argus, and Wishbone Four – records that helped establish the band as one of the most innovative and influential guitar bands Britain has ever produced.

After the interval, the show moves seamlessly into the celebrated Mk.2 era (1974–1980), when guitarist Laurie Wisefield joined the band, ushering in a fresh creative direction while retaining the unmistakable Wishbone Ash sound. Fans can expect material from classics such as There's The Rub, New England and Front Page News, albums that expanded the band's musical horizons and further cemented their reputation on both sides of the Atlantic.

Few bands have cast such a long shadow across the history of classic rock. Wishbone Ash's pioneering twin-lead guitar attack became a blueprint for generations of musicians, influencing everyone from Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden to Judas Priest, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Van Halen, Metallica, Dream Theater and countless others. Long before harmonised guitars became a staple of hard rock and heavy metal, Martin Turner and his bandmates had already defined the sound that would inspire decades of future artists.

As lead vocalist, bassist, songwriter and producer, Martin Turner was at the very heart of the albums that established Wishbone Ash as one of Britain's finest progressive and melodic rock bands. His distinctive voice, melodic bass playing and uncompromising musical vision became fundamental ingredients of the band's unmistakable identity, while albums such as Argus continue to appear in "Greatest Rock Albums of All Time" lists more than fifty years after their release.

Today's Martin Turner band continues that legacy with astonishing authenticity. Featuring an exceptional line-up of musicians dedicated to recreating every nuance of the original recordings while capturing the excitement and spontaneity of the classic live performances, these concerts have earned a reputation as the closest audiences can come to experiencing the golden years of Wishbone Ash live on stage. Critics and fans alike consistently praise the passion, musicianship and attention to detail that Martin brings to every performance.

For Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre audiences, this promises to be a genuinely special evening. In the intimate surroundings of one of the UK's most respected grassroots venues, you'll experience music that helped shape the landscape of British rock, performed by the man who helped create it. Whether you're a lifelong devotee who wore out copies of Argus and Pilgrimage, or a newer fan discovering why Wishbone Ash remain one of classic rock's most revered names, The Two Eras Tour offers an unforgettable journey through one of the richest catalogues in rock music.

Expect soaring twin guitars, sublime musicianship, timeless songwriting and a setlist packed with classic anthems, treasured album tracks and the kind of musical craftsmanship that has stood the test of more than half a century. For lovers of classic British rock, this isn't simply another concert—it's an opportunity to witness one of the genuine architects of the genre performing the music that changed guitar music forever.

One night. Two legendary eras. Fifty-five years of timeless music. Martin Turner returns to Barnoldswick—and this is a concert no classic rock fan will want to miss.