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The year is 2009. 'Ruby' by The Kaiser Chiefs is blaring on the radio, and I am getting ready for school. I begin by smearing foundation a few shades too dark on my very pale skin and swiping charcoal black eyeliner around my eyes in thick, uneven strokes. I smile, satisfied, at my reflection as my mascara settles into solid clumps. I carve a pristine deep side part into my hair, letting my self-cut curtain bangs fall over one eye. I switch off my radio just as the opening synth notes of MGMT's 'Kids' begin to play. I grab my Adidas string bag and clomp out the door.
Millennials may be a little biased, but we can't help but look back with pride at our mid-2000s childhoods. AOL messenger! A phone with nothing but two ringtones and the snake game! Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse! Tammy Girl! They were certainly simpler times. And nothing brings it all back quite like the sounds of the indie bands that filled our iPod Shuffles. As embarrassing as those noughties years were, we are all so nostalgic for them.
In fact, we are literally desperate to get that feeling of being a hopeful millennial pre-teen back. Trends are borrowing from the Y2K years. Millennial TV shows and films keep getting rebooted. We are even returning to the scents we used to douse ourselves in at our lockers.
It's no great wonder, then, that every single indie sleaze band of the era is suddenly back on the scene — or is it simply an ominous recession indicator? Either way, we couldn't be happier to welcome them back with open arms.
Radiohead and The Ting Tings have just wrapped their tours, but there are plenty of other nostalgic indie bands on the road.
Here's everything you need to know.
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This iconic Northern Irish indie band, with their bright, energetic rock sound, is back on tour, and this time, they're celebrating the 15th anniversary of their debut album Tourist History by performing it live in full. It's going to be a moment to really let go, and we cannot wait.
They'll be playing outdoors at Crystal Palace Park in south-east London on Friday 26th June 2026 (with additional dates in Ireland and Cardiff), joined by supporting acts including James Marriott, The Royston Club and even The Vaccines – who'll also be playing their debut What Did You Expect from the Vaccines?. The nostalgia really is hitting deep with these album throwbacks.
Think of it as a mini indie festival to make up for there being no Glasto in 2026. We, for one, can’t wait to dance around and relive our indie sleaze era.
Find out more here and get tickets here.
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If your teenage years were soundtracked by Snow Patrol's deep feelings and even deeper choruses, then don't just lay here (sorry not sorry).
Snow Patrol are bringing their arena-sized emotion outdoors next summer on Friday 3rd July, with a huge headline show at Crystal Palace Park. Expect a sunset crowd, thousands of voices chanting ‘Light up, Light up’, and the kind of setlist that turns strangers into a choir. They’ll also be joined by Rag’n’Bone Man and Nieve Ella, making it a proper day fest without the faff.
Find out more here and get tickets here.
Formed in 2010, The Vaccines burst onto the scene to take Millennials through their late high school careers and into their uni dorm rooms. The pulsing drumbeat of “If You Wanna” echoed across every house party, while “Post Break-Up Sex” made us all feel oh-so-sophisticated.
And, yes, they're back. The Vaccines are currently on tour and will be performing around the UK early this year, hitting O2 Academy Brixton in London on March 13 and 14. They're also set to play in Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Nottingham and Bristol.
Find out more here and get tickets here.
The dog days are just beginning. Flo Welch is back on the road. While her 2009 album Lungs and her 2012 album Ceremonial defined our youths, her latest work, Everybody Scream, which came out in October last year was nothing short of epic – an album of battle cries for grown-up Millennials, if you will. Plus, she's announced a worldwide tour and is kicking off in the UK in early Feb.
Find out more here and get tickets here.
Bloc Party gave us tunes like “Flux” in 2007, “Banquet” in 2004, and “This Modern Love” in 2005. A little bit emo, a little bit indie, they were just what we needed at the time… and might be just what we need right now, too.
Plus they're touring in the UK in November this year (2026), so grab your tickets here.
The Scottish Fratellis' 2006 album Costello Music was everything. “Chelsea Dagger!” “Henrietta!” “Whistle For the Choir!” So fun. Recapture some of the fun this year when the band tours the UK to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the album (yes, really).
They'll be in Nottingham, London, Norwich, Cardiff, Liverpool, Manchester, Wolverhampton, Plymouth and more from Feb.
Find out more here and get tickets here.
Indie-pop at its finest, Scouting for Girls was peppy, bright, fun and so of its time. “This Ain't a Love Song” was the best.
The band is touring the UK early this year.
Find out more here and get tickets here.
The Kooks were a staple of our musical rotations back in the day. I'm willing to bet you can still sing “She Moves in Her Own Way” word-for-word. And guess what? You could have the chance to do it with hundreds of other survivors of the noughties next month.
The Kooks are hitting up Margate, Bristol, Belfast and more in the summer.
Find out more here and get tickets here.
“RUBY, RUBY, RUBYYY!” Iconic. The Kaiser Chiefs are, like every other indie band, apparently, touring the UK early this year.
Find out more here and get tickets here.
Launch time is 2 pm.
