Paul Heaton has confirmed details of his forthcoming new album ‘Jenius’ and a huge UK arena tour for autumn 2026 — with a major Nottingham stop locked in for November.
Set for release on August 21, 2026, ‘Jenius’ marks Heaton’s 23rd album, arriving almost exactly four decades after The Housemartins’ debut ‘London 0 Hull 4’. The record is produced by Lightning Seeds’ Ian Broudie and was recorded at Manchester’s Blueprint Studios, featuring 15 brand new tracks performed by Heaton alongside his band and regular live vocalist Rianne Downey. Irish songwriter Declan O’Rourke also contributes guest vocals on ‘The Whisky Did’.
Leading the charge is new single ‘Favourite Kind Of Idiot’, out now — a breezy, affectionate pop anthem that leans into Heaton’s knack for wry romance and everyday charm. “It’s a song in favour of the idiotic people and how charming they can be,” Heaton says, framing it as a love story built on shared imperfections.
Alongside the album news, Heaton has announced a UK-wide arena tour kicking off in late October, taking in major stops including London’s The O2, Manchester’s Co-op Live and Glasgow’s OVO Hydro.
Crucially for East Midlands fans, the run includes a Nottingham show at the Motorpoint Arena on November 10, with tickets priced at a notably accessible £39.50 (plus fees) — a move consistent with Heaton’s long-standing stance on keeping live music affordable.
Tickets go on sale Friday, June 5 at 9:30am via Ticketmaster and Gigs and Tours.
Support across all dates will come from The Lightning Seeds, bringing Broudie’s connection to the project full circle.
The Nottingham show — and the wider tour — is expected to span Heaton’s full catalogue, from The Housemartins’ sharp indie-pop through to The Beautiful South’s era-defining hits, alongside newer material from ‘Jenius’.
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It continues a remarkable run for the songwriter, who picked up the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection in 2022, cementing his status as one of Britain’s most consistent and quietly influential hitmakers, with five UK No.1 albums and over 15 million sales to his name.
About ‘Jenius’
Despite the tongue-in-cheek title — “If anybody ever calls me a genius… I always say, ‘What?! With a J?!’” — ‘Jenius’ leans into everything that’s you’d associate with Heaton: observational and witty lyrics, emotional nuance and an instinct for melody.
The songs explore familiar territory — love, loneliness, pubs, politics, football and community.
As Heaton puts it: “If I can get a variety of people… to say, ‘Oh, that could be about me or you,’ then I’ve been successful.”
WHERE: Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena
WHEN: November 10, 2026
