Influential avant-garde artist Jarboe, and former member of the legendary Swans, will embark on a UK and European tour in May 2026, presenting a truly unique and powerful collaboration alongside multi-instrumentalist Thor Harris (ex-Swans, Shearwater) and vocalist/composer Joy Von Spain (Eye of Nix).
Jarboe’s live set, an immersive experience forged across decades of boundary-pushing music, will draw from her deep catalogue of industrial, experimental and atmospheric works. The trio will also debut two ambient pieces from her forthcoming album, “Sightings”. The performance is a unique union of ritual, sound and raw emotion, showcasing three distinct voices from the experimental underground working in transformative harmony.
Jarboe’s new album, “Sightings”, is an eclectic sonic journey inspired by mystical and evasive encounters with the natural world, a theme captured by the ephemeral presence of the vireo bird. The album will be released on April 3rd, 2026, by the esteemed label, Consouling Sounds. The painting for the “Sightings” artwork was created by Phil Puleo (Swans).
Jarboe’s tour will bring together two titans of contemporary experimental music. Thor Harris is a highly regarded Austin-based multi-instrumentalist, sculptor and writer. Best known as the dynamic percussionist for Swans from 2010–2016, his versatile career also includes pivotal contributions to bands like Shearwater (2001-2010), Bill Callahan, and his own ensemble, Thor & Friends.
Joy Von Spain is a Dutch-based vocalist, keyboardist and modern classical composer. She is a key figure in the Pacific Northwest heavy music scene, notably as the vocalist for the experimental metal/doom outfit Eye of Nix. Her solo and collaborative works explore a blend of neoclassical and experimental music.
One of the fiercest spirits in modern music, Jarboe is an intelligent and aggressive artist possessed of striking musical skill who has rejected the music industry’s all-too-easy stereotyping and exploitation to create shockingly powerful visions. Helping strongly in this is her one-of-a-kind vocal talent, which ranges from emotive blues/gospel tones to wild shrieking, an excellent match for her wide-ranging musical preferences, from industrial dance to atmospheric psych-folk.
The “forward-thinking queen of unreality” (The Wire) and “the true and genuine Pythia of the American underground” (Metal Italia), Jarboe is a multi-disciplinary artist. In Swans, she and founder Michael Gira released some of the most musically extreme recordings of their time, . While she had begun releasing solo material she became more prolific after Swans, issuing numerous recordings and collaborations, Jarboe’s creative endeavours span visual art, literature and theatre, positioning her as a singular, ever-evolving force in the arts.
European & UK Tour Dates 2026:
04/05/2026 (DK): Copenhagen – Rust
05/05/2026 (SWE): Goteborg – Oceanen
07/05/2026 (EE): Tallinn – Hungr
08/05/2026 (LV): Riga – 1983 [Riga]
09/05/2026 (LT): Vilnius – SODAS 2123
10/05/2026 (PL): Warsaw – Niebo
12/05/2026 (PL): Poznan – Blue Note
13/05/2026 (CZ): Prague – MeetFactory
14/05/2026 (DE): Berlin – Venue TBA
15/05/2026 (NL): Tilburg – Hall of Fame
16/05/2026 (BE): Brussels – Obsidian Dust Festival
17/05/2026 (UK): Folkestone – 20th Century Speedway
19/05/2026 (UK): Bristol – Strange Brew
20/05/2026 (UK): London – Cafè OTO
21/05/2026 (UK): Coventry – Just Dropped In
22/05/2026 (UK): Newcastle – The Star and Shadow
23/05/2026 (UK): Liverpool – Outer Waves Festival
All dates & tickets here.
Weblinks:
thelivingjarboe.com
www.facebook.com/TheLivingJarboe
