Inspirational and highly influential Canadian band the Cowboy Junkies have announced an extensive, “Celebrating 40 Years and Beyond” UK tour for April and May this year. Coinciding with the tour, the band is to release a 3-LP collection of songs from their 21st-century releases to date, entitled “Open To Beauty”, which comes out on May 1st via Cooking Vinyl. This ‘Best Of’ set will revisit selected tracks from albums “Open”, “One Soul Now”, “Early 21st Century Blues”, “At The End of Paths Taken”, “Renmin Park”, “Demons”, “Sing In My Meadow”, “The Wilderness”, “All That Reckoning”, “Songs of the Recollection” and “Such Ferocious Beauty”. The album will be available as a 3-LP, 2-CD, and digital set, and details for preordering will be available at this link “in the near future”.
Speaking about the new collection, Cowboy Junkies’ Michael Timmins said: “We are now 25 years into this century, the beginning of which saw us leave the world of major labels and return to making music as an independent band. We figured this was as good a time as any to look back, reassess, and reflect on the music that we have recorded over these past two and a half decades and, hence, Open to Beauty – The Best of the 21st Century.” The enduring power of their music was in evidence recently when their signature performance of Lou Reed’s ‘Sweet Jane’ was featured in the final episode of Netflix TV series “Stranger Things” – watch a clip below.
Formed in Toronto in 1985, Margo Timmins was joined by siblings Michael on guitar, Peter on drums, and Michael’s lifelong friend Alan Anton on bass to begin a journey that has evolved over 29 albums. “I’ve known Alan longer than I’ve known Pete,” says Michael. “We were friends before Pete was born.”
Unlike most long-lasting groups, Cowboy Junkies have never had a breakup or taken a sanity-saving hiatus. It appears there’s an appreciation for each other that keeps them constantly working. “It’s that intimacy and understanding of what each one of us brings to the table,” says Michael. Michael, the oldest, is the chief architect, songwriter, and guitarist, who works with Margo on sculpting the emotional planes and vocal performances before bringing in younger brother Peter on drums and lifelong friend Alan Anton on bass to create the soundscapes that have made Cowboy Junkies a band that quite probably defies categories.
“The expectations and responsibilities of our roles are a big part of the band’s ethos. We’re still amazed that we’re doing things our way and continuing to grow the band, but the longer we are at it, the more fun it’s become. We don’t take it for granted,” Michael offers. “We do what we do,” Margo agrees, “and it feels right for all of us. After 30-plus years of playing together, the band and its music are more important to us than ever. The music we make brings each of us a great sense of contentment, a knowledge of place, and a sense of doing what we were meant to do.”
Tickets for the tour are on sale tomorrow, January 30th, from this link.
Cowboy Junkies 2026 UK Tour Dates:
29/4 – BATH Komedia
30/4 – BEXHILL De La Warr Pavilion
3/5 – EDINBURGH Queen’s Hall
4/5 – ULVERSTON The Coro
6/5 – SUNDERLAND The Fire Station
7/5 – BIRMINGHAM Town Hall
9/5 – LEEDS Howard Assembly Rooms
10/5 – MANCHESTER New Century
11/5 – LONDON The Palladium
13/5 – MILTON KEYNES The Stables
14/5 – NORWICH Norfolk & Norwich Festival
