The Best of Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells

The Best of Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells comes to York Barbican on Tuesday 2 March 2027, starting at 7:30pm. It's a live celebration of the Tubular Bells trilogy, and just to be clear from the start: Mike Oldfield himself won't be appearing. The show is led and arranged by Robin Smith, who's worked with Oldfield for more than three decades as his long-term collaborator and Grammy-nominated Musical Director. He's conducted performances at Edinburgh Castle, Horse Guards Parade and the 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, and he's the one bringing this particular set to York.

The programme works its way through the three Tubular Bells albums, which spanned 27 years. The original Tubular Bells was created in 1971 and released in 1973. Tubular Bells II followed in 1992, with its filmed premiere from Edinburgh Castle remaining one of the most viewed musical events ever. Tubular Bells III came in 1998, and its excerpt 'Far Above the Clouds' was used in the 2012 London Olympic Opening Ceremony. The show brings them together in one evening, played by a live group, with the single 'Moonlight Shadow' added to the mix.

It's part of a 2027 UK tour that follows a series of sell-out runs through 2025 and 2026. The whole thing is billed as a live celebration of the trilogy, and with Robin Smith at the helm, it's the same material he's been working on with Oldfield for years. The show starts at 7:30pm at York Barbican on Tuesday 2 March.