China Crisis are marking 40 years in the game with their 2026 Tour. If the Gosforth show was anything to go by, they’re doing it in style, just without the usual overblown anniversary hype. Kicking things off earlier this year, the tour feels more like a celebration than a victory lap, and that suits them perfectly.

 

Fronted by Gary Daly and Eddie Lundon, the band still has that unmistakable sound—smooth, slightly jazzy, and effortlessly melodic. There’s a full backing line-up on this tour, and it really fills things out, giving the songs a richer feel without losing their original charm.

 

The set leaned heavily on fan favourites and no one was complaining. When African & White started up, the crowd was instantly locked in and Black Man Ray got one of the biggest reactions of the night. These songs have aged incredibly well, and hearing them live just reminds you how well-crafted they are.

 

A big part of the tour celebrates their album, Flaunt the Imperfection, which still sounds fantastic four decades on. Tracks from that era slotted in naturally, never feeling like they were just there for nostalgia’s sake—they still hold their own.

 

What really stood out was how relaxed everything felt. There was plenty of light, witty banter between songs, and the talented band seemed genuinely happy to be there. No ego, no big production tricks—just great musicians playing songs they clearly still care about.

 

All in all, it’s a brilliant, easy going show that proves China Crisis haven’t lost their touch. If anything, they’ve just grown into it.

Neil Whittaker