REPUBLICA ANNOUNCE MAJOR UK HEADLINE TOUR CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF ‘READY TO GO’
30 YEARS AFTER THEIR EXPLOSIVE BREAKTHROUGH, REPUBLICA RETURN TO THE ROAD THIS AUTUMN
30TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION OF THEIR ICONIC SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM TO BE RELEASED 9 OCTOBER
DOUBLE-VINYL EDITION INCLUDES RARE 1997 LIVE RECORDING ‘A DAY AT THE RACES’
Republica are returning to the road this autumn for a major UK headline tour, celebrating 30 years since the band exploded onto the scene and became one of the most distinctive and exhilarating acts of the ’90s.
Fronted by the iconic Saffron, Republica will bring their unmistakable collision of techno-pop, punk rock and electronica to stages across the UK throughout October and November, with the ‘30 Years of Ready To Go’ tour taking in 20 dates nationwide.
Republica emerged at a time when female-fronted bands were helping to redefine the sound and attitude of British guitar music, standing alongside the likes of Catatonia, Elastica, Sleeper and Skunk Anansie. But Republica carved out a world entirely of their own, combining pounding electronic beats, gritty guitars and Saffron’s instantly recognisable vocals and larger-than-life stage presence.
Their breakthrough singles Ready To Go and Drop Dead Gorgeous became defining anthems of the era, dominating radio, MTV and dancefloors while establishing Republica as a formidable live act. Three decades later, those songs remain as infectious as ever and are enjoying a new lease of life as a new generation discovers the band.
Republica’s music has now featured in more than 500 syncs, with their songs continuing to soundtrack major film, television and cultural moments including Captain Marvel, Ted Lasso and Yellowjackets, as well as appearing in a Dua Lipa/Vogue campaign and the new Trainspotting musical.
The band’s 30th anniversary celebrations will also coincide with the release of a special edition of their self-titled debut album on 9 October. The double-vinyl release features the original album alongside the rare A Day At The Races live recording, captured at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre in August 1997. While six tracks from the performance were previously released briefly on CD, three tracks will appear for the first time on this new edition, all mixed and mastered from the original multi-track recordings.
Originally released in 1997, Republica reached #4 in the UK Album Chart, spending six weeks in the Top 10 and going Gold for more than 100,000 UK sales. Ready To Go and Drop Dead Gorgeous reached #13 and #7 respectively, while the band’s international success saw them score a Top 10 Alternative Airplay hit in North America and chart-topping success in Mexico and Poland.
The album’s anniversary edition will be pressed on distinctive red-and-black double vinyl, referencing Saffron’s iconic hair and one of the most recognisable visual signatures of the era.
The return to the road follows a busy year for Republica. The band have already played several major festivals this summer, while Saffron has also performed as a star guest vocalist with Alex James’ Britpop Classical extravaganza.
Known for their high-energy, full-throttle live performances, Republica have played some of the UK’s biggest festivals, including Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds, as well as continuing to perform internationally.
The ‘30 Years of Ready To Go’ tour kicks off on 16 October at Strings, Isle of Wight, before travelling across the country, with highlights including Birmingham’s Hare & Hounds on 30 October, Manchester, Glasgow and London’s The Garage on 28 November, before the tour concludes at Thekla in Bristol on 29 November.
Saffron says:
“It’s incredible to think it’s been 30 years. These songs still feel as urgent and exciting as they did back then—we can’t wait to celebrate with everyone.”
With a catalogue packed with era-defining anthems, a reputation for electrifying live shows and a whole new generation discovering their music, Republica’s 30th anniversary is set to be celebrated where it belongs — on stage.
Full tour dates:
16-Oct-26 Isle of Wight Strings
17-Oct-26 Southampton The Brook
23-Oct-26 Kendal Brewery Arts Centre
24-Oct-26 Sheffield Network 2
29-Oct-26 Frome Cheese & Grain
30-Oct-26 Birmingham Hare & Hounds
31-Oct-26 Leeds Brudenell
05-Nov-26 Tunbridge Wells Forum
06-Nov-26 Brighton Chalk
07-Nov-26 Norwich UEA
12-Nov-26 Guildford Boileroom
13-Nov-26 Exeter Phoenix
14-Nov-26 Cambridge Mash
15-Nov-26 Cardiff Globe
20-Nov-26 Manchester Gorilla
21-Nov-26 Glasgow Oran Mor
26-Nov-26 Nottingham Rescue Rooms
27-Nov-26 Bedford Esquires
28-Nov-26 London The Garage
29-Nov-26 Bristol Thekla
Tickets on sale via Republicamusic.co.uk
