The Spitfires are officially back – and this time, they’re not easing in quietly. After a successful run of comeback shows this spring, the recharged four-piece announce their brand new album MKII and a six-date UK tour for October. To mark the news, they’ve released Where Did We Go Wrong?, a fired-up, emotional single packed with sharp hooks and soul-searching lyrics, out now via Bellevue Music Recordings.
The return to the studio and stage has reignited the spirit of the Watford-born nu-mod outfit, led by singer-songwriter Billy Sullivan. The new-look Spitfires first reunited on home turf in April with a sold-out show at Bedford’s Esquires, kicking off a string of dates that confirmed the appetite from fans new and old is stronger than ever. That energy now carries into a brand new chapter.
Opening in Manchester at Gorilla on Friday 10 October – their first visit to the city in over six years – the tour also hits Cambridge, Brighton, Nottingham, Newcastle and Bristol. The gigs promise a setlist that spans their back catalogue and offers a first taste of unreleased material from MKII.
Speaking about the album, Sullivan says:
“It sounds refreshed and confident – ballsy but not afraid to be softer and reflective. For me, it’s not a continuation of what’s come before. It’s a completely new chapter. After all these years, to be this inspired and proud of a body of work feels incredible.”
The second single from MKII, Where Did We Go Wrong?, sees The Spitfires explore themes of broken communication and lost connection with a relatable and melodic urgency.
“It’s a song about commitment issues,” Sullivan adds. “That feeling of surrendering someone you love without a fight, because of fear. Fear of hurting them. Fear of being hurt yourself.”
MKII, their sixth studio album, arrives on Friday 3 October and features 11 new tracks. Recorded in Leeds, Manchester, and Chelmsford, it’s the product of a creatively revived Sullivan and his new lineup: Liam Taylor (guitar), Sam Dimond (bass), and Euan Crawford-McKee (drums). The album will be released on CD, digital, and a special edition 12” vinyl in three colour variants – red, blue, and yellow – with the first 200 of each signed by the band.
The tracklist is as follows:
- The Great Divide!
- Better The Devil You Know
- I’ll Never
- Let Me Tell ‘Ya
- Where Did We Go Wrong?
- (Life Is) A Losing Game
- A Man Out Of Time
- Like They Used To
- The Writing’s On The Wall
- I Can’t Keep This Up
- Grateful
The first single, Better The Devil You Know, made waves in April for its timely anti-war message. Released alongside a super-limited 7” vinyl (just 300 copies), it also featured a physical-exclusive B-side: A Man Out Of Time (Le SuperHomard Remix).
From their early buzz with 2015’s 4am and debut album Response, to a 2022 break that sparked reflection and reinvention, The Spitfires have always thrived on forward motion. Now, with MKII, they’re writing their boldest chapter yet – one steeped in passion, melody, and a healthy nod to influences like The Clash, Elvis Costello & The Attractions, and The Specials.
The Spitfires – UK Tour October 2025:
Fri 10 Oct – Manchester, Gorilla
Sat 11 Oct – Cambridge, Mash
Sun 12 Oct – Brighton, Patterns
Fri 17 Oct – Nottingham, Metronome
Sat 18 Oct – Newcastle, The Grove
Sat 24 Oct – Bristol, Thekla
Tickets go on sale Friday 6 June at 10am via: http://linktr.ee/thespitfires
Stay connected with the band for updates on music, tour news and more.
THE FRONT ROW 
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