London Music | Friday 23 October 2026, KOKO
Forty-five years after forming, cult post-punk band Chameleons are back on the road, and they’re bringing a very special guest. They play KOKO in Camden next Friday. Here are five reasons to go.
1. A cult band at the height of their revival
Formed in Middleton, Greater Manchester, in 1981, Chameleons have long been one of the most revered bands among music fans in the know. Their shimmering, towering post-punk songs have influenced everyone from Interpol to The Charlatans, and fans include Noel Gallagher and Moby. After a hugely successful 2025, demand to see them live is at an all-time high.
2. Lol Tolhurst plays The Songs of The Cure
The very special guest is Lol Tolhurst, a founding member of The Cure, performing early and seminal songs from the band’s catalogue. It’s a rare chance to hear the music that shaped The Cure’s post-punk and goth-era sound, played by someone who was there at the start.
3. Classics and new material
Expect a career-spanning set of classics from albums like Script of the Bridge (1983) and Strange Times (1986), plus songs from their new album, Arctic Moon, their first in more than two decades.
4. A brilliant venue
KOKO, the beautifully restored former theatre in Camden, is one of London’s best places to see a gig, and its ornate tiers suit Chameleons’ atmospheric “sonic cathedrals” perfectly.
5. One London date only
It’s the only London show on this short run of seven UK dates, which also visits Glasgow, Leeds, Bristol and Southampton before the band’s annual “Home Is Where The Heart Is” homecoming shows in Manchester in December. Tickets are on sale now.
Tickets and info
Chameleons + Lol Tolhurst
KOKO, 1A Camden High Street, London NW1 7JE
Friday 23 October 2026
Nearest station: Mornington Crescent