The Smiths - 2026 tribute shows bring their songs to Kehl and beyond
Published on 09/03/2026 at 07:27 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
The Smiths remain one of the defining British guitar bands of the 1980s, and in 2026 their songs are returning to German stages through dedicated tribute shows. According to the UK tribute band These Smiths, their current tour includes a club night at Hafan 17 in Kehl am Rhein on October 2, 2026, alongside an extensive run of UK and Spanish dates. The band’s official tour listing shows how the project keeps The Smiths’ catalog alive for a new live audience.
Tribute dates in Germany and across Europe
For fans based in Germany, the key 2026 anchor is the These Smiths show at Hafan 17 in Kehl am Rhein on October 2, 2026, which is advertised as a full tribute to songs by The Smiths. The same tour schedule also confirms further club dates in the UK, including Royal Park Cellars in Leeds on September 5, 2026, and venues in Chester, Clitheroe and Nantwich during September. The tour overview then moves into autumn with nights at The Monaco in Hindley and the Boileroom in Guildford, before a December leg in Spain with concerts in Santander, Ponferrada and A Coruña.
Taken together, this route underlines how The Smiths’ music travels well beyond its original era, from a small club in Kehl on the Rhine to festival-style events in Manchester and rock venues in northern Spain. For German listeners who discovered the band long after their split, the Kehl date offers a rare chance to hear a full evening built around songs from albums such as Meat Is Murder and The Queen Is Dead in a local setting rather than having to travel to the UK.
How tribute bands keep The Smiths live
These Smiths are part of a wider network of tribute projects that focus specifically on The Smiths’ catalog, sitting alongside acts such as The Smyths and The Smiths Ltd. Listings on major portals show how these bands collectively fill a touring circuit that the original group has left empty since the late 1980s, with runs that take in medium-sized UK venues and occasional continental dates. A typical These Smiths show in 2026 alternates between club capacities in northern English cities and festival-style slots, while the Kehl appearance demonstrates that promoters in Germany still see an audience for guitar-driven indie nights built around the band’s songs.
Compared with the original Smiths tours of the mid-1980s, which focused heavily on the UK and Ireland, this tribute circuit places more weight on regional British towns and targeted European stops, from Kehl to Spanish cities such as Santander. That shift reflects how The Smiths’ fan base has globalized over four decades, with younger audiences in Germany and elsewhere discovering the songs on streaming platforms and then seeking out live experiences when tribute bands pass through their region.
All news and background on The Smiths
Stay up to date on new Smiths-related releases, anniversary features and tribute shows that bring the band’s songs back to stages in Germany and beyond.
Where the band stands now
The original Smiths remain inactive as a touring unit, and as of early September 2026 there is no announced reunion or official live date; instead, their songs return to stages via tribute acts such as These Smiths and similar projects.
The musical core of The Smiths
The Smiths’ sound combined Johnny Marr’s jangling, layered guitar work with Morrissey’s distinctive vocals and lyrics, creating a blend of indie rock and post-punk that influenced generations of British bands. Classic studio albums such as Meat Is Murder and The Queen Is Dead, released on Rough Trade Records in the mid-1980s, set a template for guitar-driven alternative music with their mixture of melodic hooks and socially conscious themes, a profile that continues to justify detailed tribute tours four decades later.
The Smiths at a glance
- Act: The Smiths
- Genre: Indie rock / post-punk
- Origin: Manchester, United Kingdom
- Active: 1982-1987
- Lineup: Morrissey (vocals), Johnny Marr (guitar), Andy Rourke (bass), Mike Joyce (drums)
- Label: Rough Trade Records (original releases)
- Key works: Meat Is Murder (1985), The Queen Is Dead (1986), Strangeways, Here We Come (1987)
- Current album/single: no new studio releases; catalog titles such as Meat Is Murder continue to be reissued on vinyl
- Charts / certifications: historical 1980s UK and European chart success with albums including Meat Is Murder and The Queen Is Dead
- Next live date: no announced live date at present
Frequently asked questions about The Smiths
Are The Smiths themselves touring in 2026?
The original Smiths are not touring in 2026, and there is no announced reunion date. Instead, dedicated tribute bands such as These Smiths and The Smyths are performing the group’s songs live in the UK, Germany and other European countries.
When and where do These Smiths play in Germany in 2026?
According to the official These Smiths tour page, the band performs a tribute show at Hafan 17 in Kehl am Rhein on October 2, 2026, bringing a full Smiths-themed set to a German club audience.
Which albums by The Smiths are most often highlighted in tribute shows?
Tribute setlists typically center on songs from Meat Is Murder, The Queen Is Dead and Strangeways, Here We Come, reflecting how these mid-1980s releases defined the band’s blend of jangling indie guitar work and literate, emotionally charged lyrics.
