Big Big Train, the award-winning, progressive rock band, will issue their 16th studio album via InsideOutMusic on 6th February 2026. Woodcut is a landmark release for the group, whose line-up draws together members from England, Scotland, Italy, the USA, Sweden and Norway, in that it marks their first ever full-length conceptual piece – quite a statement given the musical depth and storytelling qualities of a band formed in Bournemouth way back in 1990. Woodcut is a continuous narrative exploring creativity, sacrifice and the thin line between inspiration and madness and featuring a character called The Artist.
Today they launch a second single from the album, titled ‘The Sharpest Blade’, a track that sees violinist Clare Lindley sharing lead vocals with the band’s frontman – and Woodcut producer – Alberto Bravin.
Lindley, who also wrote the lyrics for ‘The Sharpest Blade’, explains: “Having gone for a walk in the woods and happened upon an amazing piece of heartwood, lit by a natural beam of sunlight, the Artist has taken it home. In the song ‘The Sharpest Blade’, he begins to carve the heartwood. Although he still has doubts and dark inner thoughts, he finds himself carving a wonderful scene. It’s so good that he feels it is perhaps not of his own hand…”
Watch the video for The Sharpest Blade, once again created by Crystal Spotlight, here:
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Additionally the band have just announced a UK/European headline tour for September/October 2026, including their biggest headline show to date at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire. Find the full list of dates below:
BIG BIG TRAIN – THE WOODCUT & OTHER STORIES TOUR
Friday 25th September – The Stables, Milton Keynes, UK
Saturday 26th September – The Asylum, Birmingham, UK
Sunday 27th September – Komedia, Bath, UK
Monday 28th September – The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, UK
Wednesday 30th September – The Spirit Of 66, Verviers, Belgium
Thursday 1st October – Colos-Saal, Aschaffenburg, Germany
Friday 2nd October – Poppodium Boerderij, Zoetermeer, Netherlands
Saturday 3rd October – De Pul, Uden, Netherlands
Sunday 4th October – TBA, France
Tuesday 6th October – La Sala, Madrid, Spain
Wednesday 7th October – Razzmatazz 2, Barcelona, Spain
Friday 9th October – Teatro Astra, Schio, Italy
Saturday 10th October – Phenomenon, Fontaneto d’Agogna, Italy
Sunday 11th October – Z7, Pratteln, Switzerland
Tuesday 13th October – RNCM Theatre, Manchester, UK
Wednesday 14th October – Playhouse, Whitley Bay, UK
Thursday 15th October – Slay, Glasgow, UK
Saturday 17th October – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, UK
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Photo credit: Cécile Lopes
Aural Aggravation 