The Departure head out next week on their first UK tour for almost two years. The massive 31 date tour starts next Wednesday, 12th September in Norwich and finishes in their home town of Northampton on Friday 19th October.

Click here to book tickets 

The Departure have been hard at work in the studio recording their second album, the follow-up to 2005’s Dirty Words, with producer Ed Buller (Suede, Pulp). The as-yet-untitled new album will be released early next year, but to coincide with the tour they are giving away a free MP3 of new track 7 Years available now through www.thedeparture.com.

The song will not be released as single proper, but fans who attend the shows will have the chance to get hold of an extremely limited edition hand-stamped 7″ vinyl - 50 of these will be handed out per venue.

To listen to 7 Years as well as another brand new track Chemicals, you can go to www.myspace.com/thedeparturemusic

Tour dates:

12 Sep: Norwich Arts Centre
13 Sep: Leicester The Charlotte
14 Sep: Nottingham The Social
15 Sep: Preston 53 Degrees
17 Sep: Bristol Louisiana
18 Sep: Cardiff Barfly
19 Sep: Wrexham Central Station
21 Sep: Bath Moles
22 Sep: Exeter Cavern
23 Sep: Southampton Joiners
24 Sep: Brighton Barfly
25 Sep: Southend Chinnery’s
27 Sep: Derby Susumi Live
28 Sep: Leeds Cockpit
29 Sep: Hull Adelphi
30 Sep: Oxford Zodiac
02 Oct: Birmingham Barfly
03 Oct: Stoke Sugarmill
04 Oct: York Fibbers
05 Oct: Middlesbrough Cornerhouse
07 Oct: Edinburgh Cabaret Volitaire
08 Oct: Glasgow King Tuts
09 Oct: Aberdeen Tunnels
10 Oct: Dundee Westport Bar
12 Oct: Carlisle Brickyard
13 Oct: Newcastle Academy 2
14 Oct: Manchester Roadhouse
15 Oct: Liverpool Barfly
17 Oct: Sheffield Leadmill
18 Oct: London Water Rats
19 Oct: Northampton Soundhaus