Legendary experimental rock band Swans have officially announced their seventeenth studio album, Birthing, set for release on May 30 via Young God Records/Mute. To support the highly anticipated album, the band will embark on an extensive North American tour, kicking off on September 4 in Philadelphia.
Tickets went on sale Friday, March 21, with Little Annie & Paul Wallfisch set to open throughout the tour. Fans can purchase tickets through the Young God Records website.
A preview of Birthing, produced by Michael Gira and recorded at Soundfabrik Berlin, has already been unveiled through the newly released single "I Am A Tower."
[ Birthing Album Cover ]
Reflecting on the creation of the album, Gira shared his thoughts on its evolution and what the future holds for Swans:
“Much of this album developed during our year-long Swans tour in 2023–2024, with songs like ‘The Healers,’ ‘I Am a Tower,’ ‘Birthing,’ ‘Guardian Spirit,’ ‘Rope,’ and ‘Away’ taking shape on the road before being further refined and orchestrated in the studio. Two tracks, ‘Red Yellow’ and ‘The Merge,’ came together solely in the studio.” Every song started with just me, an acoustic guitar, and a vision. But through the magic of live performance, improvisation, and the extraordinary musicians I work with, these skeletal ideas transformed into the immersive soundscapes you hear on Birthing.”
However, Gira also hinted at a major shift in the band's future: “This album, along with our recent live release Live Rope, represents my final deep dive into the all-consuming sonic landscapes that have defined Swans. After a final tour in this mode in late 2025, Swans will continue, but in a much more stripped-down form.” and also says that “Hints of that new direction can already be heard in moments throughout Birthing. I hope that this album offers a space for listeners to dream and immerse themselves in something meaningful.”
Pre-orders for Birthing are available now through Young God Records. The album will be released in triple vinyl (housed in a brown chipboard sleeve), double CD (brown chipboard digipak), and digital formats.
Initial pressings of the vinyl and CD editions will also include an exclusive bonus DVD, featuring: Swans Live 2024 (Rope) The Beggar – a concert film by Marco Porsia, capturing the band's most recent U.S. tour., and I Wonder If I’m Singing What You’re Thinking Me To Sing – a documentary by Christopher Nicholson focusing on Gira’s 2022 solo tour.
Swans North American Tour Dates:
September 4 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
September 5 – Washington, DC – The Howard Theatre
September 6 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
September 9 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater
September 10 – Austin, TX – Mohawk Austin
September 12 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater
September 13 – Tucson, AZ – The Rialto Theatre
September 15-17 – Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room
September 20-21 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
September 23 – Seattle, WA – The Neptune Theatre
September 24 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall
September 27 – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater
September 28 – Omaha, NE – Waiting Room Showroom
September 30 – Chicago, IL – Cabaret Metro
October 1 – Detroit, MI – The Magic Bag
October 3 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix Concert Theatre
October 4 – Montreal, QC – Théâtre National
October 6 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
October 7 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel
Before the North American leg, Swans frontman Michael Gira will embark on a solo European tour alongside Kristof Hahn, with 12 shows scheduled, including a performance at Roadburn Festival.
Michael Gira’s European Solo Tour Dates:
April 9 – Prague, CZ – Meet Factory
April 10 – Linz, AT – Grüner Anker
April 12 – Trieste, IT – Teatro Miela
April 13 – Milan, IT – Spazio Teatro 89
April 15 – Brussels, BE – Ancienne Belgique
April 17 – London, UK – EartH
April 18 – Paris, FR – Café de la Danse
April 20 – Tilburg, NL – Roadburn Festival
April 21 – Cologne, DE – Helios 37
April 23 – Leipzig, DE – Heilandskirche
April 25 – Warsaw, PL – Palladium
April 27 – Berlin, DE – Heimathafen Neukölln
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