Tubular Bells in Concert is heading to Australia in June 2026 as part of a global celebration marking 50 years since one of the most influential instrumental works in modern music history.
The landmark concert experience brings Tubular Bells to the stage in full, performed by an expansive live ensemble led and arranged by Mike Oldfield’s long-term collaborator Robin A Smith. The program will also feature extended sections from Tubular Bells II and Tubular Bells III, alongside the worldwide hit Moonlight Shadow.
First composed by Mike Oldfield at just 17 years old, Tubular Bells was recorded almost entirely by Oldfield himself and released in 1973. The album went on to become the highest-selling instrumental album of all time, gaining global recognition when its opening theme was used in the soundtrack to The Exorcist.
Across three albums released over 27 years, the Tubular Bells series charts Oldfield’s relentless musical innovation. Tubular Bells II, released in 1992, was famously premiered at Edinburgh Castle in a broadcast that became one of the most viewed and streamed musical events of its time. Tubular Bells III followed in 1998, with its soaring excerpt Far Above the Clouds later featured in the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympic Games.
Robin A Smith has worked closely with Oldfield for more than 25 years, collaborating on Tubular Bells II and III and leading major live performances at Edinburgh Castle, Horse Guards Parade in London, Berlin’s Millennium Bell and the London Olympics Opening Ceremony. His reimagined live production has toured extensively worldwide, earning acclaim for its scale, precision and emotional power.
“We have been lucky enough to tour our new reimagined version of Tubular Bells extensively around the world, a show that has been embraced by so many,” Smith said. “We thought how wonderful it would be to incorporate music from all of Mike’s three major works so everyone can delight in his sensational themes and dramatic episodes.”
Mike Oldfield will not appear at these performances, but the 50th Anniversary World Tour offers Australian audiences a rare opportunity to experience the full scope of his visionary work live, performed by musicians who have been central to its history.
Tubular Bells Concert Dates
MELBOURNE – Hamer Hall – Wednesday June 3
ADELAIDE – Entertainment Centre – Friday June 5
PERTH – His Majesty’s Theatre – Saturday June 6
BRISBANE – QPAC – Wednesday June 10
NECASTLE – Civic Theatre – Thursday June 11
CANBERRA – Canberra Theatre – Friday June 12
SYDNEY – Sydney Opera House – Saturday June 13
Tickets on sale at www.davidroywilliams.com
