Birmingham duo Big Special drop “Sluglife” via SO Recordings today, kicking off 2026 fresh from completing their first-ever North American tour last month. Vocalist Joe Hicklin calls it a song about living low to the ground and going slow, feeling guilt for needing time to pull yourself up by your bootstraps while working through the self-hate that can come through hard times. The single follows October’s “PLAINTIVE NATIVE,” November’s “DRAGGED UP A HILL (and thrown down the other side),” and a Sleaford Mods collaboration on “The Good Life,” which featured Game Of Thrones and Star Wars actress Gwendoline Christie in a captivating one-shot video. Built on a lifelong friendship, Big Special ground their music in honesty, dark humor, and a clear sense of purpose, with their connection remaining central as their sound continues to grow and reflect the balance of ambition and emotional truth that defines their work.
| Tour Dates [Tickets]: |
| 02/13 – Norwich, UK @ Waterfront |
| 02/14 – Nottingham, UK @ Rescue Rooms [SOLD OUT] |
| 02/15 – Newcastle, UK @ Digital |
| 02/18 – Leeds, UK @ University Stylus |
| 02/19 – Glasgow, UK @ SWG3 Warehouse [SOLD OUT] |
| 02/20 – Manchester, UK @ New Century Hall [SOLD OUT] |
| 02/21 – Birmingham, UK @ O2 Institute [SOLD OUT] |
| 02/24 – Bristol, UK @ Electric Bristol |
| 02/25 – Southampton, UK @ The 1865 |
| 02/27 – London, UK @ Roundhouse |
| 03/06 – Dublin, UK @ The Workman’s Club [SOLD OUT] |
| 03/07 – Belfast, UK @ Ulster Sports Club [SOLD OUT] |
| 05/21 – Derbyshire, UK @ Bearded Theory Festival |
| 06/20 – Glasgow, UK @ TRSMT Festival |
| 08/14 – Hampshire, UK @ Boomtown Festival |