Wreckless Eric is a survivor, a storyteller, and a sonic architect who has spent nearly half a century proving he is far more than just “that song”.
On Thursday, 26 February 2026, he arrives at the Face Bar to deliver a performance that defies the easy nostalgia of the seventies, replacing it with something far more raw and unpredictable.
Armed with electric and acoustic guitars and a suite of custom-built electronics, Eric will be performing alone, guided by whim rather than expectation.
While the enduring, world-conquering “Whole Wide World” is almost certain to appear, this isn’t a museum piece.
The set will pivot around the grit and atmosphere of his latest acclaimed album, England Screaming, released on Tapete Records in late 2025.
Those attending should prepare for an evening of sharp songs, winding stories, and experimental soundscapes.
The past 47 years have transformed Wreckless Eric from a Stiff Records breakout star into a singular force in alternative music; he isn’t here to recreate 1977 … he’s here to show you exactly where he is now.
The Symphony of Filth
England Screaming is a project born from long-standing regret and a desire for musical exorcism.
The album features new recordings of songs Eric originally wrote between 1982 and 1984, a period he describes as his true “coming of age” as a songwriter.
At the time, he was living in a two-up two-down in Chatham, Kent, having been “cut adrift” from the music business and struggling with a reputation for self-destruction.
The original recordings of these songs were released 40 years ago on an album Eric admits he grew to loathe. For decades, he kept the record hidden in the depths of his archive, unable to even listen to it.
During the winter of 2024, while rebuilding a house in upstate New York, he finally decided to lay those ghosts to rest.
Working from memory alone to avoid “infecting” the new process with the failures of the past, he re-recorded the material to finally realise his original vision: a psychedelic garage sound with undercurrents of broken easy listening – a style he calls the “Symphony of Filth.”
You can find out more about the album and his processes here: https://www.wrecklesseric.com/england-screaming-sleeve-notes.html#/
When is Wreckless Eric coming to Reading, and how can I get tickets?
The event will take place on Thursday, 26 February 2026. Doors open at 8pm with the music starting at 8:30pm.
The venue for the evening is the Face Bar, located at Ambrose Place, Chatham Street, Reading, RG1 7JL. The Face Bar is located at Ambrose Place, Reading, RG1 7JL. Please note that this is a 14+ event; those under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
This event is presented by Future Transmissions.
Tickets are available now via the official ticket partner for £18.20, including a booking fee.
For more details, or to book, log on to: https://wegottickets.com/f/15393
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