’90s rock band comes back together for new album and tour 3 years after farewell announcement
A popular ’90s rock band is making a comeback with a new album and tour after initially announcing a farewell tour and final album three years ago. Lead singer Kevin Martin of Candlebox revealed in a recent interview on the Stupid And Contagious Podcast that the band is reuniting for a string of spring concerts in 2026. Additionally, they are currently working on their first album since the release of “The Long Goodbye” in 2023, which coincided with their last tour of the same name.
Reflecting on his decision to step away from music in 2023, Martin shared with the podcast that he intended to focus on his family and personal life. However, as fate would have it, opportunities arose that reignited his passion for music. When asked to tour with Bush, an offer he accepted due to his long-standing friendship with Gavin Rossdale, the original Candlebox guitarist Peter Klett expressed his desire to rejoin the band. This led to the decision to embark on the “We Can’t Quit You, Babe” tour in 2026.
Looking ahead, Martin teased exciting plans for 2026 and 2027, mentioning a significant summer event, a fall tour, and potential performances in South America and Europe based on the reception of their new record. Candlebox, hailing from Seattle, achieved immense success with their quadruple platinum debut album in 1993, featuring hits such as “Change,” “You,” and “Far Behind.”
Despite initially disbanding in 2000, the band reunited in 2006 and released five more albums over the years. Their supposed final tour and album in 2023, “The Long Goodbye,” saw Martin expressing his desire to retire and redirect his focus to family after the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reflecting on his decision-making process during the pandemic, Martin highlighted a realization of missing out on personal joys and relationships while entrenched in the demands of his music career. Despite intending for 2023 to mark a definitive endpoint in his musical journey, the allure of performing on stage once again proved too strong to resist, with fans and his wife acknowledging that his passion for music was far from extinguished.
With Candlebox set to perform at 20 concerts from February to July, fans are eagerly anticipating their upcoming shows. Tickets for the shows are available through various platforms, including Vivid Seats, StubHub, and Seat Geek. Stay tuned for more updates from the band as they embark on this exciting new chapter in their musical legacy.