Chesney Hawkes to play Exeter Phoenix in March 2026 as part of UK Comeback Tour

Chesney Hawkes will return to Exeter next spring, with a headline show confirmed at Exeter Phoenix on Sunday 22 March 2026, as part of a UK tour celebrating his recent musical comeback.

The singer, best known for the 1991 hit The One and Only, has enjoyed renewed attention over the past year following the release of his latest album Living Arrows and a series of high-profile television and radio appearances. 

The Exeter date will close a nationwide tour that includes venues in London, Manchester and Birmingham.

For Exeter, the concert adds another high-profile name to the programme at Exeter Phoenix, one of the city’s best-known cultural venues. 

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Located in the city centre, Exeter Phoenix is a multi-arts space that hosts live music, theatre, comedy, cinema and exhibitions, and has a reputation for attracting both emerging artists and established performers in a more intimate setting.

Local music fans have welcomed the announcement. 

Exeter resident, Sarah Collins, said she remembered Hawkes’ early success clearly. “The One and Only was everywhere when I was growing up,” she said. 

“It’s great to see him coming back to Exeter and doing a venue like the Phoenix. It feels quite special.”

Another local resident, Mark Reynolds from St Thomas, said Hawkes’ recent work had caught his attention. 

“I watched him on Celebrity Big Brother and then listened to the new album out of curiosity,” he said. “It’s much more thoughtful than I expected.”

Hawkes’ comeback album Living Arrows was named BBC Radio 2’s Album of the Week and has produced three Radio 2-playlisted singles, including Loud, Get A Hold Of Yourself and Live Forever. 

He has also appeared on BBC Radio 2’s Piano Room and recently reached the final of Celebrity Big Brother, raising his profile with a wider audience.

Produced and co-written by BRIT Award winner and Grammy nominee Jake Gosling, Living Arrows blends pop and rock with personal songwriting that explores family, loss and resilience. 

The album features guest appearances from Nik Kershaw and Hawkes’ brother Jodie, and includes more reflective tracks such as Surprise Yourself alongside upbeat material like Nobody Like You.

Regular gig-goers say the choice of venue adds to the appeal. 

“Exeter Phoenix always feels close to the artist,” said Hannah Moore, who attends concerts at the venue. 

“You don’t get that kind of atmosphere in arenas. It’s one of the reasons people travel into Exeter for gigs.”

Tickets for the Exeter Phoenix show start at £26 and are now on sale. 

The performance is expected to attract both long-standing fans and newer listeners, continuing Exeter Phoenix’s role as a key part of the city’s live music and cultural scene.