Some albums arrive, make a bit of noise, and quietly fade away.
Others become legends.
Then there are albums like Pink.
Twenty years after its original release, Japanese noise rock pioneers Boris are preparing to celebrate one of the most influential underground heavy records ever made with a huge UK and European tour that promises walls of distortion, mind-bending psychedelia, and enough volume to shake the foundations of every venue they visit.
The trio have officially announced their “Do You Remember Pink Days?” tour, marking the 20th anniversary of the album that helped propel them from cult Japanese underground heroes to internationally respected innovators.
And for UK fans, this will be their first opportunity to see Boris on these shores in three years.
Not bad for a band that continues to defy every rule in rock music.
๐ธ Why Pink Still Matters
Originally released in Japan during 2005 before receiving an international release through Southern Lord in 2006, Pink arrived at a time when heavy music was becoming increasingly polished and predictable.
Boris had other ideas.
The album blended crushing doom riffs, punk energy, psychedelic experimentation, noise rock chaos and moments of unexpected beauty into a record that felt completely unique.
It wasn’t just heavy.
It was an experience.
Songs such as Pink, Woman On The Screen, Nothing Special, Blackout, and Farewell became fan favourites and helped establish Boris as one of the most adventurous bands operating anywhere on the planet.
Even now, twenty years later, Pink remains a record that sounds utterly timeless.
While countless albums from the mid-2000s feel trapped within their era, Pink still feels fresh, dangerous and impossible to categorise.
Which is probably exactly how Boris like it.
๐ค Boris Reflect On The Album’s Legacy
Announcing the anniversary tour, the band released a statement that perfectly captures the mysterious aura surrounding the album.
“PINK – a mystery even to ourselves. This magic still leads us on a journey, even after 20 years. Our first trip to Europe & the UK in three years. Whether you remember those days or not, please experience the increasingly mysterious glow of pink. The three of us will move you with our physical expression that will shake the very space.”
If that doesn’t make you want to buy a ticket immediately, we’re not sure what will.
๐ฅ A Live Experience Unlike Anything Else
Trying to describe a Boris concert to somebody who has never seen them is a bit like trying to explain the taste of electricity.
You can try.
But until you’ve stood in front of those amplifiers and felt the sound physically move through your chest, you never truly understand it.
Over the years Boris have earned a reputation as one of the most captivating live bands in heavy music.
One minute they’re delivering thunderous doom riffs that feel like tectonic plates colliding beneath your feet.
The next they’re floating through dreamy psychedelic passages before launching headfirst into noise-rock chaos.
It’s loud.
It’s unpredictable.
It’s beautiful.
And sometimes it’s completely bonkers.
Exactly how we like it here at The Riff Report.
๐ฌ๐ง UK Tour Dates
British fans won’t have to travel far to experience the pink madness.
The UK leg begins in Bristol before taking in Newcastle, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, London and Brighton.
UK Dates
๐ October 10 โ Bristol โ Strange Brew
๐ October 11 โ Newcastle โ Digital
๐ October 12 โ Glasgow โ Oran Mor
๐ October 13 โ Leeds โ Brudenell Social Club
๐ October 14 โ Manchester โ Gorilla
๐ October 15 โ London โ Electric Brixton
๐ October 16 โ Brighton โ Concorde 2
Several of these venues are intimate enough to guarantee an incredibly immersive experience.
And by immersive, we mean you’ll probably still be hearing Boris riffs while trying to sleep three days later.
๐ Full European Tour Dates
The anniversary celebrations stretch across Europe throughout October and November.
October
๐ Verona, Italy โ Colorificio Kroen
๐ Milan, Italy โ Legend Club
๐ Ljubljana, Slovenia โ Orto Bar
๐ Vienna, Austria โ Arena
๐ Bristol, UK โ Strange Brew
๐ Newcastle, UK โ Digital
๐ Glasgow, UK โ Oran Mor
๐ Leeds, UK โ Brudenell Social Club
๐ Manchester, UK โ Gorilla
๐ London, UK โ Electric Brixton
๐ Brighton, UK โ Concorde 2
๐ Belgium โ Desertfest Belgium
๐ Paris, France โ Petit Bain
๐ Nantes, France โ Le Ferrailleur
๐ Madrid, Spain โ Mon
๐ Barcelona, Spain โ La Nau
๐ Toulouse, France โ Le Rex
๐ Aarau, Switzerland โ Kiff
๐ Cologne, Germany โ Helios37
๐ Osnabrรผck, Germany โ Bastard Club
๐ Berlin, Germany โ Bi Nuu
๐ Krakow, Poland โ Hype Park
November
๐ Warsaw, Poland โ Niebo
๐ Riga, Latvia โ Vagonu Hall
๐ Helsinki, Finland โ Kult
๐ Stockholm, Sweden โ Hus 7
๐ Malmรถ, Sweden โ Plan B
๐ Oslo, Norway โ Parkteatret
๐ Aarhus, Denmark โ Voxhall
๐ Hamburg, Germany โ Bhf Pauli
๐ Utrecht, Netherlands โ De Helling
๐ Bochum, Germany โ Bhf Langendreer
๐ Leipzig, Germany โ UT Connewitz
๐ Brno, Czechia โ Kabinet MUZ
๐๏ธ Ticket Information
Tickets for all UK and European dates go on sale at 9am BST / 10am CEST.
While official ticket prices vary depending on venue and country, fans are advised to move quickly. Boris have built a fiercely loyal following over the years and many of these venues have limited capacities.
๐ค The Riff Report Verdict
Twenty years after its release, Pink remains one of the most important underground heavy albums ever created.
It’s an album that helped blur the lines between doom, stoner rock, punk, noise, psychedelia and experimental music while inspiring countless bands along the way.
The fact that Boris continue to tour it two decades later is testament to just how special the record remains.
Whether you’ve been following Boris since the early days or you’re discovering them for the first time, this tour feels like a genuine event.
Expect massive riffs.
Expect mind-bending soundscapes.
Expect earplugs to become your best friend.
Most importantly, expect one of the most unique live experiences you’ll see all year.
The mysterious glow of pink is heading back to the UK, butt.
And we can’t wait. ๐ธ๐ฅ๐ค
Are You Going?
Will you be catching Boris in Bristol, Manchester, London, Glasgow or elsewhere on the tour?
Drop us a comment and let us know which show you’re heading to. We’ll see you down the front, trying to figure out whether our face is melting from the volume or the excitement.
