Boygenius is an American indie rock supergroup consisting of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus. The trio released their self-titled EP Boygenius in 2018 to widespread critical acclaim. Fans in the UK have been eager to see Boygenius perform live, but the group has yet to announce any UK tour dates. In this article, we’ll look at Boygenius’ history, their success so far, and analyze the likelihood of the group coming to the UK for a tour someday.
Who is Boygenius?
Boygenius is composed of three of the most acclaimed young singer-songwriters in indie rock:
- Julien Baker – Released two solo albums and known for her intimate songwriting and powerful vocals.
- Phoebe Bridgers – Debut album Stranger in the Alps earned her critical acclaim. Known for her confessional lyrics and genre-blending sound.
- Lucy Dacus – Bold storytelling songwriter with two solo albums out. Praised for her keen observational lyrics.
The trio came together in 2018 after realizing their mutual artistic admiration for each other. They released their self-titled EP Boygenius on November 9, 2018 via Matador Records.
Success of Boygenius EP
The 6-song Boygenius EP was met with widespread critical acclaim:
- Pitchfork gave it a score of 8.5/10 and called it “warm, intimate, and disarmingly honest.”
- Rolling Stone called the EP “stunning” and praised the sharp songwriting and tight vocal harmonies.
- NPR said “Together, they’ve assembled a short but powerful document of what collaboration can do.”
The EP also debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart. Songs like “Me & My Dog” and “Stay Down” quickly became fan favorites. There was buzz and momentum building around this exciting new supergroup.
Have They Toured Outside North America Before?
All three members of Boygenius were relatively established artists prior to forming the group, having released solo albums and done significant touring in North America, Europe, and Australia.
Julien Baker’s Touring History
Julien Baker had toured extensively as a solo artist before Boygenius, supporting her two critically acclaimed albums Sprained Ankle (2015) and Turn Out The Lights (2017).
Some highlights of her pre-Boygenius touring include:
- Multiple US tours
- European tours in 2016 and 2018
- UK shows in 2016, 2017, and 2018
- Australia tour in 2018
So Baker had significant touring experience in Europe, the UK, and beyond before joining Boygenius.
Phoebe Bridgers’ Touring History
Like Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers had done substantial touring before the formation of Boygenius:
- Multiple US tours as support act and headliner
- European tours supporting The National and Conor Oberst
- UK headlining dates in 2018
- Australian tour in 2018
Bridgers had begun to break out as a solo artist in 2017-2018, playing sold-out headline shows prior to Boygenius in major markets like London.
Lucy Dacus’ Touring History
Though the youngest member of the group, Lucy Dacus also had significant pre-Boygenius touring under her belt:
- US tours supporting Indigo Girls in 2016 and The Mountain Goats in 2017
- European tour supporting The Mountain Goats in 2017
- First UK headlining dates in 2018
- Opened for bands like the War on Drugs, Passion Pit, and Death Cab for Cutie
So all three members were experienced touring musicians who had played shows worldwide, indicating an ability and willingness to tour outside just North America.
Have Boygenius Themselves Toured or Played Shows?
Boygenius the trio have had very limited live shows so far. They have played only a handful of concerts together:
- 3 shows in NYC and Philadelphia in October 2018 around EP release
- 6 shows in California in November 2018
- Austin City Limits Festival in October 2019
- Wilco’s Sky Blue Sky Festival in Mexico in January 2020
So in their first two years as a group, Boygenius played less than 15 total live shows, all of them in North America.
They have not done a proper tour yet, either as a headliner or supporting another artist. Fans are still waiting for their first full-scale Boygenius tour.
Why Have They Played So Few Shows?
A few factors likely contribute to Boygenius’ light touring schedule so far:
- All three members still have active solo careers, so scheduling is difficult.
- The supergroup originated more as a studio project than a touring act.
- Demand for the group spiked after EP release; they likely weren’t planning to tour much initially.
Scheduling will continue to be tricky with three rising stars’ busy calendars. But the demand is certainly there for more Boygenius shows when they can coordinate.
Is Boygenius Planning to Tour the UK or Europe?
Boygenius have not announced any formal tour plans. But here are some positive signs pointing towards an eventual UK/Europe outing:
- All three have toured the UK extensively as solo acts.
- There’s enormous interest in the group coming from fans and media overseas.
- Boygenius received rock album of the year nominations from UK outlets like The Line of Best Fit in 2018.
- Matador Records, who they’re signed to, has offices in London and a strong European presence.
Phoebe Bridgers said in a 2019 interview “We want to tour, we’re trying to figure out when we can do that.”
With the demand there, it seems likely only a matter of time before their schedules align for an overseas trip.
Expected Venues If They Tour the UK
Based on their solo touring history and the size of the venues Boygenius played in the US, here are some likely venues they could play if they tour the UK:
- London – Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Roundhouse
- Manchester – Albert Hall, O2 Ritz
- Glasgow – SWG3, Saint Luke’s
- Bristol – SWX, Thekla
- Leeds – Stylus, Brudenell Social Club
Mid-size venues in the 2,000 to 3,000 capacity range seem a strong bet for the group.
How Quickly Would Boygenius UK Tour Sell Out?
Very quickly. Looking at metrics like:
- High streaming numbers – over 185 million Spotify streams for the EP.
- Rapidly growing solo fanbases – both Bridgers and Baker played larger UK venues in 2022 versus their last tours.
- High demand – their 2018 US shows all sold out instantly.
…any Boygenius UK tour would likely sell out nearly immediately after being announced. Their Brooklyn show in 2018 sold out in just 10 minutes. The trio’s fanbases have only grown since then.
Safe to say UK fans will need to be ready to buy tickets the moment they go on sale for a chance to see them.
How Much Would Boygenius UK Tickets Cost?
While any pricing is speculative, looking at similar buzzy mid-size indie acts touring the UK recently can give an idea of potential Boygenius ticket prices:
Artist | Venue | Ticket Price |
---|---|---|
Angel Olsen | Roundhouse | £30 |
Sharon Van Etten | Roundhouse | £27.50 |
Perfume Genius | Troxy | £25 |
Something in the £25 to £30 range feels realistic for the trio. Premium tickets or larger venues could go slightly higher.
Given the immense demand, Boygenius could easily charge more and still sell out quickly. But that range seems in line with similar indie acts.
How Would Boygenius Be Received in the UK?
Almost certainly extremely well. Looking at factors like:
- UK critics already loving their EP and solo work – Metacritic scores in the 80s.
- Brit award nominations – Bridgers for International Female Solo Artist in 2022.
- All have had buzzy solo tours in UK before – lots of existing fans.
- UK crowds tend to love harmony-driven Americana and indie folk.
Baker, Bridgers, and Dacus would be greeted as rock stars by adoring UK fans. The glowing reviews and immediate sold-out shows on their inaugural tour would likely encourage them to return and tour the region much more extensively.
The UK has been central to the rise of artists like Fleet Foxes, The National, and Bon Iver. Boygenius’ sound seems tailor-made to succeed in that market.
Likelihood of Boygenius Coming to the UK
Looking at all the above factors – touring history, demand, reception, etc – it seems **extremely likely** Boygenius will tour the UK and Europe extensively sometime in the next 1-2 years.
The trio has discussed wanting to tour together when they can align schedules. The demand from fans and media is definitely there in the UK. It’s likely just a matter of time before they make it happen.
When Boygenius does finally cross the pond, expect a major moment for indie music fans. Their much-awaited tour is sure to sell out quickly and be a huge success. The wait will be worth it.
Conclusion
In summary, based on Boygenius’ members’ extensive history of touring in Europe, the immense demand to see the trio live, and their sky-high commercial potential, it seems nearly inevitable that Boygenius will tour the UK and Europe soon.
UK fans should keep an eye out for tour announcements in 2023/2024. When Boygenius does arrive, they are sure to receive a rapturous response.