Honor Viola Beach's legacy. A special 10th anniversary rainbow vinyl reissue of their debut album, released by their own label. Out June 5.
- February 20, 2026
AceShowbiz - The debut album by Viola Beach will receive a special 10th anniversary vinyl reissue this summer, serving as a poignant tribute to the band and their manager. The release is orchestrated through Fuller Beans Records, the very label the group established before their tragic deaths in 2016.
Viola Beach—comprising Kris Leonard, River Reeves, Tomas Lowe, and Jack Dakin—alongside manager Craig Tarry, died in a road accident in Sweden on February 13, 2016. The upcoming reissue, announced on the band's official Instagram, is described as "a fitting celebration of what the bandmates and their manager did best together, make and perform wonderful music."
The commemorative vinyl is a rainbow-colored picture disc, a direct homage to the rainbow umbrellas the band was famously photographed with, which became a lasting symbol of their legacy. It is set for release on June 5, a decade after the album's original arrival.
In a heartbreaking yet triumphant moment, the Viola Beach album soared to Number One on the UK albums chart in August 2016. This achievement was significantly bolstered by a powerful tribute from Coldplay at Glastonbury, where Chris Martin performed their song 'Boys That Sing' and noted the band "reminded us of ourselves in our early days."
The album's posthumous success was fueled by an outpouring of support from the music community and fans worldwide. Other notable tributes included Blossoms playing a recording of the band during their secret set at Reading and Leeds, and a heartfelt film about Viola Beach being shown on the main stage screens at Leeds Festival.
This 2026 release marks the second vinyl issue of the album, following a first vinyl pressing for its fifth anniversary in 2022. The decision to release it through the band's own label adds a layer of profound significance, honoring the entrepreneurial spirit and close-knit partnership they shared.
The legacy of Viola Beach continues to resonate deeply within their hometown of Warrington and beyond. In 2021, a collective of Warrington musicians recorded a cover of the band's track 'Swings And Waterslides' to mark the fifth anniversary of the tragedy, and the families of the members have reflected on their lives and unfulfilled potential in moving interviews.
This special anniversary edition not only celebrates the infectious, guitar-driven pop music the group left behind but also solidifies their enduring place in the modern British music story. It stands as a vibrant, physical testament to a band whose promise was devastatingly cut short, ensuring their music continues to find new listeners.