Seven months after performing their first live shows in 20 years, Lush have announced the end of their reunion. The British shoegaze/Britpop band revealed the news earlier today on social media, and will play one final show as a band November 25 at Manchester Academy.
Though Lush released the Blind Spot EP in April, played Coachella Music & Arts Festival, and enjoyed a successful run of reunion shows in North America and Europe — including an excellent September show at Royale in Boston — the group’s status appeared shaky after bassist Phil King abruptly departed last month.
“It is now time for us to return to our families and homes, and bring our time together as a band to a close,” Lush write in a new statement. “We offer heartfelt thanks to all our fans — this reunion would never have happened without your overwhelming support and dedication.”
Though the band talked about releasing a new full-length album, those plans have evidently been scrapped. Modern English bassist Michael Conroy will fill in for King at their final show next weekend, leaving just singer/guitarists Emma Anderson and Miki Berenyi as original members. Elastica’s Justin Welch has filled in as drummer on this recent reunion, replacing the late Chris Acland, who died in October 1996.
Read the band’s statement below:
It’s been a fantastic year for Lush. We received an incredible reception to our Blind Spot EP and the three beautiful career-spanning 4AD releases, sold out two Roundhouse shows, toured North America with great success and had a ball at our European festival appearances. It’s been wonderful to revisit our old music and to create new material.
However, it is now time for us to return to our families and homes, and bring our time together as a band to a close. We offer heartfelt thanks to all our fans — this reunion would never have happened without your overwhelming support and dedication.
We would like to take this opportunity to announce that, for our last-ever performance at Manchester Academy on November 25th, Emma, Miki and Justin will be joined by former 4AD label mate Michael Conroy, bass player for Modern English. As with Justin’s involvement, Michael playing with Lush has a special significance for us as he was a very close friend of Chris’s.
Back in February, Lush released a single called “Out Of Control.” Listen to it below.