MERCURY REV

Since their formation in 1989 in Buffalo, New York, Mercury Rev has carved out a unique place for themselves in indie rock. Their music combines dreamy lyrics, atmospheric and lush instrumentation, and fairy-tale melodies. Live, they add a solid layer of rock to the mix. The band is known for exploring artistic boundaries and creating a style that is often described as dream pop. They now have twelve albums to their name.

Breakthrough with Deserter's Songs

In 1998, they put themselves on the map with their fourth and widely acclaimed album Deserter's Songs. The album was named Album of the Year by NME and features in lists such as Pitchfork's 100 Favourite Records of the 1990s, Melody Maker's All Time Top 100 Albums (2000) and Uncut's 200 Greatest Albums of All Time ... With timeless songs such as Holes and Goddess On A Highway, they finally broke through to the mainstream.

“a rarity in indie rock: a band who have continually evolved their sound, pushing at the boundaries of what rock music actually means over 25 years, borrowing from jazz, funk, doo-wop, techno, folk and more along the way.” (The Guardian)

All is Dream – 25 years later

The follow-up album, All is Dream, was released in 2001 – exactly 25 years ago – and is equally impressive. The album is known for its melancholic atmosphere, rich arrangements and poetic lyrics, combining rock with orchestral and psychedelic influences. Jonathan Donahue's unique voice contributes greatly to the atmosphere of the album. With themes such as love, loss and self-reflection, the album also has a strong emotional charge.

All Is Dream builds on the style of Deserter's Songs, but sounds more intense and poetic. With songs such as The Dark Is Rising and Tides of the Moon, the album touched both fans and critics and received worldwide acclaim. An album that, a quarter of a century later, still unites old and new fans.

“Like Disney on methadone scored by Jack Nitzsche with a gun against his own head, trying to remember this soundtrack he once wanted to make, which teamed Judy Garland and Neil Young”, according to Uncut (Album Of The Month, 2001).

Support: Mick Harvey & Amanda Acevedo

Mick Harvey and Amanda Acevedo will join Mercury Rev on this tour off the back of their third collaborative album Psychedelia in White (due in August 2026). It follows their 2025 deep dive into the songs of Jackson C. Frank, Golden Mirrors, and their 2023 debut, Phantasmagoria in Blue.

Harvey is renowned for his work with Nick Cave's Bad Seeds, PJ Harvey, The Birthday Party et al. His collaboration with Mexican singer Acevedo began back in 2021 during the pandemic and has blossomed into a deeply connected artistic partnership.

Press

• “majestic chaos” (Rolling Stone)
• “shimmering psychedelic pop, immersive indie-rock, [and] spectacularly engrossing passages of sumptuous instrumentation.” (BBC)
• “Few comparable cases of successful sonic metamorphosis exist in the past decade … ethereal, exultant music for ears deadened by sex’n’drugs’n’guitars cliché.” (Uncut)
• “There has always been a visionary, veil-tearing quality to Mercury Rev’s music…” (Mojo)

More info

Mercury Rev Jonathan Donahue (vocals and guitar), Sean "Grasshopper" Mackowiak (guitar, keyboards and vocals), Marion Genser (keyboards) and Jesse Chandler (keyboards, saxophone and flute)

www.mercuryrev.com
www.mickharvey.com