Big Special address political turmoil with their new single ‘Plaintive Native’

Big Special have released their latest single ‘Plaintive Native’, following their surprise second album ‘National Average’ in July via SO Recordings.

Frontman Joe Hicklin says of the track, “The song is about political turmoil clouding the minds of the nation that turns moral conviction into apathy. It’s about worry for the future and a lack of hope. It’s the confusion of trying to be good when everything is so bad and not knowing how to navigate and trust all the wagging fingers and waving fists.”

Big Special, consisting of Joe Hicklin and Callum Moloney, are currently on tour in Europe.

The dates read:

OCTOBER
15 Lux, Hannover, DE
16 Kantine, Berlin, DE (Sold Out)
17 Chmury, Warsaw, PL
18 Café V lese, Prague, CZ
22 Arena, Vienna, AUT
23 Santeria, Milan, IT
24 Exil, Zurich, CH
25 Orangehouse, Munich, DE
28 MTC, Cologne, DE (Sold Out)
29 La Boule Noire, Paris, FR (Sold Out)
31 Razzmatazz 3, Barcelona, ESP

NOVEMBER
1 El Sol, Madrid, ESP
8 Mutations Festival, Brighton, UK

DECEMBER
1 Neptune Theatre, Seattle, USA *
3 The Filmore, San Francisco, USA *
4 The Regent, Los Angeles, USA *
7 Cobra Lounge, Chicago, USA (Headline)
8 Rockwell, Boston, USA (Headline)
9 Irving Plaza, New York, USA *
11 Concert Hall, Toronto, Canada *

*Supporting Public Service Broadcasting

2026:

FEBRUARY
13 Waterfront, Norwich, UK
14 Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, UK (Sold Out)
15 Digital, Newcastle, UK
18 University Stylus, Leeds, UK
19 SWG3, Glasgow, UK
20 New Century Hall, Manchester, UK
21 02 Institute, Birmingham, UK
24 Electric Bristol, Bristol, UK
25 1865, Southampton, UK
27 The Roundhouse, London UK

MARCH
6 The Workmans Club, Dublin, IE
7 Ulster Sports Club, Belfast, UK

Tickets are currently on sale.