English art rock quintet Squid make their Barbican debut in 2026. Praised by The Quietus as “the most exciting and volatile the group has ever sounded”, Squid’s latest album Cowards is an exploration of evil; nine stories whose protagonists reckon with cults, charisma and apathy. The album ranges over textures of folk, kosmische, psychedelia, jazz and electronics, extending from an already acclaimed catalogue of chart-topping hits that marked a new era of experimentation in British guitar music. Formed in Brighton in 2016, the quintet of Louis Borlase, Arthur Leadbetter, Laurie Nankivell, Anton Pearson and Ollie Judge have spent the past decade cementing their reputation as one of the most inventive bands in art rock, known for their intricate and ever evolving live performances. For 2026, Squid will commemorate their first decade as a band whilst looking firmly ahead with this special Barbican Hall performance as they celebrate Rough Trade’s 50th anniversary.