Miles Ahead of the Rest

Words and Photos by Adam Kennedy

Adam Kennedy speaks with Indie-rock star Miles Kane ahead of his upcoming show on Tyneside.

Following the release of his sixth studio album, Sunlight In The Shadows, Miles Kane will bring his blistering live show across the UK and Europe through January, February, and March 2026 for a run of headline dates that will include a pit stop at NX in Newcastle next week.

Miles spent much of last year in the studio working on his latest album. “This time last year, I was making the album. I was in Nashville recording Sunlight in the Shadows, which was scheduled for release in October. And it was just the best. I had the most fun I've ever had making an album,” said Miles. “It was so free flowing, it was just great. And I love the relationship I've got with Dan [Auerbach from the Black Keys, producer of the album]. And being on that label [Easy Eye Sound]. We want to do another one together.”

With little in the way of live shows in 2025, Miles is raring to go ahead of his UK tour. “I'm ready just to be rocking now. This will be the first time we're playing these songs live,” he says. “I think I'm going to be playing nine or ten tunes off this album in the set and giving it a real go.”

Dan Auerbach is a producer in high demand these days. How did the opportunity to work with The Black Keys frontman come about? “I reached out, and he said yes. I went over to Nashville on my own to meet him, and honest to God, as soon as I walked in there, we just had this connection. And after the first day, he was like, bro, I'd love to produce this record for you and sign you to my label,” recalls Miles. “That was never in the plan A, but it was just amazing.” Miles adds: “I really enjoy working with him and he's a top guy. And I think he really gets me and we both have a buzz off each other. And it's that simple, really.”

With his latest record, did Miles have a particular sound in mind from the off? “We didn't demo this album, which was great. We just wrote them all on the acoustic and a notepad, just so the song stood up. So, in the studio, when we got the band in, we were just feeling it out,” he says. “I just wanted to make a rock and roll/surf record with a bit of T-Rex and a bit of Link Wray.”

Link Wray is an artist whom Miles admires. “He's my favourite guitarist of all time and always has been, always will. And even last year, or the year before, I did this little EP called Miles Kane and The Evils, which is a four-track instrumental, very influenced by Link Wray. So, just that style of playing, that sound, that's just my go-to,” explains Miles. “And that with Dick Dale and the Ventures - I love all that surf stuff.”

Just one glance at Miles’ tour itinerary is enough to make anyone feel tired. With a busy run of shows across the UK and Europe over the coming months. “There's going to be some more to be announced,” he proclaims. “This is the most extensive run that I've done, and it's quite nice to sort of do it as one thing. And it's so all or nothing, isn't it? You have two months and no gigs, and then it's all at once. But I feel good.” He continues: “I feel quite lucky, and I think it's quite cool that we can go to all of these places in Europe and do boss gigs. I think it's a testament to the work we've put in.”

With a new album and an extensive discography behind him, how will Miles go about picking a setlist for his forthcoming shows? “I think we're going to be switching it up each night to let us swap songs in and out. Because if you add them and then you add the dead certs of Inhaler, Come Closer, Don't Forget Who You Are, One Man Band, all these ones, you're already at seventeen. So, it's like, we just have to switch-a-rooney. It's a good subs bench.”

The artist will arrive on Tyneside as part of his run. But does he enjoy performing in the North East? “Love it, mate. We always have a wild gig, and hopefully it's still the same,” explains Miles. “I'm really excited to play a lot of these songs off the new album, as well as the old ones.”

For those attending the show, leopard print attire is a must. “There's this artist that I like, and I said, can you paint this little lamp for me? Cut a long story short, we painted all of the gear, everything's leopard print now. So, yeah, it's all gone a bit leopard print, and I'm here for it,” he says. “I get obsessed with things. I love red, so I'm painting my living room all red. I just love creating little worlds, basically, I guess.”

Looking at the rest of 2026, does Miles have the rest of the year mapped out? “We've got some outdoor gigs that we're doing every weekend with Weller over the summer, and then I think this tour could be going to the US in April/May, so this first half is really mapped out,” explains Miles. “And then, in the midst of that, I'm doing bits of writing. So, the first half is complete. And then let's see when we're doing it, and the mojo's up, we will see what happens in the second half of the year. I'm booked up pretty much the first half.”

Miles Kane will perform at NX in Newcastle on Tuesday, 3rd of February for ticket information and further details, please visit: https://www.nxnewcastle.com.