Wheatus Celebrates 25 Years with Special Tour and Original Member Return

As the countdown begins to Wheatus’s much-anticipated 25th anniversary tour, the band has announced the return of original member and multi-instrumentalist Philip A. Jimenez. The New York-based group is set to kick off their 18-date tour across the UK and Ireland on November 22, 2023, at the Dublin Academy. Fans can expect to hear their million-selling debut album, which includes the iconic hit “Teenage Dirtbag,” performed in its entirety at each show.

Jimenez’s return marks his first performance with Wheatus since 2001. The band, renowned for their engaging live shows, will also take fan requests, adding an element of spontaneity to the concerts. The tour will culminate on December 13, 2023, at the London OVO Arena Wembley, in a special show featuring Bowling For Soup.

Reflecting on Jimenez’s reunion with the band, frontman Brendan B. Brown expressed his excitement: “We’ve discussed getting back on stage together many times, but now we’re in rehearsals just like the old days… and we’re dancing together again. It’s gotten serious—seriously fun.” Jimenez echoed this sentiment, stating, “After more than thirty years of friendship and musical collaboration, it’s incredible to be reuniting for this tour.”

Details of the 25th Anniversary Tour

The complete tour schedule includes stops in cities such as Belfast, Newcastle, Glasgow, and Brighton, with several shows already sold out. Notable venues include the O2 Ritz in Manchester and the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds. Each concert will feature the band performing their debut album while incorporating fan requests, making each show unique and interactive.

Wheatus has enjoyed significant success over their 25-year career. The band played to a crowd of 20,000 at the 2024 Download Festival and completed a sold-out 47-date UK and Ireland tour in autumn 2023. Their debut album, released in 2000, has achieved multi-platinum status and continues to resonate with audiences.

As the band prepares for this milestone tour, Brown shared his thoughts on the significance of celebrating their debut album: “It feels truly strange & wonderful. We’ve never had the opportunity to take this career for granted… the feelings of gratitude are overwhelming.” He emphasized the exceptional support from UK and Irish audiences, particularly in smaller towns, where fans have always shown enthusiasm for their performances.

A Resurgence of Popularity

In recent years, Wheatus has seen a resurgence in popularity. “Teenage Dirtbag” has garnered over 337 million views on YouTube and sparked a TikTok trend in 2022, with the hashtag #teenagedirtbag reaching over 2 billion views. This renewed interest culminated in the song re-entering the UK Official Top 40 Singles Chart in 2023.

As Wheatus looks ahead to 2025, they plan to dedicate themselves to global tours celebrating their debut album. Brown noted, “The entire first record is ready to go and will definitely be performed every night… but never in the same order. We will be doing the songs as they are shouted out by the crowd.” This unique approach has been a hallmark of their live performances for nearly two decades.

With their 25th anniversary tour, Wheatus is set to deliver an unforgettable experience for fans. Remaining tickets are available through their official website, allowing fans to join in the celebration of an album that continues to impact music culture around the world.