The Smiths – The Queen Is Dead turns 40 with 2026 tribute shows in Germany
Published on 08/22/2026 at 18:52 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
The Smiths remain one of the defining indie rock bands of the 1980s. In 2026 their classic album The Queen Is Dead turns 40, and Germany is part of the anniversary year thanks to tribute shows and special events, according to recent German coverage of the record’s chart history.
How Germany marks 40 years of The Queen Is Dead
The strongest German anchor in 2026 are tribute concerts by UK cover band These Smiths, who focus on faithfully recreating the original sound. Their official tour page lists a festival date at LandEi Lugau in Doberlug-Kirchhain, Brandenburg, on June 27, 2026, as well as a club show at Hafan 17 in Kehl am Rhein on October 2, 2026, both explicitly advertised as tributes to The Smiths.
For German fans these appearances are significant because the original band has been split since 1987 and has no reunion dates on the books. The Doberlug-Kirchhain slot brings Smiths songs to a rural Brandenburg festival crowd, while Kehl am Rhein offers an indoor setting in the border region near France, underlining how far the band’s reach extends four decades after the album’s release.
Anniversary context and chart history of The Queen Is Dead
The Queen Is Dead was originally released in June 1986 and is widely regarded as the artistic high point of The Smiths’ four studio albums. Contemporary and retrospective German chart overviews note that the record climbed to number 33 on the German albums chart and reached number 2 in the UK, later earning double platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry as catalogue streaming grew.
That performance marked a clear step up from the band’s earlier German presence. Previous overviews of their chart history point out that earlier albums such as Meat Is Murder only made it into the lower regions of the German album list, while The Queen Is Dead delivered their highest domestic placement. In the UK, by contrast, Meat Is Murder had already reached number 1, which underlines how the band’s commercial peak arrived slightly earlier in their home market than in Germany.
All news and background on The Smiths
Readers who want to dive deeper into The Smiths’ legacy, German chart history and tribute activities will find further coverage and analyses in our archive.
The Smiths’ musical identity and the place of The Queen Is Dead
The Smiths formed in Manchester in 1982, bringing together singer Morrissey, guitarist Johnny Marr, bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce. Their sound blended jangling, melodic guitar lines with literate, often melancholic lyrics, positioning them at the heart of the emerging alternative rock and indie pop scenes of the mid-1980s.
The Queen Is Dead, the band’s third studio album, crystallized that approach. Songs such as The Queen Is Dead, There Is a Light That Never Goes Out and Bigmouth Strikes Again combined Marr’s layered guitar parts with Morrissey’s arch but emotionally direct vocals. The record is frequently cited by critics and fan polls as one of the most important British albums of the decade, which explains why its 40th anniversary triggers dedicated tours and exhibitions rather than passing unnoticed.
Current status of The Smiths and upcoming Smiths-themed date
The Smiths themselves remain disbanded, and the next confirmed Smiths-related live date in Germany is the These Smiths tribute concert at Hafan 17 in Kehl am Rhein on October 2, 2026.
The Smiths at a glance
- Act: The Smiths
- Genre: Alternative rock / indie pop
- Origin: Manchester, England
- Active since: 1982–1987
- Lineup: Morrissey (vocals), Johnny Marr (guitar), Andy Rourke (bass), Mike Joyce (drums)
- Label: Rough Trade (UK), Sire (US)
- Key works: The Smiths (1984), Meat Is Murder (1985), The Queen Is Dead (1986), Strangeways, Here We Come (1987)
- Current album/single: Catalogue focus on The Queen Is Dead, originally released June 1986
- Charts / certifications: The Queen Is Dead reached number 33 on the German albums chart and number 2 in the UK and has been certified double platinum in Britain
- Next live date: October 2, 2026, Kehl am Rhein, Hafan 17 (These Smiths tribute show)
Frequently asked questions about The Smiths
Are The Smiths themselves touring in 2026?
There is no tour by the original band in 2026. The activity around the 40th anniversary of The Queen Is Dead consists of tribute tours, cover bands and special events rather than a full reunion.
How did The Queen Is Dead perform in the German charts?
According to German chart overviews, The Queen Is Dead peaked at number 33 on the German albums chart, making it The Smiths’ highest-placed album there, while it reached number 2 in the UK.
When and where is the next Smiths-themed live date in Germany?
The next confirmed Smiths-themed live date in Germany is the These Smiths tribute concert scheduled for October 2, 2026, at Hafan 17 in Kehl am Rhein, giving fans a chance to hear songs from The Queen Is Dead and other classics on stage.
Who are These Smiths and how close are they to the original sound?
These Smiths are a UK tribute band dedicated to playing the music of The Smiths with close attention to the original arrangements, set lists and atmosphere, often focusing on full-album shows such as The Queen Is Dead in anniversary years.
Which other albums by The Smiths should new listeners check out?
For listeners discovering The Smiths through the anniversary events, essential studio albums beyond The Queen Is Dead include their self-titled debut from 1984, the politically sharper Meat Is Murder from 1985 and the darker final album Strangeways, Here We Come from 1987.
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