Big Big Train, the award-winning, Progressive Rock band, will issue their 16th studio album via InsideOut Music on February 06, 2026. “Woodcut” is a landmark release for the group, whose line-up draws together members from England, Scotland, Italy, the USA, Sweden and Norway, in that it marks their first ever full-length conceptual piece – quite a statement given the musical depth and storytelling qualities of a band formed in Bournemouth way back in 1990. “Woodcut” is a continuous narrative exploring creativity, sacrifice and the thin line between inspiration and madness and featuring a character called The Artist.
Today, they release “Counting Stars,” the third and final single from the album, a track co-written by lead vocalist – and “Woodcut” producer — Alberto Bravin and bassist Gregory Spawton.
Gregory Spawton comments: “’Counting Stars’ finds The Artist in a reflective mood as he seeks to find solace in the natural world. He remembers a scene from his childhood when he stood on top of a hill at dusk and watched the stars sparkling into life. This experience gave him a sense of wonder at how vast and magnificent everything is. As night falls, he heads out into the countryside to count the stars once more.”
Spawton continues: “We’re hugely proud of ‘Counting Stars’. Alberto’s vocal performance is spellbinding, while our guitarist Rikard Sjöblom delivers an outstanding guitar solo. The song also features a brief lead vocal cameo, which may surprise listeners as well!”
Watch the video for “Counting Stars,” once again created by Crystal Spotlight, via the YouTube player below:
Watch the previously released video for “The Artist” here: https://youtu.be/lu2Xm2gMMWY
Watch the previously released video for “The Sharpest Blade” here: https://youtu.be/kvkJYEumeso
Last week Big Big Train announced a special immersive audio playback event to take place in London on the eve of the album’s release on Thursday 5th February. You can find full details at https://burningshed.com/
Big Big Train also recently launched The Artist’s Workshop, a special site dedicated to all things ‘Woodcut’ where fans can explore and unlock hidden content. Head here to explore: https://woodcut.bigbigtrain.com/
“Woodcut” feels like a Big Big Train record quite unlike any that came before—an assured union of music, storytelling and visual invention. The album is graced with a striking cover design from Dorset (England) based artist Robin Mackenzie — a black and white woodcut print, of course, derived from a woodcut which the band commissioned from him specifically for the album.
Available as a Limited CD + Blu-ray edition, including extensive liner notes as well as Dolby Atmos & 5.1 Surround Sound mixes by Shawn Dealey of Sweetwater Studios, the album will also be available as a stunning Gatefold 180g 2LP with special embossed cover, Standard CD Jewelcase & Digitally in both Stereo and Dolby Atmos versions.
Pre-orders are now available here: https://bigbigtrain.lnk.to/Woodcut-Album
Featuring 16 tracks across 66-minutes of runtime, Woodcut feels epic without outstaying its welcome. From the intimacy of “Inkwell Black” to the grandeur of “Counting Stars,” “Woodcut” is a defiant analogue statement in a digital age—a handcrafted, deeply human exploration of art, faith and endurance.
Tracklist:
01. Inkwell Black 00:56
02. The Artist 07:16
03. The Lie of the Land 02:55
04. The Sharpest Blade 04:16
05. Albion Press 05:46
06. Arcadia 05:46
07. Second Press 00:37
08. Warp and Weft 03:45
09. Chimaera 05:37
10. Dead Point 05:28
11. Light Without Heat 03:22
12. Dreams in Black and White 02:34
13. Cut and Run 06:19
14. Hawthorn White 01:54
15. Counting Stars 05:40
16. Last Stand 03:34
Lineup:
Alberto Bravin / Lead Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
Nick D’Virgilio / Drums, Percussion, 12-string Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Oskar Holldorff / Keyboards, Vocals
Clare Lindley / Violin, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Paul Mitchell / Trumpet, Piccolo Trumpet, Vocals
Rikard Sjöblom / Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals
Gregory Spawton / Bass, Bass Pedals, 12-string Acoustic Guitar, Mellotron, Vocals
Following a warm-up show in the UK and two shows co-headlining Cruise To The Edge in March this year, Big Big Train will undertake a UK/European headline tour in September/October 2026, including their biggest headline show to date at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire. Find the full list of autumn tour dates below:
BIG BIG TRAIN – THE WOODCUT & OTHER STORIES TOUR:
Friday 25th September – The Stables, Milton Keynes, UK
Saturday 26th September – The Asylum, Birmingham, UK
Sunday 27th September – Komedia, Bath, UK
Monday 28th September – The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, UK
Wednesday 30th September – The Spirit Of 66, Verviers, Belgium
Thursday 1st October – Colos-Saal, Aschaffenburg, Germany
Friday 2nd October – Poppodium Boerderij, Zoetermeer, Netherlands
Saturday 3rd October – De Pul, Uden, Netherlands
Sunday 4th October – TBA, France
Tuesday 6th October – La Sala, Madrid, Spain
Wednesday 7th October – Razzmatazz 2, Barcelona, Spain
Friday 9th October – Teatro Astra, Schio, Italy
Saturday 10th October – Phenomenon, Fontaneto d’Agogna, Italy
Sunday 11th October – Z7, Pratteln, Switzerland
Tuesday 13th October – RNCM Theatre, Manchester, UK
Wednesday 14th October – Playhouse, Whitley Bay, UK
Thursday 15th October – Slay, Glasgow, UK
Saturday 17th October – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, UK