Antony Szmierek Tickets

Manchester-born poet, writer, and producer Antony Szmierek has announced that his second album, 'Decoding Birdsong', will be released on 21 August 2026 via Mushroom Music/Virgin Music Group. 

'Decoding Birdsong' follows the wild success of his debut album, 2025’s 'Service Station at the End of the Universe', which launched Antony into a whirlwind of Glastonbury, Jools Holland, and repeat BBC airplay. He’s sold out venues across the UK and Europe, and in February 2026 performed to 20,000 while closing Solomun’s Alexandra Palace shows. The former English teacher had been working at a college for special needs students when his blend of spoken word and dance music started taking off, earning him accolades such as 6Music’s Artist of the Year in 2023 following his 'Poems To Dance To' EP, and frequent comparisons to Mike Skinner, Jarvis Cocker, and John Cooper Clarke.

'Service Station at the End of the Universe' was rooted in Greater Manchester, its locals and landmarks, such as the Stockport Pyramid. And he began feeling the consequences of that: suddenly, everyone knew his name at the pub – on some days, that felt good; on others it made him feel like he was in The Truman Show. Feeling like something needed to change after a year of experiencing the industry’s high highs and low lows, Antony recently relocated to Bristol, trading the familiar for distance and peace. 'Decoding Birdsong' was made in his new home city, with his long-time collaborator Max Rad. 

Where his debut had been a solo endeavour, 'Decoding Birdsong' brims with collaboration, including Australia’s Pretty Girl, London band Los Bitchos, and Bristol producer 1-800 GIRLS, as well as Imogen and the Knife and indie pop star Ellur. 

Speaking about the new record, Antony explains 'Decoding Birdsong is about choosing to believe in something. Coincidence as a religion. Making your own luck in the face of loneliness and doubt. The smallest things can feel seminal, seismic and life affirming if you just choose to lean in, but it also asks if this is a dangerous way to live. What happens when your numbers come in? What are the consequences of luck? Should you listen to the birds, or are you only ever going to hear what you want to hear? To help us explore this: a heron, dice, a plummeting airplane, the late-night TV show Aussie Gold Hunters and a fibreglass replica of Godzilla.'