Celebrated songwriter Andrew Wasylyk is perhaps the most prolific musician at work in Scotland today. At time of writing, he’s just finished touring a live score for silent horror classic The Phantom Of The Opera composed with Tommy Perman, all while touring as a member of Scottish indie rock outfit Idlewild as they drink in the chart-topping success of their new self-titled album. Now, he’s preparing for an equally busy 2026 with the release of a new single and a tour of the UK scheduled for next spring. 

Titled ‘First Moonbeams Of Adulthood’, the song is a companion piece to his song ‘Last Sunbeams Of Childhood’, released in 2020, and favours a long, majestic build that revels in its slinky groove. It’s the prelude to a new album, of which more details will be announced next year. 

Wasylyk told us: ‘If “Last Sunbeams Of Childhood” is a late-afternoon farewell to the fading memories of youth, I guess “First Moonbeams Of Adulthood” tries to illuminate possibilities in a path yet to be explored. It’s less of a long-lost cousin, more of a shadow twin that unfolds slow and steady. Tommy Perman has even made a very beautiful sister film to his original “Last Sunbeams Of Childhood” video.’

Watch the Perman-directed video below. 

ClayPipe Music, who've released many Wasylyk projects, said of the single: ‘A somewhat Cymande-like groove and ECM-worthy electric guitar motif, embellished with group trumpets and a wash of strings. Soprano saxophone takes flight as “First Moonbeams Of Adulthood” and its arrangement glow with subtle shifts of texture, refractions of melody and whispered vocals. A thrilling, yet gentle glimpse into Andrew Wasylyk’s highly anticipated forthcoming album due in Spring 2026.’

The tour, which will feature a full ensemble, will take Wasylyk across Scotland and England throughout March, with dates in Stirling, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol and London.

As well as his work with Idlewild and on The Phantom Of The Opera, Wasylyk and Perman’s first collaborative album, Ash Grey And The Gull Glides On, was released last year to many critical plaudits, including an entry in this year's SAY Award longlist. 

The last time we interviewed Wasylyk, he told us: ‘Collaborating’s got so many health benefits. If someone wants to work with me, it always comes as a bit of a shock. I’m not quite sure how to deal with it, other than being utterly humbled. I’m ensconced in my own world half the time just building ideas up from scratch in the studio alone; I think it’s important to put your head out the window and remember that there’s a world out there and that there are other folk doing really brilliant things. It’s important to feel that rippling effect.’ Read the full interview here. 

Andrew Wasylyk’s 2026 UK tour dates:

Tolbooth, Stirling, Tuesday 3 March 
The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen, Wednesday 4 March 
Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh, Thursday 5 March 
St Mackintosh Church, Glasgow, Friday 6 March 
Marryat Hall, Dundee, Saturday 7 March 
The Attic, Leeds, Sunday 8 March 
Pan-Pan, Birmingham, Tuesday 10 March
The Lantern, Bristol, Wednesday 11 March 
Rich Mix, London, Thursday 12 March 
Gosford Civic Theatre, Newcastle, Friday 13 March 

Tickets for Andrew Wasylyk’s latest tour go on sale on Friday 14 November; main picture: Tommy Perman.