The Academic have just been announced as support for Louis Tomlinson for his upcoming North America tour in May and June.

The Westmeath indie-pop rockers will support the former One Direction singer on dates across the US and Canada this summer, following on from their own headline North American tour.

"We’re buzzing to be joining @louist91 for some shows on the Faith In The Future world tour!" The Academic posted to their Instagram today. "We already know that Louis has the most incredible fans and we can’t wait to play for you guys! Let us know which show you are coming too. We will try and meet as many of you as we can!"

 

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It's already been a huge year for Craig Fitzgerald, Stephen Murtagh, Matthew Murtagh and Dean Gavin. The Academic scored their second Number 1 on the Official Irish Albums Chart with their sophomore record Sitting Pretty.

The follow up to 2018 album Tales From The Backseat – their first chart topper – saw off stiff competition from both Paramore and Taylor Swift to take the coveted top spot. Tour dates across Ireland, the UK and Europe followed before the band headed Stateside.

In a special Hot Press cover story interview with Pat Carty, bassist Stephen Murtagh explained: “The first album feels like such a summery record, a young debut album. I don’t think this album feels that way. It feels like a natural progression without losing sight of what makes us… us.”

The album was produced by Nick Hodgson, formerly of Kaiser Chiefs, at Snap Studios in London.

“We listened to a lot of mixes like R.E.M. and Arcade Fire," bassist Stephen Murtagh remarked. "A lot of indie music is very kick drum with the vocal shouting at you down the middle whereas we wanted it a bit more spacey.”

“The first album, feels like such a summery record, a young debut album," Stephen resumed. "I don’t think this album feels that way. It feels like a natural progression without losing sight of what makes us… us.”

Earlier this month, The Academic performed for 20,000 people during US President Joe Biden's trip to his ancestral home in Ballina, Co. Mayo during his Irish visit. The band also performed at the Hot Press-curated Windmill Live show at the end of March.

Tomlinson will perform in Dublin on November 8th this year, at the 3Arena as part of his UK and European tour.

Louis Tomlinson, North American Support Tour Dates

26 May - UNCASVILLE, CT, USA
27 May - GILFORD, NH, USA
29 May - LAVAL, QC, CA
30 May - TORONTO, ON, CA
1 June - CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH, USA
2 June - STERLING HEIGHTS, MI, USA
3 June - CINCINNATI, OH, USA
6 June - COLUMBUS, OH, USA
7 June - INDIANAPOLIS, IN, USA
9 June - MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO, USA
10 June - KANSAS CITY, MO, USA
13 June - MILWAUKEE, WI, USA