Belle & Sebastian dial up World Cup fever with ‘It Only Takes One Lion’, Scotland’s tournament anthem, released today via Matador Records.

Written following Scotland’s 4-2 qualifying win against Denmark and premiered at London’s Royal Albert Hall as part of the band’s triumphant anniversary world tour for their classic first two albums Tigermilk and If You’re Feeling Sinister, ‘It Only Takes One Lion’ moves from hopeful hymn to uptempo, string-laden disco pop, capturing the giddy expectancy of the games with the band’s signature wit and flair. Watch the video HERE.

Speaking of the song, Murdoch said: “It’s a personal song about following the travails of Scotland’s national team for the last 50 years and it came out naturally the day after the game against Denmark. The song tries to encompass the experience of the whole country following Scotland.”

Belle and Sebastian continue their worldwide tour celebrating Tigermilk and If You’re Feeling Sinister, performing the iconic albums in full during a series of two-night stands at classic venues across Europe, North America, Mexico, Australia and Asia. A full live itinerary is below, with more shows soon to be announced, due to phenomenal demand…

The Times said, “a jubilant, five-star occasion, this enchanting band have somehow cast their spell over a new generation”.

The Guardian wrote, “Stuart Murdoch and co wittily reanimate their world of aesthetes and misfits”. 

TOUR DATES
Jun 2 – Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater – SOLD OUT
Jun 5 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium – SOLD OUT
Jun 6 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium – SOLD OUT
Jun 8 – Big Sur, CA @ Henry Miller Memorial Library – SOLD OUT
Jun 9 – Big Sur, CA @ Henry Miller Memorial Library – SOLD OUT
Jun 10 – San Francisco, CA @ The Masonic – SOLD OUT
Jun 11 – San Francisco, CA @ The Masonic – SOLD OUT
Jun 13 – Seattle, WA @ The Neptune – SOLD OUT
Jun 14 – Seattle, WA @ Woodland Park Zoo – SOLD OUT
Jun 20 – Dundee, Scotland @ Caird Hall – SOLD OUT
Jun 21 – Halifax, UK @ Piece Hall – SOLD OUT
Jun 26 – Glasgow, Scotland @ Kelvingrove Park – SOLD OUT
Jun 27 – Glasgow, Scotland @ Kelvingrove Park – SOLD OUT
Jun 28 – Aldermaston, UK @ The Mount At Wasing
Jul 10 – Bilbao, ES @ Bilbao BBK Live
Jul 12 – Novegro-Tregarezzo, IT @ Parco Esposizioni Novegro
Jul 13 – Bologna, IT @ Sequoie Music Park – Parco Caserme Rosse
Jul 16 – Madrid, ES @ Noches del Botánico
Jul 17 – Barcelona, ES @ BARTS Festival
Jul 18 – Valencia, ES @ FAR Festival
Jul 19 – Murcia, ES @ Sala Mamba!
Jul 21 – Lisboa, PT @ Coliseu dos Recreios
Jul 31 – Margate, UK @ Dreamland
Aug 6 – North Berwick, UK @ Fringe by The Sea Festival
Sep 12 – Melbourne, AUS @ Palais Theatre
Sep 13 – Sydney, AUS @ Enmore Theatre – SOLD OUT
Sep 15 – Brisbane, AUS @ The Fortitude Music Hall
Sep 17 – Perth, AUS @ The Astor Theatre – SOLD OUT
Sep 18 – Perth, AUS @ The Astor Theatre
Sep 20 – Singapore @ Esplanade Concert Hall
Sep 22 – Osaka, Japan @ Big Cat – SOLD OUT
Sep 24 – Tokyo, Japan @ Kanadevia Hall
Sep 25 – Tokyo, Japan @ Kanadevia Hall – SOLD OUT