Brian Eno Announces Final Retirement Concert and New Album Release
Brian Eno, the legendary British composer, producer, and pioneer of ambient music, has announced his final retirement concert, marking the culmination of a career that has spanned over five decades. This farewell performance will coincide with the release of his latest collaborative albums, Luminal and Lateral, created with fellow artist Beatie Wolfe.
The retirement concert is set to take place on June 6, 2025, at the Royal Festival Hall in London. This venue holds significance as it was the closing location of Eno’s first-ever solo tour, “Ships,” in 2023 . The upcoming performance promises to be a reflective journey through Eno’s expansive musical repertoire, featuring orchestral adaptations of his seminal works, including pieces from his acclaimed 2016 album, The Ship .
In tandem with this final concert, Eno and Wolfe will release their two collaborative albums, Luminal and Lateral, under Verve Records. The collaboration between Eno and Wolfe began in 2022 during a joint talk at SXSW titled “Art and Climate,” where they explored the intersection of art and environmental issues . Their creative synergy evolved through shared art exhibitions in London, leading to the musical partnership that birthed these albums.
Luminal comprises 11 tracks, including the lead single “Suddenly,” while Lateral presents eight ambient movements collectively titled “Big Empty Country.” The albums delve into complex emotional landscapes, drawing inspiration from untranslatable words in various languages that encapsulate nuanced feelings. In a joint statement, Eno and Wolfe emphasized the power of music to evoke and name these intricate emotions, making them more tangible and deeply felt .
This announcement follows Eno’s surprise release of Aurum in March 2025, an 80-minute album exclusive to Apple Music, utilizing the platform’s spatial audio technology . In an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Eno discussed his perspectives on artificial intelligence and its implications for society and creativity .
Eno’s retirement concert and the release of Luminal and Lateral signify a poignant moment in the music world, offering a final opportunity to experience the innovative artistry of a musician who has continually pushed the boundaries of sound and emotion. Tickets for the June 6 concert are expected to be in high demand, as fans gather to celebrate the enduring legacy of Brian Eno.