One to Watch 2026: British Boy Band dearALICE Wraps Debut Headline Tour

Rosa Gulliver
Nov 11
2 min read

Rosa Gulliver of TINYGMUSIC | November 11, 2025

One to Watch 2026: British Boy Band dearALICE Wraps Debut Headline Tour

Rising British boy band, dearALICE, formed by SM Entertainment and Kakao Entertainment, recently wrapped their buzzy first headline tour. They brought their unique blend of British pop identity and K-pop-inspired performance prowess to fans in London, Manchester, Newcastle and Cardiff.

This was the first opportunity for Dexter, James, Reese, Blaise and Olly to meet their UK fans up close and deliver an electrifying show. The London and Manchester dates sold-out swiftly, prompting the group to upgrade to larger venues, which also sold out. Official concert merch was also sold out at all venues, further underlining the group’s growing devout following.

dearALICE captivated fans with their charismatic stage presence and vibrant setlist that included their debut single “Ariana” which hit No.2 on the UK’s Official Physical Singles Chart and No. 3 on the Singles Sales Chart, as well as “Save Us,” the lead track of their debut EP BitterSWEETsummer, released in June.

Since their launch, dearALICE has actively engaged with and grown their followers through social media channels and various show appearances, including a performance on Strictly Come Dancing. Earlier this year, they embarked on a school tour across the UK, performing for students in major cities which sparked enthusiastic reactions from teenage fans, who had followed their journey from the TV show or discovered them on social media platforms.

The band has appeared on BBC and BBC Radio 1, where their debut single “Ariana” premiered on Future Pop with Jodie Bryant to an extraordinary wave of fan response. The segment generated one of the highest listener engagement rates of the season, with the host reading multiple live messages from fans eagerly awaiting the track’s first play. dearALICE have also appeared on Hits Radio and Capital, delivering live interviews and performances that further cemented their growing presence in mainstream British pop culture. They were profiled by i-D [read here] and graced the cover of fashion title, IMAGINE Magazine.

dearALICE’s robust social media presence takes fans behind the scenes of their concert preparations, life on the road between cities, and backstage banter. The group’s sharply executed dance challenge videos, featuring collaborations with high-profile artists including K-pop stars, have garnered attention. Videos with RIIZE’s ANTON and Hearts2Hearts’ Stella and Ye-on in particular have amassed hundreds of thousands of views, drawing significant attention from K-pop enthusiasts worldwide.

dearALICE is set to return with a new album in 2026. Stay tuned for more from the five-piece primed to storm the UK and Europe.

For dearALICE, SM Entertainment and Kakao Entertainment have signed a strategic partnership with the acclaimed U.S. label gamma., a wide-ranging alliance encompassing album production, distribution, marketing, and brand partnerships.

Keep up with dearALICE