Virgil and the Accelerators

VIRGIL AND THE ACCELERATORS: ‘The Phoenix Returns’

​Virgil Van Der Merwe, frontman and lead guitarist of the cult British blues-rock powerhouse Virgil and The Accelerators (VATA), is set to make a massively requested return to the live circuit.

Since news first broke of a new lineup forming, social media has been flooded with fans calling for Virgil’s return, making this 2026 tour one of the most requested comebacks in the UK blues-rock scene.

​This "New Era" marks a deliberate return to the band's core identity: a stripped-back, raw power trio. The new lineup lock in a harder, heavier sound and cannot wait to share the explosive energy of this new chapter on stage with the fans who have been calling for it.

Joining Virgil to complete the trio is a powerhouse rhythm section that has locked in over years of playing together, providing a rock-solid and driving foundation:
• ​Maddy K (bass player for BBC Radio Wales presenter Bronwen Lewis and prog-jazz fusion band Z Machine).
• ​Jamie Williams (drummer for cult band The Ripping Cones, bringing over 15 years of professional performance experience).
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Since winning Best Guitarist at the European Blues Awards, Virgil has shared stages with icons like Joe Bonamassa, Johnny Winter, and Wilko Johnson. The band’s legacy is anchored by the critically acclaimed debut album The Radium, which was named "Album of the Year" by Classic Rock Magazine.