Sugar / Love You Even Still Tour / Stage AE / Pittsburgh / 10.10.2026
Sugar announced their reunion and world tour late last year, and I’ve been pretty excited for this one. Here’s the recap from the Pittsburgh stop.
1. How long has it been?
Man, over 30 years since these guys last played together is a long time! It’s rare to get a reunion like this, especially with a band whose members were already well into their musical careers when Sugar came along after Hüsker Dü. The fact that we’re still able to get these guys together, back on the road and playing these songs in 2026, is pretty incredible. It’s something you don’t want to take for granted.
2. A three-piece just hits right.
Something about a three-piece, man. When you’re playing fast, upbeat punk rock, it just feels like this is how it’s supposed to be. Bob Mould, David Barbe, and Malcolm Travis look like they’re having a blast making up for lost time, bringing these songs to life for a crowd that, in many cases, is hearing them live for the first time. Bob has always sprinkled some Sugar songs into his solo shows, but getting the full-band treatment is what a lot of people have been waiting a long time for. And I imagine there are plenty of younger punk rock kids who are pretty happy to be here, too.
3. Barbe on vocals.
There’s an obvious distinction between Barbe and Mould vocally, and that was one of the things that stuck with me most. It was great hearing David deliver these songs and getting that contrast between the two of them throughout the set. It’s a big part of what makes Sugar sound like Sugar, and having both of them up there again makes this reunion feel that much more complete.
4. A little bit of everything.
The 23-song setlist did a pretty great job of pulling from across the band’s catalog. With a reunion like this, you could probably play just about anything and have people excited to hear it. For some, these songs are brand new live experiences; for others, it’s been a very, very long time since they last heard them played this way. And sure, Bob Mould plays some of this material solo, which is great, but it’s just not the same as hearing the whole band lock in together again.
5. So, what happens next?
When Sugar announced the tour, they also released a new song, “House of Dead Memories,” which sounds like something they could have put out 30 years ago. So does that mean a new Sugar album could be on the way? Bob Mould has remained reasonably prolific as a solo artist, so I doubt he’ll be sitting still for long. Whatever comes next, it’s pretty amazing that in 2026 we have one of the pioneering bands of alternative rock and punk back together, touring and making new music. Hopefully, this is more than just a quick trip down memory lane.
