The wait is finally over for fans of Canadian hard rock legends Triumph. For the first time in over three decades, the band is hitting the road to celebrate their 50th anniversary, bringing along fellow Canadian icons April Wine for support. But this isn’t just a standard nostalgia trip; the 2026 trek features a super-charged lineup that sees original members Gil Moore and Rik Emmett joined by an all-star cast including Bon Jovi guitarist (and former Triumph member) Phil X, as well as Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators rhythm section Brent Fitz and Todd Kerns.
In a new interview with Jimmy Kay and Alan Dixon of “The Metal Voice,” Moore explained how the band went from retired to ready-to-rock, citing a specific moment of chemistry in Edmonton as the catalyst.
For years, both Moore and Emmett had publicly downplayed the idea of a full-scale reunion tour. When asked what changed their minds, Moore admitted that he was just as hesitant as his bandmate initially.
“Same way I did. I mean, I said exactly what Rik said. I said, ‘Sorry. I love you guys, but my life… I’m in a different spot now and I’m doing the stuff I love to do, which I’m still doing with [my studio] Metalworks and things like that, that are near and dear to me,” Moore told the hosts (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “So it was a big challenge to do this. But, man, there’s just something about the magic of when we got together with Brent and Todd and Phil, and seeing people’s faces again and talking to people and receiving the messages online. And it all came together. I said it was like a laundry hamper that opened on the floor. It was also just these puzzle pieces that are sort of scattered on the table and they sort of all come together.”
The turning point was a performance on June 6, 2025, at the Rogers Festival At The Final in Edmonton. According to Moore, the interplay between the musicians backstage was undeniable.
“We’re sitting in the trailer backstage in Edmonton looking at each other and we’re singing harmonies together and talking about music, and all of a sudden we’re, like, ‘Man, this feels good,'” Moore recalled. “I’m sitting there, I’m looking at Rik Emmett and Phil X play, two of the greatest guitar players, I would say, in rock and roll. Anybody that argues with me, get off this interview. Those two guys are a double-barreled shotgun.”
He described a selfless dynamic between the two guitarists that he believes will define the upcoming tour.
“Phil‘s complimenting Rik. Rik‘s complimenting Phil. Phil‘s complimenting Rik. Rik‘s complimenting [Phil]. ‘No, you take this part.’ ‘No, you take this part.’ ‘No, you do it.’ ‘No. Hey, let’s do it together.’ This is magic. It’s happening. It’s lightning in a bottle. It’s right in front of you.”
Moore was keen to emphasize that the new additions to the lineup are not merely hired guns in the background. Given their resumes with Bon Jovi and Slash, Moore insists they will be integral to the show.
“Now, let me say this. When you’ve got guys like Phil and Todd and Brent, these guys are not side sidemen. That is not who we’re talking about here. We’re talking about guys that are rock stars, big time, in their own right,” Moore stated. “I mean, Rik and I are not puck hogs. Okay? So these guys are gonna shine in this show. And we would be idiots not to let them do that. These guys are great players and great singers, so we’re gonna share the stage. We’re not gonna hog the stage.”
However, he clarified that the original members aren’t taking a backseat either.
“As far as Rik and I are concerned, unless we get hit by a bus, we will be on the bus. We will be at every show. We will be playing all the way through every show.”
Addressing the status of bassist Mike Levine, Moore confirmed that while Levine is the heart of the band, his physical participation remains day-to-day.
“Well, for starters, Mike, like we’ve said from the beginning, has got some health challenges. But, man, I’ll tell you what: he wants to be there. He’s got the spirit and the will. He’s part of the brotherhood, of course. So when I say we’re a brotherhood, he’s the number one brother, and we’re hoping that he’s gonna be at as many shows as possible. But I can’t predict that part of it.”
The tour will also feature a unique double-drum setup involving Moore and Brent Fitz, which may open the door for Moore to step out from behind the kit for the first time.
“Rik is talking about wanting me to sing upfront as well. I never could really do that well in Triumph before because you have no drums. Now we have drums. So I don’t know if that’s gonna happen until we get in a rehearsal environment and then we see, how does it feel? And no wine before its time.”
To anyone doubting the commitment of the original members to this run, Moore had a sharp closing remark: “But anybody that thinks that Mike or Gil and Rik aren’t playing, I mean, I don’t know — I guess they think O.J.’s not guilty.”
“Triumph 50th Anniversary” 2026 North American tour dates:
- April 22 – Sault Ste. Marie, ON – GFL Memorial Gardens
- April 24 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
- April 25 – Hamilton, ON – TD Coliseum
- April 28 – Halifax, NS – Scotiabank Centre
- April 29 – Moncton, NB – Avenir Centre
- May 01 – Laval, QC – Place Bell (Montreal)
- May 02 – Ottawa, ON – Canadian Tire Centre
- May 05 – Winnipeg, MB – Canada Life Centre
- May 07 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place
- May 08 – Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome
- May 13 – Rosemont, IL – Rosemont Theatre (Chicago)
- May 14 – Milwaukee, WI – Miller High Life Theatre
- May 16 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre
- May 17 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
- May 20 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory (Dallas)
- May 21 – San Antonio, TX – Frost Bank Center
- May 22 – Houston, TX – Smart Financial Center at Sugar Land
- May 24 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
- May 26 – Atlanta, GA – Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park
- May 28 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion (Philadelphia)
- May 30 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill (Detroit)
- June 03 – Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater
- June 05 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater (New York)
- June 06 – Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion
