Lead vocalist Paul Banks said "Ribbon Factory" is a "stepping stone for us into more lively and punky arrangements. We’ve been playing it live for over a year and that’s really influenced the recording. It’s a uniquely Irish song and is wrought with anger and despair."

The tour includes sold-out shows at Liverpool’s Arts Club tonight, Newcastle’s The Grove tomorrow, Glasgow’s Saint Luke’s on 5 October, Manchester’s New Century Hall on 6 October, Sheffield’s Foundry on 7 October, Nottingham’s Rescue Rooms on 10 October, and two nights at London’s Electric Ballroom on 13 and 14 October. The band has also announced a North American tour, selling out three shows in New York.

The band will appear on on 25 October. They are also involved in the upcoming tribute album, The Songs of Shane MacGowan. The record features interpretations of MacGowan’s work by a sprawling cast including Springsteen, Tom Waits, Primal Scream, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Libertines, The Murder Capital, Hozier with Jessie Buckley, Glen Hansard, David Gray, Damien Dempsey, Lisa O’Neill, Imelda May with Johnny Depp, Steve Earle, Dropkick Murphys, The Pogues and Kate Moss.