Because the world is reopening!
Since the start of the pandemic, we’ve seen so many of the things we took for granted taken away from us — seeing friends and family, going out to dinner, traveling…and of course, attending live concerts and events. As people get vaccinated and the world starts to reopen, it’s finally time to get excited about your favorite bands, comedians, and more returning to the stage. We’ve rounded up some of the can’t-miss shows that will be touring the country in the coming months — so make sure to snag your tickets early!
Upcoming Concerts, Tours, and Music Festivals
Foo Fighters
If “The Foo Fighters just played a sold out show at Madison Square Garden” isn’t music to your Covid-vaccinated ears, then allow us to add, “and they were joined briefly on stage by Dave Chappelle.” If that doesn’t indicate that our favorite entertainers are back and ready to rock, then we don’t know what does.
If you missed Dave (and Dave!) and the gang in NYC, fear not. The Foo Fighters have a nationwide tour rolling out this summer, starting in July in Cincinnati (although we can’t promise Chappelle will be showing up at any more shows).
Dave Chappelle and Joe Rogan
Speaking of Dave Chappelle…the comedian has a tour (if your definition of “tour” is two cities) of his own in the works! Along with Joe Rogan, he’ll be performing at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on September 3rd and New Orleans’ Smoothie King Center on September 4th.
You might be surprised to hear that these two are performing together again after their January shows in Austin left Chappelle with Covid, but Chappelle seems ready to be back on the stage. He recently appeared in front of a full crowd at Radio City Music Hall to present a Tribeca Film Festival screening of his new film Dave Chappelle: This Time This Place, which chronicles the outdoor stand-up series Chappelle hosted on a friend’s farm in Ohio during the pandemic.
Brad Paisley
Are you a country fan in dire need of a Whiskey Lullaby? Well, dust off your cowboy hat, because Brad Paisley is touring all over the country this summer. If you’re not ready to shell out a fortune on concert tickets, he’ll also be playing the Good Morning America concert series in Central Park on July 5th, along with Jimmie Allen.
The Weeknd
If you’re a fan of The Weeknd, we’ve got some good news and bad news. The good news? Two years after his album was released, the artist has finally rescheduled dates for the now twice-canceled After Hours tour. The bad news? It doesn’t start until 2022, with the first U.S. show slated for January 21 in St. Paul Minnesota. Even though the album shockingly received zero Grammy nominations, sparking backlash from fans, other artists, and a boycott of future Grammys by The Weeknd himself, After Hours is chock full of hit after hit, and the concert is certain to be worth the wait.
TodayTix at Tavern on the Green
Do you miss Broadway? While theatres (mostly) remain closed, you can get your dose of Broadway talent right in Central Park. TodayTix at Tavern is a concert series featuring top Broadway talent in a stunning outdoor setting. Running Mondays and Tuesdays for the rest of the summer, TodayTix at Tavern’s lineup includes Max Von Essen (Aug 3), Joshua Henry (Aug 9), Ana Villafañe (Aug 16), Tom Kitt (Aug 17), and more.
Hadestown
Broadway was one of the industries hardest hit by Covid, and we can’t contain our excitement that theater is coming back in full force, albeit slowly. Among the shows that will begin touring this fall is Hadestown, the most recent show to win a Tony Award for Best Musical. The show is a modern take on the two classic Greek myths of Orpheus and Eurydice and Hades and Persephone set to a soundtrack of stunning folk, jazz, and blues songs.
Katie Couric’s Going There Book Tour
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention what we personally think is the most important tour of all time—our very own Katie Couric’s book tour! If you haven’t already pre-ordered your copy of Going There, do it now, and then check out her fall tour dates to hear this legend tell you some of these stories in her own words…with the help of some surprise celebrity guests!
Cirque du Soleil
It’s not just concerts, comedians, and Broadway shows we’ve missed…you can’t forget the circus! Although, of course, as anyone who has ever attended a show knows, calling Cirque du Soleil a circus is a bit like calling a tiger a kitten. Some of their most popular shows like O and Mystère are reopening their residencies in Las Vegas, while others will begin touring soon. Check here for a list of all of their shows and where to find them.
iHeartMusic festival
It’s not just concerts, comedians, and Broadway shows we’ve missed…you can’t forget the circus! Although, of course, as anyone who has ever attended a show knows, calling Cirque du Soleil a circus is a bit like calling a tiger a kitten. Some of their most popular shows like O and Mystère are reopening their residencies in Las Vegas, while others will begin touring soon. Check here for a list of all of their shows and where to find them.
Can’t decide which artist you want to see first when you finally take the plunge back into the concert arena? With the iHeartMusic Festival, you don’t have to choose. On September 17th and 18th in Las Vegas, you can see Billie Eilish, Coldplay, Dua Lipa, Maroon 5, and many more of your favorite artists all in one place. Make sure to get a ticket now, because it’s sure to be a hot one!
Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza fans, rejoice — the famous Chicago-based music festival is back and better than ever, starting July 29th. Miley Cyrus will headline that night; followed by Tyler the Creator and Marshmello on Friday; Post Malone, Megan Thee Stallion, and Journey on Saturday; and Foo Fighters (for those of you who missed their other tour dates!) and DaBaby on Sunday.
The Minnesota State Fair
Boasting an average of 2 million visitors per year, The Minnesota State Fair is one of the biggest in the country (maybe following Texas, depending on who you ask). After the fair was canceled last year, this year it’s back and better than ever, running from August 26th to September 6th. Are you chompin’ at the bit to see Minnesota’s biggest boar? Do you want to eat something called deep-fried smelt? Are you fascinated by the idea of seeing the young winner crowned “Princess Kay of the Milky Way” immortalized as a butter sculpture? Then get your booty over to Minnesota!
