It’s November 2025, and if you’re wondering who’s hitting the road this year, you’re not alone. Fans everywhere are checking their calendars, saving up, and marking dates - because 2025 isn’t just another year for live music. It’s one of the biggest touring seasons in a decade. From stadium-sized legends to breakout indie acts, the lineup is packed with names that have fans buzzing. And yes, some of these tours were announced months ago, but new ones keep dropping every week.
Rock and roll isn’t slowing down
Foo Fighters are back on the road with their first full tour since 2021, this time supporting their latest album But Here We Are. They’re playing 42 dates across North America and Europe, including a rare two-night stand at Wembley Stadium in London. Dave Grohl hasn’t skipped a tour since 1995, and this one’s no different - expect high-energy sets, surprise covers, and maybe even a drum solo on a floating platform.
Queens of the Stone Age are also touring, but this time with a twist: they’re bringing their entire live show to outdoor amphitheaters in the U.S. and Canada. Josh Homme’s band is known for their heavy, psychedelic riffs, and this tour features a custom light system synced to each song. Tickets sold out in under 12 minutes in 14 cities.
And then there’s the reunion no one saw coming: Depeche Mode are hitting the road for their first tour since 2017. With Martin Gore back on full vocal duties after his health break, they’re playing 30 shows across Europe and North America. The setlist? A mix of classics like "Enjoy the Silence" and deep cuts from their new album Memento Mori.
Pop icons are making their comeback
Taylor Swift isn’t touring this year - she’s still in her Eras Tour wind-down phase - but other pop giants are stepping up. Madonna is returning to the stage with her Finally Enough Love tour, a career-spanning retrospective with choreography by the same team behind Beyoncé’s Renaissance. She’s playing 15 arenas, including a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden on June 12.
Harry Styles is taking a break from solo touring, but his former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne is hitting the road with his first solo tour in five years. He’s playing smaller venues - theaters and clubs - focusing on acoustic versions of his hits and unreleased demos. Fans are calling it "Liam’s intimate rebellion." Tickets went on sale in March and sold out in 47 minutes.
And then there’s SZA. After winning four Grammys in 2024, she’s launching her first world tour, hitting 28 cities from Tokyo to Sydney. Her shows are known for their emotional intensity and spontaneous improvisation - sometimes she’ll stop mid-song to talk to the crowd for 10 minutes. It’s not just a concert; it’s a therapy session with a beat.
Hip-hop and R&B are dominating the charts - and the stages
Drake isn’t touring, but Kendrick Lamar is. After his Pulitzer-winning album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, he’s back with a new project and a stage show unlike anything in hip-hop. He’s using live orchestras in every city, with a 24-piece ensemble that changes based on local musicians. The tour starts in Vancouver on April 12 and ends in Los Angeles in August.
Travis Scott is also back, but this time with a more controlled approach. He’s doing 12 arena dates across the U.S. and Canada, focusing on immersive audio experiences. Each venue has been fitted with custom 3D sound systems. No pyrotechnics. No fireworks. Just sound that moves through your chest.
And don’t sleep on Doja Cat. She’s touring with a full theatrical production - think costumes, dancers, and a stage that transforms into a spaceship halfway through the show. Her set includes songs from all three of her albums, plus a surprise guest appearance from Saweetie on the final night of each leg.
Indie and alternative acts are stealing the spotlight
While headliners dominate headlines, the real surprise this year is the rise of indie acts. Phoebe Bridgers is touring with a full string section and a rotating cast of guest vocalists - including Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus. Her shows are sold out through October, and she’s added three extra dates in New Zealand and Australia after demand exploded.
Arctic Monkeys are back with their first tour since 2018, and this time they’re playing in theaters instead of arenas. The band says they want to "hear every lyric." The setlist leans heavily on their newer albums, with deep cuts like "The Ultracheese" and "I Ain’t Quite Where I Think I Am" getting live debuts.
And then there’s Wet Leg. The British duo, who exploded in 2022, are now headlining festivals across Europe and North America. They’re playing 22 shows, including a surprise slot at Coachella. Their live show is chaotic, fun, and full of running jokes - like when they switch instruments mid-song just to mess with the audience.
What about the surprise announcements?
Some of the biggest tour news came out of nowhere. On November 15, Beyoncé quietly posted a cryptic video on Instagram with the words "The tour is coming. Don’t look away." Fans are guessing it’s for a new album tied to her Renaissance film. No official dates yet, but rumors point to a June 2025 kickoff in Paris.
Meanwhile, Bruce Springsteen announced a surprise 10-date run in small clubs across the Midwest - places like the Crocodile Rock in Iowa City and the Bluebird in Minneapolis. He’s playing two sets each night, one acoustic, one full band. Tickets are only available through a lottery system. Over 3 million people entered.
And then there’s the most unexpected: The Weeknd is doing a 5-city tour of New Zealand and Australia - his first time performing there since 2017. He’s playing outdoor amphitheaters at sunset, with a light show synced to the Southern Hemisphere stars. Tickets sold out in 9 minutes.
How to get tickets without getting scammed
With demand this high, scalpers and bots are circling. Here’s how to avoid getting burned:
- Use official ticketing sites only: Ticketmaster, Live Nation, AXS, and the artist’s own website. If it’s not listed on the artist’s Instagram or Twitter, it’s not legit.
- Sign up for presales early. Most artists give fans a 48-hour window before public sales. You’ll need to join their mailing list or fan club.
- Never buy from resale sites unless they’re verified. StubHub and SeatGeek have buyer protections - but Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist? Skip it.
- Set alerts on apps like Bandsintown and Songkick. They notify you the second new dates are announced.
- Check for local shows. Many artists add surprise dates in smaller cities after the main tour sells out.
What if you can’t get tickets?
You’re not out of luck. Many artists stream their shows live. Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour was available on Disney+ - and this year, both SZA and Doja Cat are partnering with YouTube to livestream select dates. You won’t get the front-row energy, but you’ll get the full show, high-def audio, and zero markup.
Or, look for local tribute bands. Some are shockingly good. In Wellington, there’s a Foo Fighters cover band called "The Last Days of Dave" - they play the same setlists, use the same gear, and even wear the same shirts. They sold out their 2025 tour before the real Foo Fighters even announced theirs.
Final thoughts: 2025 is the year live music came back to life
This isn’t just about big names. It’s about connection. After years of canceled shows and virtual concerts, people are hungry for real moments - the roar of a crowd, the smell of sweat and beer, the way a guitar note hangs in the air. The artists know it. That’s why they’re playing harder, longer, and louder than ever.
So mark your calendar. Buy your tickets. And don’t wait until the last minute. Because by the time you decide, the show’s already sold out - again.
Tia Muzdalifah
ok but did anyone else notice that wet leg switched instruments mid-song at glastonbury and the drummer literally tripped over a cable and kept playing? chaos. pure chaos. i cried. also their merch is 70% stolen from 2005 tumblr aesthetics and i love it.
Aafreen Khan
lol why is everyone acting like sza’s concerts are therapy? it’s just a concert. she’s not a licensed counselor. also why is everyone ignoring that doja’s spaceship stage is literally just a repurposed carnival ride with LED lights? come on. stop romanticizing the gimmicks.
Tyler Durden
you guys are missing the point-this isn’t about the shows, it’s about the *energy*. after three years of silence, of Zoom concerts and empty venues, people are starving for raw, unfiltered connection. when depeche mode played ‘enjoy the silence’ in berlin and the whole crowd went dead quiet for 12 seconds before screaming? that’s not music. that’s collective healing. and yeah, i cried too. don’t judge me.
Robert Byrne
Correction: Foo Fighters didn’t play a drum solo on a floating platform. That was a rumor started by a Reddit bot in 2023. Dave Grohl’s last floating platform was in 2015, and he broke his leg. He’s not doing that again. Also, you misspelled ‘amphitheaters’ in the third paragraph. Fix it.
Albert Navat
Let’s be real-this entire article is a marketing funnel for Ticketmaster. The ‘official sites only’ advice? That’s a paid placement. The real underground shows are on Bandcamp livestreams, random warehouse gigs in Detroit, and secret sets at dive bars where the bouncer just nods you in if you know the password. The industry wants you to think it’s all about the big names. It’s not. It’s about the 17-year-old kid in Cleveland who just dropped a 12-track album on SoundCloud and is playing a basement show next Friday. That’s where the future is.
Pamela Watson
OMG I JUST FOUND OUT THAT BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN IS PLAYING IN IOWA?? I’M GOING!! I’M SELLING MY CAR!! I’M MOVING THERE!! 😭😭😭
LeVar Trotter
For anyone saying the indie acts are stealing the spotlight-this is actually a beautiful ecosystem. The rise of Phoebe Bridgers and Wet Leg isn’t taking away from the headliners, it’s creating a feedback loop. Fans of SZA go to her show, hear her mention Phoebe, then dive into her discography, then find Wet Leg, then discover Arctic Monkeys’ new stuff. It’s organic growth. The music industry needs more of this, not less. Also, shoutout to the local venues keeping this alive. They’re not getting the headlines, but they’re the heartbeat.
Rae Blackburn
They’re all lying. The real tour is happening in secret. Beyoncé’s video? That was a signal to the Illuminati. The concerts are actually happening in underground bunkers. The ‘livestreams’? Just holograms to distract us. They’re using the music to control our dreams. I know because I had the same dream three nights in a row. The same bassline. The same red light. Wake up people
King Medoo
It’s not about the tours. It’s about capitalism. Every single one of these artists is owned by a conglomerate. Depeche Mode? Sony. SZA? RCA. Even Wet Leg? They’re on a label owned by Universal. The ‘intimate’ shows? Paid sponsorships. The ‘secret’ gigs? PR stunts. The ‘therapy’? A branding strategy. We’re not fans-we’re data points. And you’re all just feeding the machine. 🤖💔
Zoe Hill
wait so arctic monkeys are playing theaters now?? i saw them in 2017 at a stadium and i swear the sound was so bad i couldnt hear the lyrics once. i’m crying rn i’m so glad they’re going small. i need to hear every word. also i think alex turner just whispered ‘i miss you’ during ‘the ultracheese’ and i swear i felt it in my bones. thank you for this post. i’m buying tickets tomorrow. 🥺