Music
The 18 Biggest Tours Of Summer 2024
An Avril Lavigne greatest-hits run and Charli XCX raves are on the schedule.
It’s finally summer, which means the busiest season for live music has officially commenced. Amid countless festivals (and the boutique-ier tropical experiences), the hottest ticket might actually be a regular old concert, as it seems anyone who’s anyone has plotted out a course to play the United States in the coming months.
From legacy rock acts like Blink-182 and Green Day, to industry titans like Missy Elliott and Jennifer Lopez, to pop stars Charli XCX and Maggie Rogers, arenas across the country will be playing host to major band reunions and dance-until-you-sweat raves. Below, NYLON rounds up the 18 must-see tours to catch — including our notes on what to expect and the best way to pregame.
Anitta
When: Now through July 8
Where: United States, South America, Europe
Who’s opening: It’s a one-woman show; no openers are scheduled for the tour.
What to expect: The superstar is bringing the best of Brazilian funk stateside, which means a full band, intense choreo, and of course, a lot of ass-shaking.
The pregame soundtrack: Her new album, Funk Generation
Purchase tickets here.
Megan Thee Stallion
When: Now through July 27
Where: United States, Europe
Who’s opening: GloRilla
What to expect: Officially called the “Hot Girl Summer Tour,” the rapper’s latest show is full spectacle, with her already bringing out Cardi B as a surprise guest during her stop at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.
The pregame soundtrack: Her latest singles “BOA,” “Wanna Be,” “Hiss,” and “Cobra.”
Purchase tickets here.
Avril Lavigne
When: Now through Sept. 18
Where: United States, Canada
Who’s opening: All Time Low, Royal & The Serpent, Simple Plan, or Girlfriends open on select dates.
What to expect: It’s her Greatest Hits tour, so expect performances of, well, her greatest hits, from “Sk8er Boi” to “Girlfriend.”
The pregame soundtrack: Revisit Let Go, Under My Skin, and The Best Damn Thing.
Purchase tickets here.
Bleachers
When: Now through Oct. 4
Where: United States, Europe
Who’s opening: Samia opens all U.S. shows.
What to expect: This is the largest tour for Jack Antonoff’s band to date, but don’t expect any surprise pop-star guests here; instead, you’ll get an energetic rendition of their new album, Bleachers.
The pregame soundtrack: The band’s new self-titled album
Purchase tickets here.
Maggie Rogers
When: Now through Nov. 2
Where: United States
Who’s opening: The Japanese House and Ryan Beatty open on select dates.
What to expect: The singer’s first-ever arena tour will support her latest album, Don’t Forget Me. It marked a folkier turn for the singer, which she’s embraced with a full band (and an unfussy-but-elegant wardrobe).
The pregame soundtrack: Don’t Forget Me, naturally
Purchase tickets here.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
When: May 28-July 30
Where: United States
Who’s opening: Rapper Ken Carson, Kid Cudi, Irontom, Wand, Ice Cube, Seun Kuti & Egypt80, and Otoboke Beaver open on select dates.
What to expect: The legacy rockers have entered a renewed phase of their three-decades-long career as they perform brand-new music alongside a global, genre-spanning slate of openers.
The pregame soundtrack: The band’s 2022 record, Unlimited Love
Purchase tickets here.
Green Day
When: May 30-Sept. 28
Where: Europe, United States, Canada
Who’s opening: Smashing Pumpkins, The Linda Lindas, Rancid, Nothing but Thieves, The Hives, The Interrupters, Donots, or Maid of Ace open on select dates.
What to expect: According to a news release, the tour will feature a “larger-than-life and career-spanning” show big enough to fill out stadiums. It coincides with the 30th anniversary of Dookie and the 20th anniversary of American Idiot, so we’ll probably see significant revisits of those records.
The pregame soundtrack: The band’s new album, Saviors
Purchase tickets here.
Bikini Kill
When: June 1-Sept. 12
Where: Europe, United States, Canada
Who’s opening: Comet Gain, Big Joanie, Tropical F*ck Storm, Snoozers, R.Aggs, The Ghost Ease, Death Valley Girls, Black Belt Eagle Scout, Cheap Perfume, Shadow Show, Birthday Girl, Sweeping Promises, Retail Simps, and Blisster open select shows.
What to expect: Fresh off the release of her new memoir Rebel Girl, Kathleen Hanna and Bikini Kill are reviving riot grrrl with their first U.S. shows since 2019. And who knows? Maybe Olivia Rodrigo will show up.
The pregame soundtrack: The band’s seminal album Revolution Girl Style Now
Purchase tickets here.
Janet Jackson
When: June 4-Oct. 10
Where: United States, Canada, Europe
Who’s opening: Nelly opens on all dates.
What to expect: The pop star’s first major tour since 2019 is a two-fold anniversary celebration: of Jackson’s 50th year in the industry and of Rhythm Nation’s 35th year out. As previewed in some rehearsal footage, expect big hair and bigger dance routines as she revisits the classics.
The pregame soundtrack: Celebrate 25, 30, and 35 years of The Velvet Rope, Janet, and Rhythm Nation.
Purchase tickets here
Alanis Morissette
When: June 9-Aug. 10
Where: United States
Who’s opening: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and Morgan Wade open select shows.
What to expect: Over 30 years since her debut, Morissette will bring an oeuvre-spanning show to amphitheaters and pavilions across the United States, alongside peer Joan Jett and rising country singer Morgan Wade.
The pregame soundtrack: Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill, Jett’s Changeup, and Wade’s Psychopath
Purchase tickets here.
Adrienne Lenker
When: June 9-Nov. 26
Where: United States
Who’s opening: Nick Hakim, Twain, Steve Fisher, and Suzanne Vallie
What to expect: The Big Thief frontwoman is a masterful singer, songwriter, and guitarist, so expect an intimate and sincere set that puts her skill at the forefront.
The pregame soundtrack: Her new album, Bright Future
Purchase tickets here.
Foo Fighters
When: June 13-Aug. 18
Where: Europe, United States
Who’s opening: The Hives, Amyl and the Sniffers, Wet Leg, Courtney Barnett, Honeyblood, Shame, Hot Milk, Himalayas, Pretenders, Mammoth WVH, or Alex G open on select dates.
What to expect: Two years since the passing of drummer Taylor Hawkins, the rock titans are still going on strong as they support their 2023 album But Here We Are. A new drummer, Josh Freese, has joined the band, and their tour is an hourslong look back (and forward).
The pregame soundtrack: The band’s 2023 album, But Here We Are
Purchase tickets here.
Blink-182
When: June 20-Aug. 30
Where: United States, Europe, Canada
Openers: Pierce the Veil, Alexisonfire, Astronoid, Drain, Ekkstacy, Jxdn, Landon Barker, Live Without, and Hot Milk open select shows.
What to expect: When we saw Blink-182 at Coachella 2023, it was the same rowdy, foul-mouthed performance we remembered. We imagine this tour will be no different, with the addition of their 2023 album One More Time...
The pregame soundtrack: The band’s 2023 album, One More Time...
Purchase tickets here.
Jennifer Lopez
When: June 26-Aug. 17
Where: United States, Canada
Who’s opening: No openers are scheduled.
What to expect: The arena run, initially set to promote her latest album, This Is Me... Now, will now be a “greatest hits” endeavor, so you might expect an elongated version of her 2020 Super Bowl performance. And abs — lots of abs.
The pregame soundtrack: This Is Me... Now
Purchase tickets here.
Missy Elliott
Dates: July 4-Aug. 23
Region: United States, Canada
Openers: Ciara and Busta Rhymes open at select shows.
What to expect: As Elliott’s first-ever headlining tour, Out of This World: The Experience will be a celebration of the legacy that is Missy, complete with new music and her signature futuristic vision.
The pregame soundtrack: Supa Dupa Fly and Miss E... So Addictive
Purchase tickets here.
St. Vincent
When: Aug. 8-Sept. 20
Where: United States
Who’s opening: Spoon, Eartheater, Yves Tumor, or Dorian Electra open on select dates.
What to expect: At a recent show, Annie Clark climbed on a table to scream her songs. Expect that energy to continue on this intimate, 15-date run.
The pregame soundtrack: Stream her new album, All Born Screaming
Purchase tickets here.
Kacey Musgraves
When: Sept. 4-Dec. 7
Where: United States, Canada
Who’s opening: Father John Misty, Nickel Creek, and Lord Huron open on select dates.
What to expect: The arena shows will center around her latest project, Deeper Well, and hopefully provide more unforgettable meme moments.
The pregame soundtrack: Deeper Well
Purchase tickets here.
Charli XCX & Troye Sivan
When: Sept. 14-Oct. 23
Where: United States
Who’s opening: DJ and singer Shygirl opens on all dates.
What to expect: The two pop stars have booked arenas for this tour, but that hasn’t stopped them from promising intimate debauchery. According to a news release, they’ll be bringing a rave with “exhilarating performances, stunning visuals, and infectious beats.”
The pregame soundtrack: XCX’s Brat, and Sivan’s Something to Give Each Other
Purchase tickets here.
