From Lady Gaga to Kendrick Lamar, from The Weeknd to AC/DC, 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for live music. As the calendar flips forward, the world’s biggest stars are hitting the road — bringing their energy, artistry, and spectacle to stages across North America. Whether you’re into pop, rock, hip-hop, or everything in between, this year’s lineup has it all: Kendrick and SZA teaming up after their Super Bowl spotlight, AC/DC powering through their thunderous Power Up tour, and Grammy-winner Sabrina Carpenter continuing her rise with the Short n’ Sweet experience.
Here’s your essential guide to the must-see concerts and festivals of 2025 — and keep checking back, because the road is just getting started.
May highlights: the season starts loud
With the festival circuit heating up and tour buses rolling across the country, May marks the explosive kickoff of 2025’s live music calendar. From comeback tours to dream lineups, here are some of the month’s biggest acts hitting the road — and the stages you won’t want to miss.
Rock icons & legends return
Lenny Kravitz sets the tone with his Blue Electric Light Tour (May 2 – Sept. 26), while Eric Clapton brings his blues-rock prowess across North America with support from The Wallflowers starting May 18. Meanwhile, James Taylor offers a gentler touch with An Evening With James Taylor and His All-Star Band (May 5 – Sept. 17), joined by up-and-coming folk trio Tiny Habits.
Pop, soul & nostalgia
Glee alum Lea Michele is back on the stage for her Live Tour (May 5 – June 28), while The Queens — Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, and Stephanie Mills — join forces for a powerful celebration of soul (May 10 – June 1). Lea, meet legends.
Indie & alt favorites
Indie mainstays Vampire Weekend return with Part 2 of their Only God Was Above Us Tour (May 10 – Sept. 27), supported by Geese and Turnstiles. Cult favorites Perfume Genius (Glory Tour, May 8 – June 27) and Peter Bjorn and John (Writer’s Block Album Tour, May 9 – 23) give May a poetic edge.
Heavier sounds, louder nights
Metalheads get their fix with Iron Maiden’s Run for Your Lives World Tour (May 27 – Aug. 2), and Cradle of Filth storms through their Deliciously Live Tour with support from Uada and Black Satellite (May 16 – 23). Meanwhile, Seether joins forces with Mammoth WVH, P.O.D., and Nonpoint for a short but fierce run (May 3 – 31).
Don’t miss these tours
Keith Urban headlines the High and Alive World Tour (May 3 – Oct. 17), with openers Chase Matthew, Alana Springsteen, and Karley Scott Collins.
The Weeknd expands his After Hours Til Dawn legacy tour with Playboi Carti and Mike Dean (May 9 – Sept. 3).
Hozier’s poetic Unreal Unearth Tour begins May 21 and stretches through fall.
K-pop juggernauts Stray Kids launch their Dominate World Tour (May 24 – June 29), bringing arena-sized energy across the continent.
Festival watch: May’s can’t-miss weekends
If you’re craving more than a single show, May’s festival roster offers something for every genre fan.
Sand in My Boots Festival (Gulf Shores, AL; May 16–18) blends country and pop with Morgan Wallen, Post Malone, and Brooks & Dunn.
EDC Las Vegas (May 16–18) returns with Tiësto, Illenium, and Dom Dolla lighting up the desert.
FreshGrass Bentonville (May 16–17) is a haven for bluegrass fans, headlined by Lukas Nelson, Shakey Graves, and Béla Fleck.
Lightning in a Bottle (Buena Vista Lake, CA; May 21–25) goes deep with Four Tet, Jamie xx, Khruangbin, and John Summit.
Outloud Music Festival (West Hollywood, CA; May 31–June 1) closes the month with vibrant LGBTQ+ celebration featuring Lizzo and Lil Nas X.
June highlights: Summer in full swing
By June, the summer tour circuit is blazing ahead, offering everything from nostalgic rock reunions to glittering Pride lineups. Whether you’re road-tripping to a legendary festival or catching a one-night-only stadium show, this month has a sound for every fan.
Legends & legacy acts
The month kicks off with Wu-Tang Clan’s final lap on the Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber tour, joined by Run the Jewels (June 6 – July 18). Meanwhile, Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts launch their environmentally conscious Love Earth World Tour (June 18 – Sept. 15), and Earth, Wind & Fire keep the funk alive on their summer run (June 14 – Aug. 10).
Alt rock & pop staples
June sees a wave of ‘90s and 2000s favorites return to the stage: Counting Crows pair up with The Gaslight Anthem (June 10 – Aug. 23), and Incubus take fans back with their Morning View + The Hits Tour (June 25 – Oct. 4), featuring Manchester Orchestra. Add Def Leppard to the list, launching a U.S. trek with support from Bret Michaels, The Struts, and Extreme (June 23 – Aug. 31).
Eccentric energy
You can’t have June without something a little weird — which is where “Weird Al” Yankovic comes in. His Bigger & Weirder Tour runs June 13 – Sept. 25, promising parodies and polka like no one else can deliver.
Genre-eenders & rising voices
Genre-defying acts also take the spotlight. Jessie Reyez kicks off her Paid in Memories Tour (June 10 – Dec. 5) with support from Raahiim, while Finn Wolfhard, best known for Stranger Things, steps deeper into his music career with a short U.S. tour (June 5 – 13). And metal fans get a dose of chaos when Babymetal storms North America with Black Veil Brides, Jinjer, and Bloodywood (June 13 – July 23).
Festival watch: June’s power players
June is when festival season hits its peak, and 2025 offers a full buffet of epic weekends — coast to coast and beyond.
Lil Wayne: Tha Carter VI Live — One night only at Madison Square Garden (June 6), as the rap legend debuts his latest.
World Pride Music Festival (Washington, D.C., June 6–7) — A rainbow-streaked celebration starring Jennifer Lopez and Troye Sivan.
Governor’s Ball (NYC, June 6–8) — Big-name energy with Tyler, the Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, and Hozier.
Beyond Wonderland: Chicago (June 7–8) — An electronic dreamland with Marshmello, Afrojack, and Meduza.
Bonnaroo (Tennessee, June 12–15) — A genre-blending monster: Luke Combs, Olivia Rodrigo, Hozier, and more.
Warped Tour returns! The emo-punk staple rises again, starting in Washington, D.C. (June 14–15) with All Time Low, The Maine, and more.
Summerfest (Milwaukee; June 19–21, 26–28) — Spanning three weekends with everyone from The Lumineers to Megan Thee Stallion.
Electric Forest (Michigan, June 19–22) — A lush, surreal experience featuring Justice, Tiësto, and Louis the Child.
Beyond Wonderland: Washington (June 21–22) — A second round of EDM madness, now with Chase & Status, DJ Snake, and Illenium.
Glastonbury (U.K., June 25–29) — The holy grail of festivals brings The 1975, Neil Young, and Olivia Rodrigo to Worthy Farm.
July highlights: Stadium dreams & summer school
July turns up the volume with a fiery blend of world tours, long-awaited reunions, and high-energy festival weekends. Whether you’re diving into a stadium-wide emo singalong or catching an indie icon at sunset, this month’s calendar proves that summer 2025 is a non-stop celebration of sound.
Stadium spectacles & iconic returns
Few lineups this year rival My Chemical Romance’s Long Live: The Black Parade Stadium Tour (July 11 – Sept. 13), a gothic-pop blowout featuring rotating support from Garbage, Pixies, Death Cab for Cutie, and more. Matching that scale is Lady Gaga, launching her electrifying Mayhem Ball Tour (July 16 – Dec. 13), and Oasis, back with the massive Live ’25 Tour (July 4 – Nov. 23), marking one of the most buzzed-about reunions in years.
Also in comeback mode: Creed and their Summer of ’99 Tour (July 9 – Aug. 20), flanked by post-grunge pals 3 Doors Down, Daughtry, and Mammoth WVH.
Pop, punk, and planet Earth
Kesha hits the road with the no-holds-barred Tits Out Tour (July 1 – Aug. 10), joined by hyperpop darlings Rose Gray and Slayyyter. The Lumineers begin the North American leg of their Automatic World Tour (July 3 – Oct. 14), while K-pop global icons Blackpink tour select U.S. cities (July 12 – 27).
Elsewhere, The Offspring power through punk territory with Jimmy Eat World and New Found Glory (July 11 – Sept. 7), and Ghost launches the spine-tingling Skeletour (July 9 – Sept. 25).
New sounds, old souls
July also welcomes alternative favorites and cult heroes: Yeah Yeah Yeahs (July 9 – 30), TV on the Radio (July 29 – Sept. 21), and Father John Misty (July 12 – 31) add thoughtful chaos to the summer slate. Meanwhile, country-pop legend Shania Twain brings sparkle with her Summer 2025 Tour (July 5 – Aug. 1), and Pantera’s thunderous metal revival storms through arenas (July 15 – Sept. 13).
Don’t miss the idobi Radio Summer School Tour (July 11 – Aug. 10), a Gen Z showcase featuring Charlotte Sands, Rain City Drive, and more — a rising-star lineup built for sticky, sweaty club nights.
Festival watch: Mid-summer meltdowns
July’s festivals embrace everything from Southern soul to indie rock nostalgia — with stops for culture, community, and craft beer.
Zootown Festival (Missoula, MT, July 4–5) — Americana meets folk-rock, with Hozier, Kacey Musgraves, and Mt. Joy under big sky vibes.
ESSENCE Festival of Culture (New Orleans, July 4–5) — A cornerstone of Black culture and music, headlined by Janet Jackson, Boyz II Men, and Maxwell.
Minnesota Yacht Club Festival (St. Paul, July 18–20) — Rock royalty and indie icons unite: Green Day, Weezer, Fall Out Boy, and Hozier.
Under the Big Sky (Whitefish, MT, July 18–20) — Rootsy and rugged, with Tyler Childers, Wynonna Judd, and The Red Clay Strays.
Create & Cultivate Festival (Los Angeles, July 19–20) — A blend of music and entrepreneurship, headlined by genre-breaking rapper Doechii.
Project Pabst (Portland, OR, July 26–27) — An alt-rock feast with Iggy Pop, Death Cab for Cutie, Devo, and Japanese Breakfast.
Festival watch: Peak season, maximum energy
August is a golden month for festivalgoers, featuring some of the year’s most stacked and diverse lineups.
Lollapalooza (Chicago, Aug. 1–4) — A genre-defying juggernaut with Megan Thee Stallion, Sza, Stray Kids, Hozier, and Future x Metro Boomin anchoring four days of chaos and catharsis.
HARD Summer (L.A., Aug. 2–3) — EDM dominance with Gesaffelstein, Kaytranada, Dom Dolla, and Feid lighting up the West Coast.
Elements Festival (Long Pond, PA, Aug. 8–10) — A mystical fusion of music and arts, headlined by Deadmau5, Illenium, and Rezz.
Outside Lands (San Francisco, Aug. 8–10) — Golden Gate vibes with headliners Doja Cat, Tyler, The Creator, Hozier, Vampire Weekend, and rising star Doechii.
Reading & Leeds (U.K., Aug. 21–24) — Transatlantic mayhem returns with Travis Scott, Chappell Roan, Bring Me the Horizon, and Limp Bizkit leading the British blowout.
September highlights: Britpop resurrections & sonic explorations
As autumn creeps in, September taps into nostalgia and nuance — reuniting icons, amplifying indie voices, and layering festival lineups with both grit and grace. From Moisturizer Tours to Britpop revivals, the month is as strange and satisfying as a mixtape made for a crush.
British invasion, redux
It’s a Britpop renaissance on U.S. soil. Pulp brings sardonic swagger to Here Comes More Pulp Live 2025 (Sept. 4–26), while Supergrass celebrates three decades of I Should Coco (Sept. 2–12) with bratty riffs and boundless energy. Alt-icons Garbage go darkly cinematic on The Happy Endings Tour (Sept. 3–Nov. 2), and the cultishly beloved The Beta Band reunite (Sept. 25–Nov. 1) in a swirl of lo-fi psychedelia.
Meanwhile, Wet Leg rolls out the perfectly named North American Moisturizer Tour (Sept. 1–Oct. 17), bringing post-punk cheek and Mary in the Junkyard as support. Experimentalists Sparks (Sept. 5–30), Jenny Hval (Sept. 5–17), and Destroyer (Sept. 23–Oct. 26) push sonic boundaries, joined by kindred spirits like Cass McCombs and Jennifer Castle.
From ethereal to eviscerating
Folk-rockers Big Thief launch the Somersault Slide 360 Tour (Sept. 17–Nov. 7), likely filled with raw emotion and strange beauty. Meanwhile, Sleep Token (Sept. 16–Oct. 11) mixes metal with melody for one of the fall’s most intense offerings, and Bring Me the Horizon returns to the States with USA Ascension Program Part 01 (Sept. 21–Oct. 5), inviting fans to worship at the altar of chaos-core.
Iconic folk outfit The Waterboys (Sept. 4–Oct. 4) tour in earnest, while avant-pop devotees chase every moment of Jenny Hval’s return. September, in short, has something for every ear.
Festival watch: Sea breezes & city beats
Fall’s arrival doesn’t slow the festival momentum. In fact, it sharpens it — mixing coastal escapes with downtown blowouts.
Evanston Folk Festival (Dawes Park, Ill., Sept. 6–7) — A lakeside, leafy affair starring Margo Price, Iron & Wine, and Watchhouse.
Bourbon & Beyond (Louisville, Sept. 11–14) — Americana, alt-rock, and aged spirits unite under the stars with Jack White, The Lumineers, Noah Kahan, and Phish.
Sea.Hear.Now (Asbury Park, Sept. 13–14) — Surf meets sound with LCD Soundsystem, Hozier, Lenny Kravitz, and Blink-182.
Shaky Knees (Atlanta, Sept. 19–21) — A distortion-heavy lineup led by Deftones, My Chemical Romance, and Blink-182.
Sing Out Loud Festival (St. Augustine, Sept. 20–21) — A beachside gem with Beabadoobee and another victory lap for Hozier.
Pulp & LCD Soundsystem Live at the Hollywood Bowl (L.A., Sept. 25–26) — Possibly the most stylish double-bill of the season.
Oceans Calling (Ocean City, Md., Sept. 26–28) — Power-packed with Green Day, Noah Kahan, Vampire Weekend, Fall Out Boy, and Weezer.
October highlights: Echoes, experiments, and emotional time machines
October trades summer’s wild swirl for introspection, reunion, and finely tuned musicianship. It’s the season of anniversary tours, genre-benders, and indie legends stepping softly but decisively into the spotlight.
Legends, loops & lyricism
Neko Case returns with her haunting, elemental voice on a North American run (Oct. 1–Nov. 25), supported by the baroque-pop genius of John Grant and D.C. punk-blues outfit Des Demonas. Belfast rap provocateurs Kneecap (Oct. 3–28) bring Irish language anthems and sharp political wit across the Atlantic, while GoGo Penguin (Oct. 5–Nov. 23) fuses jazz, electronica, and cinematic minimalism in immersive live sets.
Seattle math-rock pioneers Minus the Bear dust off Menos el Oso for a 20th anniversary tour (Oct. 4–Nov. 29), giving longtime fans a bittersweet blast from the mid-2000s indie blog era.
Festivals in full bloom
Though technically deep into fall, October’s biggest festivals hum with full-throttle energy and community. Austin City Limits (Oct. 3–5 and 10–12) once again anchors Texas’s music calendar, balancing pop perfection (Sabrina Carpenter, Doja Cat), roots and indie excellence (Hozier, The Strokes), and clubland crossover (John Summit, Doechii).
Then there’s the scene-kid Super Bowl: When We Were Young (Las Vegas, Oct. 18), where Panic! at the Disco, Blink-182, The Used, and Taking Back Sunday lead an emo-punk throwback so potent it might make you dye your hair black again.
The year begins loud: Winter & spring 2025’s grand opening acts
While the chill of February might suggest hibernation, the music world has other plans. 2025 launches with a tidal wave of major tours, reunions, and fresh debuts—setting the tone for a year that promises both scale and surprise.
Chart-toppers & crossovers
Ed Sheeran kicks off his Mathematics Tour redux on Feb. 5, stretching his arena-pop rule well into September. Not to be outshone, Billie Eilish unveils her ambitious Hit Me Hard and Soft world tour on Feb. 18, pushing genre boundaries and emotional range alike. Global icons Shakira (Feb. 11 – Jun. 30) and Justin Timberlake (Feb. 14 – 27) return with spectacle and swagger, while Mary J. Blige (Feb. 6 – Apr. 19) pairs up with Ne-Yo and Mario for a soul-slick R&B showcase.
Tyler, the Creator’s Chromakopia tour (Feb. 8 – July 28), with support from Lil Yachty and Paris Texas, blends streetwear couture, warped beats, and off-kilter brilliance—one of the most anticipated hip-hop tours of the year.
Veterans, visionaries & indie roots
Billy Joel, ever the road warrior, launches a new tour cycle (Feb. 8 – July 2026), while Elvis Costello (Feb. 24 – July 12) crisscrosses North America with razor-sharp songwriting still fully intact. Meanwhile, alternative luminaries Waxahatchee (Feb. 21 – Sept. 19) and Jack White (Feb. 11 – May 24) carry the torch for guitar-driven reinvention.
On the heavier side, Disturbed roars through a 25th-anniversary celebration of The Sickness (Feb. 25 – Oct. 28), joined by metal mainstays like Megadeth, Three Days Grace, and Sevendust.
And for those craving the slow burn, Slow Joy’s intimate headlining tour (Feb. 5 – Mar. 23) blends shoegaze textures and desert rock haze—one to catch in small rooms before the venues grow.
Spring Awakening: March Through Early Summer’s Must-See Tours & Festivals
As winter’s grip loosens, 2025’s live music calendar heats up with a dazzling array of tours spanning genres, generations, and stages large and small. March kicks off with dancefloor staples and rock icons, setting a tone of eclectic energy.
Pop, electronic & indie powerhouses
Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet Tour runs an impressive stretch from early March to late November, showcasing her evolving pop sound. Dua Lipa follows closely with her Radical Optimism Tour (March 17 – Oct. 16), blending disco grooves and arena anthems that keep fans dancing through the year.
Pioneers of electronic music Kraftwerk bring their innovative Multimedia Concerts (March 6 – April 24), while LCD Soundsystem cranks up the dance-punk pulse on their North American trek (March 6 – Sept. 26), supported by rising indie acts like Gustaf and Nation of Language.
Rock & alternative legends
Rock veterans Sting (March 13 – July 2026) and Heart (March 20 – Aug. 30) deliver powerhouse performances steeped in decades of hits, while the indie-folk brilliance of Jason Isbell (March 20 – July 23) and the introspective allure of Bright Eyes (March 20 – July 12) provide soul-stirring counterpoints.
Fans of garage and punk rock will find thrills in Amyl and the Sniffers’ Cartoon Darkness World Tour (March 25 – May 23), while the Goo Goo Dolls (March 25 – Sept. 12) bring melodic rock anthems with support from Dashboard Confessional.
Unique sounds & rising voices
Dream-pop pioneer FKA Twigs embarks on her Eusexua Tour (March 26 – April 19), and alternative folk artist Beth Gibbons (March 27 – April 20) adds a haunting, ethereal texture to the spring lineup. Emerging voices like Fana Hues and Kelly Lee Owens provide fresh perspectives, proving 2025’s spring is as much about discovery as celebration.
Festival frenzy
Festival season ignites with CRSSD Festival in San Diego (March 1–2), spotlighting dance heavyweights Fisher and Justice. In Phoenix, M3F Fest (March 7–8) continues the electronic charge with LCD Soundsystem and Sylvan Esso. California’s Beyond Wonderland (March 28–29) caps the month with top-tier EDM acts like Deadmau5 and Dreamstate, setting the stage for a summer of unforgettable festival experiences.
Powerhouse spring & early summer tours: April to June 2025
As the festival flags unfurl across the U.S., the spring and early summer of 2025 deliver a breathtaking lineup of tours that span rock legends, genre-defining icons, and rising stars. From expansive stadium shows to intimate theaters, these months are packed with must-see live music.
Rock titans & legends return
Rock royalty are everywhere this spring: AC/DC ignite the Power Up North American Tour (April 10 – May 28) supported by The Pretty Reckless, while Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo bring classic rock power to the stage (April 11 – June 1).
Meanwhile, iconic acts like Metallica launch their M72 World Tour (April 19 – June 29) backed by heavy hitters Limp Bizkit and Pantera, and Pearl Jam dive into their Dark Matter U.S. Tour (April 24 – May 18), keeping their legendary status untarnished.
The ever-innovative Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds embark on The Wild God Tour (April 15 – May 17), weaving their dark, poetic stories into live performances that are as captivating as ever.
Pop, hip-hop & genre-benders
Superstars Beyoncé kick off her Cowboy Carter Tour (April 28 – July 26) with a fresh blend of powerhouse vocals and dazzling stagecraft, while Post Malone fills stadiums on his Big Ass Stadium Tour (April 29 – July 1) with support from genre-spanning artists like Jelly Roll and Sierra Ferrell.
Trailblazers Kendrick Lamar and SZA bring their Grand National Tour (April 19 – June 18), pairing lyrical brilliance with dynamic stage presence, while Charli XCX ignites pop arenas on her Brat 2025 Arena Tour (April 22 – May 4).
The iconic Coldplay continues their Music of the Spheres World Tour (April 8 – Sept. 8) featuring soulful support acts Willow, Elyanna, and Ayra Starr, captivating crowds with their anthemic sound.
Alternative & indie highlights
Alternative stalwarts Wilco (April 25 – Aug. 30) team up with indie darling Waxahatchee, while the art-rock brilliance of Japanese Breakfast (April 12 – Sept. 9) tours with Ginger Root, mixing ethereal textures with catchy hooks.
Post-punk revivalists Fontaines D.C. hit the road for their USA 2025 Tour (April 17 – May 18), and veteran alternative metal band System of a Down command the stage on their Spring 2025 Tour (April 24 – Sept. 5).
Festival season ignites
The legendary Coachella Festival in Indio, California (April 11-13, 18-20) anchors the spring festival calendar, with headliners including Green Day, Lady Gaga, and Post Malone promising unforgettable performances in the desert sun.
