Must-See Shows: The Hottest Concert Tours to Look Forward to in 2025
After record-breaking attendance and revenue numbers in 2024, the concert industry shows no signs of slowing down. From long-awaited reunions to victory laps from music’s biggest names, 2025 is shaping up to be another landmark year for live music. Whether you’re a devoted fan willing to splurge on VIP packages or a casual listener hoping to catch a memorable show, these upcoming tours should be on your radar.
Adele: “The Final Curtain”
Why It’s Hot: After years of Las Vegas residency success, Adele is finally taking her show on the road for what she’s calling her “last major tour for a very long time.” The British powerhouse has promised an intimate experience despite the stadium-sized venues, with a setlist spanning her entire career.
When: March-September 2025
Where: Major stadiums across North America, Europe, and Australia
What To Expect: Powerful vocals, personal storytelling between songs, and minimalist yet elegant production that keeps the focus on her voice. Early reports suggest a unique stage design that will bring Adele surprisingly close to fans even in massive venues.
Insider Tip: Tickets will be among the year’s most difficult to secure, with a verified fan presale system already announced to combat scalpers.
Rihanna: “Navy Revival”
Why It’s Hot: Following her groundbreaking Super Bowl halftime show performance, the long-awaited return of Rihanna to touring (and potentially new music) has fans in a frenzy. After an eight-year touring hiatus focused on her beauty and fashion empires, this comeback represents one of music’s most anticipated returns.
When: Summer 2025
Where: Global arena tour with special festival headlining dates
What To Expect: A career-spanning celebration of hits remixed and reimagined, stunning choreography, multiple costume changes, and possibly debuts of new material from her long-awaited ninth studio album.
Insider Tip: Join her official fan club now for early access to tickets, as the initial on-sale dates are expected to sell out instantly.
Kendrick Lamar: “The Parables Tour”
Why It’s Hot: After setting the hip-hop world ablaze with “Not Like Us” and his Drake feud, Kendrick is channeling that momentum into his most ambitious tour yet. The conceptual show promises to blend theatrical elements with hard-hitting performances that showcase why he’s considered one of rap’s greatest live performers.
When: April-August 2025
Where: Arenas and amphitheaters across North America, with international dates to follow
What To Expect: Intricate storytelling, surprise guest appearances from TDE labelmates, political commentary, and meticulous attention to both musical and visual detail.
Insider Tip: The most affordable tickets will be released through community initiatives in each city, so follow Kendrick’s social media for local announcements.
Billie Eilish: “The Evolution Tour”
Why It’s Hot: With each album cycle, Billie has transformed both sonically and visually. This tour promises to capture her growth from teenage phenomenon to mature artist, with multiple stage setups representing different eras of her career.
When: February-November 2025 (with breaks)
Where: Worldwide arena tour
What To Expect: Striking visual production, intimate acoustic segments, and the powerful connection with her audience that has made her previous tours so memorable.
Insider Tip: Eilish continues her commitment to sustainability, with eco-friendly merchandise and carbon offset initiatives tied to ticket sales.
Beyoncé & Jay-Z: “Legacy”
Why It’s Hot: Music’s power couple is teaming up once again, but with a unique twist: their three children will be incorporated into segments of the show. After Beyoncé’s country reinvention and Jay’s promised “final album,” this tour feels like a celebratory victory lap for the Carter family.
When: July-December 2025
Where: Stadium shows across five continents
What To Expect: Individual sets from both artists, collaborative performances, elaborate production, and carefully curated guest appearances representing artists they’ve mentored.
Insider Tip: Multiple ticket tiers will be available, but splurging for VIP includes access to a pre-show museum experience featuring costumes and memorabilia from both artists’ careers.
BTS: “Together Again”
Why It’s Hot: With military service completed for all members, this reunion tour represents K-pop’s biggest group coming back together after their individual endeavors. The demand for their return has created unprecedented anticipation, with their management already planning multiple dates in each city.
When: August 2025-January 2026
Where: Stadiums worldwide, with extended residencies in Seoul, Los Angeles, and London
What To Expect: New choreography incorporating their evolved individual styles, reimagined classics, and spectacular production values that push technological boundaries.
Insider Tip: The group’s official membership platform will be the only way to access presale tickets, so sign up well in advance.
Olivia Rodrigo: “Guts & Glory”
Why It’s Hot: After her meteoric rise and sophomore success, Rodrigo is graduating to arena headliner status with a show designed to showcase her growth as a performer. The tour will feature an expanded band and more rock elements than her previous outings.
When: March-November 2025
Where: Arenas worldwide
What To Expect: High-energy performances, raw emotional moments, and creative staging that transitions between intimate vulnerability and full-band power.
Insider Tip: Rodrigo is continuing her tradition of designating a limited number of affordable tickets for young fans through a lottery system in each city.
Bad Bunny: “Último Tour”
Why It’s Hot: The Puerto Rican superstar is capping off his incredible run with what he’s billing as his final tour before taking an extended hiatus. Expectations are astronomical following his record-breaking previous tours.
When: May-December 2025
Where: Stadiums throughout the Americas and Europe, with special dates in Puerto Rico
What To Expect: A career retrospective with regional surprises in each market, spectacular production designed specifically for massive venues, and an emotional celebration of his unprecedented impact on global music.
Insider Tip: The Puerto Rico shows will be a special extended format and will likely sell out immediately, so plan accordingly if you’re hoping to see him in his homeland.
Travis Scott: “Utopia Forever”
Why It’s Hot: Scott’s immersive approach to live performance continues to redefine what a rap concert can be, with this tour promising to blend music, art installations, gaming elements, and unique merch experiences into a multi-sensory event.
When: April-October 2025
Where: Arenas and festival headlining slots worldwide
What To Expect: Groundbreaking stage design, surprise drops of exclusive merchandise, and the controlled chaos that has made his shows legendary among fans.
Insider Tip: VIP packages include access to pop-up experiences before and after the show that will feature collaborations with artists and designers.
The Reunion Tours: Arctic Monkeys & The Strokes Co-Headlining
Why It’s Hot: Two of the most influential rock bands of the 2000s are joining forces for a tour that will have millennials scrambling for tickets. Both bands will play full sets with a special collaborative encore planned for each night.
When: June-September 2025
Where: Major venues across North America and Europe
What To Expect: Each band performing career-spanning sets with special attention to their breakthrough albums, with rumors of new collaborative material being debuted.
Insider Tip: Several festivals have booked exclusive appearances from this package, often with one band headlining Friday and the other Saturday, so festival tickets might be the best value to see both.
Rising Stars Package Tour: “New Icons”
Why It’s Hot: This innovative touring package brings together five of music’s most promising new artists—Tyla, Chappell Roan, Benson Boone, Sabrina Carpenter, and Jelly Roll—for a unique format where each performer gets a full set on a rotating schedule.
When: May-August 2025
Where: Amphitheaters across North America
What To Expect: An eclectic mix of styles, with collaboration opportunities and a festival-like atmosphere celebrating music’s next generation of headliners.
Insider Tip: Each date features a different running order, so check the specific lineup for your city if you’re hoping to see one artist in the prime closing slot.
With record ticket prices and unprecedented demand, securing spots at these hot tours will require planning, persistence, and in many cases, a healthy budget. Consider setting ticket alerts through official fan clubs, joining verified fan programs, and following artists’ social channels for pre-sale codes and special releases. While the secondary market will inevitably feature options for sold-out shows, the safest and most economical approach remains purchasing through official channels during initial sales.
Whether you’re a dedicated concert-goer or a casual fan considering your first major live music experience, 2025’s lineup of tours offers something for nearly every musical taste. Just be ready to move quickly when tickets go on sale—these will undoubtedly be among the hottest live events of the year.
