A new year means new opportunities to see all the great shows that will take place this year. While 2022 was a big year for performers of all genres, here are 12 concert tours to check out in the new year. From legendary talents like Janet Jackson and Shania Twain to record-breaking performers like Ed Sheeran, TicketSmarter has put together a list of what we believe to be the 12 best concerts to check out in the new year. Read on for more details about these tours taking place across the country.
Quick note for 2025 readers: several of these blockbuster tours launched in 2023 and 2024, with some artists extending into 2025 through new legs, special events, or residencies. Where helpful, we added brief updates so you can plan your next concert with confidence.
1. SZA & Omar Apollo
R&B star SZA will embark on her first arena tour with the singer Omar Apollo as the opening act. The S.O.S. tour will kick off on Feb. 21 at the Value City Arena and marks this Grammy Award winner’s first tour in six years. Having collaborated with high-profile musicians like Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, and Kendrick Lamar, SZA is a dynamic performer that enchants fans with her poetic lyrics and velvety vocals. Those with tickets to the S.O.S. tour can expect to hear popular tracks from S.O.S., like “Kill Bill” and “Shirt.”
2025 update: SZA and Kendrick Lamar co-headlined the Grand National Tour in 2025, a global run that began on April 19 in Minneapolis and wrapped August 9 in Stockholm, showing how her arena presence has only grown.
2. Janet Jackson & Ludacris
The “Rhythm Nation” singer caused a commotion after dropping news of her upcoming tour last year. Janet Jackson’s Together Again tour will kick off on April 14 at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Fla., joined by star rapper Ludacris. You do not want to miss what is sure to be one of the most exciting concert tours this year. Feel the rhythm and get down to hit songs like “Act a Fool,” “Got ‘Til It’s Gone,” “All for You” and more with Janet Jackson tickets.
2025 update: Together Again ran from April 14, 2023, to October 10, 2024. Janet followed it with a 2025 residency, Janet Jackson: Las Vegas, at Resorts World Theatre running through September 20, 2025.
3. Lynyrd Skynyrd & ZZ Top
The Sharp Dressed Simple Man tour begins on Feb. 23 in San Antonio, Texas, and ends on Sep. 17 in Camden, N.J. ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd are both Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees and together have sold nearly 80 million records worldwide. Rock fans can look forward to Lynyrd Skynyrd performing hits like “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird,” along with ZZ Top favorites such as “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Gimme All Your Lovin.’”
2025 update: This co-headline run took place across 2023 and set the template for multi-genre, legacy-rock pairings fans love to see live.
4. Muse
Make sure you grab tickets to see this English rock band take the stage as they go on their Will of the People World Tour. The North American leg of Muse’s tour will begin on Jan. 14 in Los Angeles at The Kia Forum, before finishing on May 6 in Atlanta. Coming along for the ride will be the rock band, Evanescence, known for hits like “My Immortal” and “Bring Me to Life.” This tour will support Muse’s ninth album with the same name.
Listen live as Muse perform songs from their newest album like the hit single “Won’t Stand Down,” described by Guitar World as their “heaviest material yet.” The single reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in May 2022 — Muse’s first to top that chart — underscoring the heavier sound noted by Guitar World. For current availability and new show announcements, check Muse tickets.
5. Taylor Swift
Excited Swifties celebrated the announcement of Taylor Swifts’ The Eras tour would launch in 2023, featuring music from all of her albums, including newer releases like Lover (2019), Evermore (2020), and Midnights (2022). Some of the supporting acts for this tour include Paramore, Gracie Abrams, and Beabadoobee.
With 11 Grammy Awards and more than 90 Guinness World Records, Taylor Swift is one of the most highly praised and influential singer-songwriters in the world. Watch Swift dominate during her second stadium tour, with hits like “Bad Blood,” “Anti-Hero,” “Cardigan” and more.
Independent analysis shows large stadium tours like The Eras Tour produce major local economic boosts — the U.S. Travel Association estimated the first U.S. leg of Swift’s tour generated over $10 billion in total economic impact (about $5 billion in direct spending). [Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour continued into 2024 with additional international and North American dates. For context on the scope and recent legs, see our Insider guide, Taylor Swift Announces New 2024 Dates for The Eras Tour.](https://www.ticketsmarter.com/insider/concerts/taylor-swift-the-eras-tour/)
2025 update: The Eras Tour continued into 2024 with additional international and North American dates. For context on the scope and recent legs, see our Insider guide, Taylor Swift Announces New 2024 Dates for The Eras Tour.
6. John Mellencamp
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee is back to performing live with his Strictly a One-Eyed Jack tour, supporting his 24th album with the same name. Along with Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen, John “Cougar” Mellencamp is a pioneer of the genre known as ‘heartland rock’. This style of rock focuses on the struggles of the Midwest blue-collar working class, with characteristics of roots and folk rock music. Audiences will be happy to hear Mellencamp’s newer music alongside favorites like “Jack & Diane,” “Pink Houses” and “Hurts So Good.”
7. Morgan Wallen
Dubbed by The New Yorker as “the most wanted man in country,” Morgan Wallen is a country act that you will not want to miss seeing in concert. Luckily, tickets for Wallen’s One Night at a Time World tour are still available for you and your friends to enjoy. Fans are in for a treat when Wallen performs hits like “Whiskey Glasses,” “Tennessee Fan,” and “Wasted On You.” Some of his recent achievements include being awarded Favorite Country Song and Favorite Male Country Artist at the 2022 AMAs. Starting on April 14 at the American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wis., special guests Bailey Zimmerman, Hardy, Parker McCollum, and ERNEST will join Morgan Wallen on the road.
8. P!nk
This pop-rock star has been thrilling crowds with her music since her debut in 2000 and has released eight studio albums and sold more than 60 million albums. The Pink Summer Carnival tour will mark P!nk’s eighth concert run and will support her latest album, Trustfall (2023). P!nk performed the lead single of the album, “Never Gonna Not Dance Again” at the 2022 American Music Awards. The Pink Summer Carnival’s North American leg starts on July 24 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. Joining the “So What” and “U + Ur Hand” singer on tour will be Brandi Carlile, Grouplove, Pat Benatar, and Neil Giraldo.
9. Bryce Vine
Bryce Vine made his break into the mainstream music scene with the release of his debut album Carnival (2019) with the hit tracks “Drew Barrymore” and “La La Land.” Both songs made it onto the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and were certified platinum by the RIAA. Bryce Vine’s Serotonin Tour will support this rising artist’s latest Ep Mixed Feelings. The tour kicks off on Feb. 22 in Montreal and will make stops in major North American cities like Seattle, Atlanta, Chicago and Dallas. Opening for Vine during his tour is Black Party, an up-and-coming R&B singer from Little Rock, Ark.
10. Shania Twain
The Queen of Country Pop is hitting the road for her fifth headlining tour, the Queen of Me Tour. Known for hits like “Man! I Feel Like A Woman” and “That Don’t Impress Me Much,” Shania Twain is a Canadian country singer cited by the RIAA as the only female artist with three consecutive Diamond-certified albums. Industry certification data confirm Shania Twain is one of the few women with multiple RIAA Diamond-certified albums (she and Whitney Houston lead women with three each). [Shania Twain is cited as a major influential figure for other artists like Taylor Swift, Post Malone, and Harry Styles.](https://www.ticketsmarter.com/p/shania-twain-tickets)
Besides the five Grammy awards under her belt, Twain received stars on the Hollywood and Canadian Walk of Fame and many other accolades. At the 48th People’s Choice Awards, they gave Shania Twain the honor of receiving the Music Icon Award. Country fans will not want to miss out on seeing this legendary singer live, when her tour begins April 28 in Spokane, Wash.
11. New Edition
New Edition is a classic R&B group that has now made it onto two of TicketSmarter’s best concert tour lists. Formed by Bobby Brown in 1981, New Edition was styled as a blueprint for a modern boy band, modeled after the Jackson 5. With hits like “Candy Girl,” “Mr. Telephone Man” and “If It Isn’t Love,” New Edition’s Legacy tour will have R&B fans jamming along to their music. With their contributions to the music industry, the group received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2017. Soul and R&B fans will not want to miss the Legacy Tour when it kicks off on Feb. 16 at the Columbus Civic Center in Georgia. Joining them on tour will be fellow R&B artists Keith Sweat and Guy.
12. Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran’s +–=÷x (Mathematics) Tour World Tour is currently underway, with the North American portion set to begin later this summer at major stadiums in cities like Toronto, Kansas City, Detroit, and Houston. Sheeran is a top award-winning artist that has broken records with his music. His previous Divide tour set the world record for the highest-grossing concert tour of all time; Pollstar recorded Ed Sheeran’s ÷ (Divide) Tour as the highest-grossing tour to that date, with $775.6 million in ticket sales across 255 performances. Grab tickets to see this British singer-songwriter perform popular hits like “Shape of You,” “Photograph,” “Sing” and more.
Looking ahead, Ed has announced a stadium-profile return with a 2026 North American Loop Tour spanning June through November. For current listings, check Ed Sheeran tickets and see more context on stadium routing in our Insider coverage, Ed Sheeran North American Stadium Tour.
Find Great Concert Tickets
No matter what type of show you’re looking to attend, TicketSmarter will help get the concert tickets you need. If you are comparing arena and stadium options across genres, start at the TicketSmarter concerts hub to explore tours, dates, and venues nationwide.
FAQs: Must-see tours, tickets, and planning tips
Which artists are on the must-see concert tours this year for R&B, rock, and pop fans?
For R&B, SZA’s arena run and New Edition’s Legacy tour are essentials. Rock fans gravitate to Muse’s high-production shows and classic pairings like Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top. Pop fans look to Taylor Swift’s record-setting stadium production and P!nk’s acrobatic Summer Carnival. You can browse current options and compare dates on the TicketSmarter concerts hub.
How do I find tickets for major arena and stadium tours?
Use TicketSmarter to search by artist, city, or venue, then filter by price and section. For artists like Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift, check Insider pages for schedule context and buying guidance. See Ed Sheeran tickets and our Eras Tour explainer, Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour.
What are smart strategies for presales and early access?
Join artist newsletters, venue mailing lists, and fan clubs. Register for Verified Fan programs as soon as they open and act within the typical 6 to 48 hour presale window. TicketSmarter listings are updated continuously, so keep checking for newly released seats and late drops.
How can I compare opening acts and lineups for big arena tours?
Openers can change by city. Check the artist’s official site, the venue page, and TicketSmarter listings for each date to see support acts. For example, SZA toured with Omar Apollo on S.O.S., and Muse’s 2023 North American leg featured Evanescence on select dates.
What should I know about co-headlining tours like Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top live?
Co-headline runs often share production and draw mixed-genre crowds, which can affect set times and merch lines. Plan to arrive early for parking and security. TicketSmarter makes it easy to compare sections and prices across multiple dates for these collaborative tours.
Where can I buy reliable concert tickets for major tours including Janet Jackson and Ludacris?
Shop directly on TicketSmarter. You can track availability for residencies and tour dates, compare prices across sections, and secure seats backed by our marketplace protections. Start from the TicketSmarter concerts hub.
What are a few buying tips to get better seats or prices?
Check multiple dates and cities when possible. Prices can fluctuate as inventory changes, and some premium seats release close to show time. Always review fees and protection options before checkout. TicketSmarter surfaces a wide range of listings so you can compare quickly.
How do ticket platforms handle listings for both legacy artists and contemporary chart-toppers?
On TicketSmarter, you can browse everything in one place, from legacy rock bands to current pop headliners. Many artists add legs or residencies after initial on-sales, so revisiting pages like Ed Sheeran tickets or the main concerts hub helps you catch new releases.
Updated date: December 12, 2025
Written by TicketSmarter Editorial Team
TicketSmarter’s Insider and Editorial teams cover national tours, venues, and live-event guides to help you plan great nights out. Our editors research artist schedules and venue details so you can find and buy tickets with confidence on TicketSmarter.
