The evolution of Cry Baby, Melanie Martinez’s alter ego, is one that fans of this rising dark alternative pop artist have followed since the beginning of her career. In 2023, Martinez released her newest album, Portals, and embarked on her fourth concert tour with a surreal new look. The multi-platinum star then announced in mid-November that her new concert venture, The Trilogy Tour, would be kicking off in 2024. The new tour will showcase the evolution of Cry Baby and feature hits from all three of her groundbreaking albums. Learn more about this singer’s evolution and how to see Melanie Martinez live in concert.
For tickets and seating options across all dates, compare listings and pricing on Melanie Martinez tickets at TicketSmarter.
Who is Melanie Martinez?
You may recognize this platinum-certified pop artist from her 2012 appearance on the third season of The Voice. Melanie Martinez was eliminated by audience vote on week five but left quite an impression on the judges and viewers. Her covers of the songs “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes and “Too Close” by Alex Clare reached the Top 10 on iTunes. The following year, Martinez worked on crafting original songs and released her debut single “Dollhouse” in 2014. Her debut album, Cry Baby, was released in August 2015 and made it to No. 6 on the Billboard 200.
This work would introduce Melanie Martinez’s persona, Cry Baby, whose storyline is continued in her subsequent albums K-12 and Portals. In Cry Baby, the altar ego navigates a twisted, modern fairy tale with pastel and nostalgic elements of childhood crossed with dark and eerie tones accompanied by broken toys and tears. In Martinez’s K-12 film, Cry Baby has returned with her friend Angelita to dismantle the oppressive K-12 schooling system, which reflects a condensed version of real life. Cry Baby and Angelita fight against themes within the album and the film like bullying and self-doubt. The music also critiques traditional gender roles and willful ignorance on subjects like bodily autonomy and objectification of girls and women. Songs like “Strawberry Shortcake” and “Teacher’s Pet” mirror Martinez’s desire for revenge against these ideals.
Fans and critics alike have praised Martinez’s talent of incorporating feelings of vulnerability and self-doubt while growing up and handling adult life within child-like metaphors. Rolling Stone has described her songs as “twisted lullabies about love, danger and madness.” The New York Times draws comparisons to artists like Lana Del Rey, with similar wistfulness and attraction to nostalgia and tragedy. Martinez has been nominated for several awards including a 2020 Billboard Music Award for Top Soundtrack for her album, K-12. The following year, she made it onto Forbes 30 Under 30 List.
Explore more artist stories and tour roundups on TicketSmarter Insider’s Concerts section.
Portals and the Revival of Cry Baby
The year 2023 was a big one for Melanie Martinez fans, as it would mark the release of her first album in four years. The pop artist teased fans with images and short clips on Instagram of surreal foggy forests and incubating eggs. She would release the lead single “Death” in mid-March, before the release of Portals at the end of the month.
𝖉𝖊𝖆𝖙𝖍 𝖒𝖚𝖘𝖎𝖈 𝖛𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖔 𝖔𝖚𝖙 𝖓𝖔𝖜 🌬🤍https://t.co/KZYBrmAlCe pic.twitter.com/URjbAmgjUE
— Cry Baby (@MelanieLBBH) March 24, 2023
The album made No. 2 on Billboard 200 and No. 1 on Billboard’s US Top Alternative Albums for 2023. While experimenting with an art-pop style, Martinez’s newest creative focuses on the circle of life and death as a natural part of the cycle. In a clip on social media, her Cry Baby alternate is seen hatching from an egg and emerging as a pink, four-eyed alien with flawless lashes. The character’s transformation picks up where the K-12 film left out, with Cry Baby standing before an illuminated portal to a new world.
In Portals, Melanie Martinez shows her growth as an artist by incorporating her own struggles and the brief death of her career before it surged back to life with her new release. In this cycle, Cry Baby has reached adulthood, following her childhood and teen years. The progression of life and death is dually reflected in the album’s listing, with “Death” as the first track and “Womb,” referencing rebirth, as the final track. Martinez’s dedication to her fanbase can be seen through the careful crafting of this album.
What changes in the live show during the Portals era
The Trilogy Tour places Cry Baby’s evolution front and center with a multi-act, concept-driven production. Fans can expect:
- A setlist arc that threads Cry Baby, K-12, and Portals, often balancing early favorites with the cinematic singles from the latest era.
- Elaborate stage design that emphasizes full-stage visuals, creature-costume work, and thematic lighting that supports the life and rebirth motifs.
- Heightened art-pop choreography and theatrical transitions between acts, which reward seats with clear sight lines to the entire stage.
Compare show dates, seating maps, and prices for all stops on Melanie Martinez tickets. You can also browse a broader set of listings on Melanie concert tickets.
The Trilogy Tour Dates
- May. 10 Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
- May. 12 Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena
- May. 14 Palm Desert, CA – Acrisure Arena at Greater Palm Springs
- May. 15 Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum
- May. 17 Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena
- May. 18 Salt Lake City, UT – Delta Center
- May. 21 Denver, CO – Ball Arena
- May. 23 Houston, TX – Toyota Center
- May. 24 Austin, TX – Moody Center
- May. 25 Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
- May. 28 Duluth, GA – Gas South Arena
- May. 29 Orlando, FL – Amway Center
- May. 31 Raleigh, NC – PNC Arena
- Jun. 1 Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena
- Jun. 3 Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
- Jun. 5 New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
- Jun. 7 Boston, MA – TD Garden
- Jun. 9 Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
- Jun. 11 Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
- Jun. 13 Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena
- Jun. 14 Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
Heading to the New York date and need seating details or a venue guide. Review maps and upcoming events on Madison Square Garden.
How to choose the best seats for a theatrical pop show
A concept-forward concert like The Trilogy Tour rewards smart seat selection. Before you buy through TicketSmarter, consider:
- What matters most. Proximity to the artist, panoramic views of the full stage, or optimum sound.
- Sight lines. Mezzanine or dress circle can capture the entire set design. Center floor or orchestra rows put you in the action.
- Balanced picks. Center floor or mid-balcony often provide a strong blend of view and sound.
- Seat previews. Use interactive seat maps and any available See Your View tools to confirm potential obstructions.
For more pre-show planning tips, read the Insider guide on what to bring to a concert.
When to buy and how to compare prices
- Presales. Official presales help you avoid the initial scramble and reduce price volatility.
- Timing. If you miss presales, track listings over time. Production releases can unlock new inventory closer to show day.
- Demand. Prices vary based on market demand, seat location, and city. Major arena dates and limited VIP packages typically price higher.
- Comparison. Review multiple sections and rows on TicketSmarter to understand price ranges for comparable views.
Buying safely and evaluating resale tickets
TicketSmarter connects fans with trusted ticket access and mobile delivery options. When shopping for high-demand dates:
- Start from reliable sources. Use the artist, venue, and TicketSmarter event pages for legitimate listings.
- Prefer secure, mobile transfers. Avoid screenshots or PDFs since those can be duplicated.
- Check details. Verify section, row, and seat numbers against the venue’s official seating chart.
- Watch for red flags. Extremely low prices, requests to pay off-platform, or sellers with limited history are common scam signals.
Event-day logistics and accessibility
- Bag and entry policies. Check venue rules ahead of time. Some arenas only accept mobile barcodes from the ticketing app.
- Accessibility. Confirm seating, service animal policies, and other accommodations with the venue in advance. Venues are required to follow ADA standards for accessible seating and comparable lines of sight, so confirm accessible seating and companion-seat policies with the venue to ensure compliance and suitable viewing angles (Guidance on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design).
- GA strategy. For general-admission pits or floors, arrive early to secure your preferred position.
- Hearing health. High-fidelity earplugs can protect your hearing and improve clarity during louder moments; the CDC recommends using proper hearing protection, taking breaks from loud noise, and leaving very noisy areas early because loud, prolonged concert exposure can cause permanent noise-induced hearing loss (Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss | CDC).
Travel tips for out-of-town shows
- Book early. Secure lodging near the arena to simplify transit and merchandise pick-up schedules.
- Transit plans. Map rideshares, parking, or public transit to your gate or entry well before doors open.
- Weather check. Indoor arenas still require outdoor queuing; bring layers and compact rain protection.
Buy Melanie Martinez Tickets
Experience The Trilogy Tour live and buy your Melanie Martinez tickets with TicketSmarter. Discover exclusive travel deals with HotelPlanner if you plan to travel out of town to attend a show. Check out thousands of concert tickets to see other artists coming to a city near you.
Or browse and compare all upcoming dates and seating options directly on Melanie Martinez tickets. To keep exploring shows by genre and city, start from the TicketSmarter marketplace.
FAQs: Melanie Martinez The Trilogy Tour
How can I find tickets and seating options for The Trilogy Tour featuring Cry Baby’s evolved stage production
Use TicketSmarter’s interactive maps on Melanie Martinez tickets to compare floor, lower bowl, and balcony views. For a panoramic look at the set design, consider mezzanine or mid-bowl sections. TicketSmarter lists multiple delivery types and pricing tiers so you can filter for your budget and preferred view.
What should I look for when buying Melanie Martinez concert tickets for a multi-act art-pop show
Focus on sight lines and overall stage visibility. The Trilogy Tour’s theatrical design favors seats that see the entire stage. TicketSmarter’s listings include section and row details so you can balance proximity with a full-stage perspective.
How does the Portals era change Cry Baby’s live performance visuals and setlist compared to K-12
Portals explores the life and rebirth cycle with an otherworldly visual palette. Expect a setlist that weaves Cry Baby and K-12 favorites with Portals singles, plus elaborate costuming and thematic lighting that reward seats with unobstructed, full-stage views.
Where can I compare venue experiences and ticket information for Melanie Martinez tour dates
Review each date on Melanie Martinez tickets and consult venue pages for seating info. Example: the New York stop at Madison Square Garden offers venue maps, upcoming events, and more TicketSmarter inventory.
What are common fan concerns about VIP packages and resale tickets for a theatrical pop concert
Fans often ask about seat locations included in VIP bundles and delivery timelines. On resale, authenticity and transfer method are key. TicketSmarter helps by detailing delivery types, showing comparable sections, and supporting secure, mobile entry when available.
How to evaluate resale ticket prices and authenticity for high-demand alternative pop tours
Compare multiple listings in the same section and nearby rows on TicketSmarter to understand a fair range. Be cautious of unusually low prices and avoid off-platform payment requests. Prefer verified mobile transfers and confirm seat numbers with the venue map.
When should I buy tickets to get the best seats for a concept-driven tour featuring elaborate stage design
Buy during official presales when possible, then monitor inventory as production holds sometimes release closer to show day. For the best balance of choice and price, many fans purchase once initial presale waves settle and new sections appear on TicketSmarter.
What safety and accessibility information should I check before buying tickets to a large arena Melanie Martinez concert
Check the arena’s mobile entry policy, bag rules, accessibility seating options, and service animal policies. TicketSmarter event pages link to venue details, and listings indicate seating locations so you can choose accessible options as needed.
How to plan travel and lodging when attending an out-of-town Trilogy Tour stop
Book lodging near the arena, confirm transit or parking, and build in time for early arrival if you prefer GA floor positioning. TicketSmarter’s event pages pair well with hotel planning tools so you can coordinate timing around doors and set times.
Author: TicketSmarter Editorial Team
Updated: December 17, 2025
