Some of today’s biggest names in music will be rolling through New York State in 2025, covering all genres from classic rock to heavy metal, K-Pop and pop, to country, hip-hop, R&B, and everything in between. Billy Joel, Metallica, Sabrina Carpenter, Katy Perry, Mary J. Blige, and Blackpink, are just some of the artists you can see on tour in New York State this year at iconic venues from Madison Square Garden to the legendary Bethel Woods Center for the Arts — site of the original 1969 Woodstock.. 

Round out your concert adventure exploring New York State’s must-see sights, taking in the views from atop the Empire State Building in New York City, soaking in the natural beauty of the Adirondacks, tasting the finest wines in the Finger Lakes, and making a splash at Niagara Falls. Read on to get a taste of just the many shows you can catch in the Empire State this year and check out the I LOVE NY calendar to discover even more great events.

Avril Lavigne, The Greatest Hits Tour

Get ready for round two of Avril Lavigne’s popular Greatest Hits Tour, giving you even more chances to catch everyone’s favorite pop-punk princess in New York. The “Complicated” and “Sk8er Boi” singer will be making stops in Saratoga Springs, Syracuse, New York City, and Bethel. Joining her once again will be fellow pop-punkers Simple Plan, who are setting out on their own headlining tour in 2025 with a stop at Buffalo’s Outer Harbor.

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The Bacon Brothers

The Bacon Brothers, consisting of “Footloose” actor Kevin Bacon and Emmy-winning composer Michael Bacon, are bringing their signature blend of folk, rock, soul, and country to Finger Lakes wine country this summer before heading over to Clayton in September to take the stage at the historic Clayton Opera House for an intimate performance following a pair of sold-out shows there last summer. 

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Billy Idol, It’s a Nice Day To… Tour Again!

If you love rock n’ roll, you don’t want to miss this. ‘80s icon Billy Idol has declared “it’s a nice day to… tour again,” and the White Wedding songster is hitting the road with fellow rockers Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, with stops in Saratoga Springs and New York City.

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Billy Joel 

Music legends Billy Joel and Rod Stewart are teaming up for an unforgettable night of music in the Bronx as the two perform their most beloved hits at a one-night only concert event at Yankee Stadium on July 18. The show comes three days after Stewart takes the Broadview Stage at SPAC in Saratoga Springs on July 15 for his “One Last Time” North American Tour, featuring Hall of Fame rockers Cheap Trick. The Piano Man will also swing into Citi Field for a one-night-only co-headlining gig with Sting on August 21.

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Blackpink 2025 World Tour

After a slew of solo ventures, K-Pop sensation Blackpink is getting the band back together for their first headlining tour in two years. The Blackpink 2025 World Tour will be making only 10 stops, and you’ll have your chance to see them right here in Queens when they play two nights at Citi Field in July.

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Bright Eyes

Indie darlings Bright Eyes, led by Conor Oberst, along with special guest Cursive, will be bringing its massive North American tour to New York State with stops in Buffalo, Huntington, and Brooklyn. Get ready to sing your heart out to classics like “First Day of My Life,” “Lua,” and fresh tracks from their 10th studio album “Five Dice, All Threes.”

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Busta Rhymes, Cheap Trick & More at The Great New York State Fair

The Great New York State Fair is set to rock with an impressive lineup. “Surrender” to the electrifying energy of Cheap Trick as the Hall of Fame rockers kick off the festivities on the Chevy Court stage at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse on August 21, treating fans to classics like “Dream Police” and “I Want You to Want Me.” Hip-hop icon Busta Rhymes, Maddie & Tae, O.A.R., Sister Hazel, and Kidz Bop are among the 40 artists performing at this year’s fair, happening August 20-September 1. The best part: all concerts are free to fairgoers with fair admission, which is just $8.

When & Where:

• August 21, Cheap Trick at Chevy Court
• August 23, KIDZ BOP at Chevy Court
• August 23, Kameron Marlowe at Chevy Court
• August 23, O.A.R. at Suburban Park
• August 24, Busta Rhymes at Suburban Park
• August 26, Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone at Chevy Court
• August 26, Sister Hazel at Chevy Court
• August 28, Maddie & Tae at Chevy Court

Charli xcx, BRAT 2025 – ARENA TOUR

Are you ready for a brat spring in Brooklyn? Dance all night to club classics as Charli xcx, who just took home three Grammys, brings her BRAT 2025 – ARENA TOUR to Brooklyn’s Barclays Center for four nights of neon lights and fast beats starting April 30. Plan your trip with this itinerary for 48 Hours in Brooklyn.

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Creed, Return of The Summer of ‘99 Tour

Are you ready to rock out like it’s 1999? Creed is set to take you “Higher” as the band heads out with 3 Doors Down and Daughtry on the “Return of The Summer of ‘99 Tour,” reigniting the rock anthems that defined a generation. New York stops include Syracuse, home of the original Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, and Long Island‘s famed Jones Beach Theater.

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Cyndi Lauper, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour

After selling out Madison Square Garden last fall, Grammy, Emmy, and Tony-winning artist Cyndi Lauper will be back in New York as her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour wraps up its year-long run. Catch the True Colors singer as the tour makes stop in Darien Center, Wantagh, and Bethel.

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Read More: Spotlight: Long Island

Dave Matthews Band, 2025 Summer Tour

Recent Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Dave Matthews Band are kicking off their summer tour right here in New York with a performance at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel on May 24. They’ll make additional stops in Syracuse, Wantagh, and two nights in Saratoga Springs at the Broadview Stage at SPAC giving you plenty of chances to sing along to hits like “Ants Marching,” “Crash into Me,” and “Satellite.”

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Disturbed, The Sickness 25th Anniversary Tou​r

Come on get down with the sickness as heavy metal band Disturbed celebrates the 25th anniversary of their debut album with a tour that will stop at Madison Square Garden on March 21, where they’ll be joined by Three Days Grace and Sevendust, and Buffalo’s Keybank Center on April 4, with support from Daughtry and Nothing More.

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Dua Lipa, Radical Optimism Tour

Dua Lipa and her Radical Optimism Tour are set to take over the world’s most famous arena in the fall. Dance the night away to pop anthems like Levitating and Don’t Start Now as the Grammy winner takes the stage at Madison Square Garden in September. Round out your trip with our guide to Free and Low Cost Things to Do in NYC.

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Kane Brown, The High Road Tour

Known for his chart-topping hits like Heaven and What Ifs, country star Kane Brown is taking his new album The High Road on tour bringing his signature blend of country and R&B influences to Albany, Elmont, and Canandaigua. 

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Katy Perry, The Lifetimes Tour

After selling out shows around the world for her upcoming The Lifetimes Tour, global pop superstar Katy Perry will roar into Madison Square Garden on August 11. Known for smash hits like “Teenage Dream” and “Firework”, the former “American Idol” judge will perform her all her hits along with songs from her new album 143. While in town, check out these Secrets of New York City.

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Linkin Park, From Zero World Tour

Linkin Park is “One Step Closer” to heading out on their epic From Zero World Tour that will take them across North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia. They’ll return to Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on July 29, where they performed to a sold-out audience last September. Extend your concert getaway with this guide to 48 Hours in Brooklyn.

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Lumineers, Automatic World Tour

Ho hey! Folk rock favorites the Lumineers are heading out on a massive tour in support of their new album Automatic, making stops at the Broadview Stage at SPAC in Saratoga Springs on July 3, Citi Field on July 11 with special guests Young the Giant and Hippo Campus, and the Darien Lake Amphitheater on September 3.

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Maroon 5

Bring your “Moves Like Jagger” to Endicott as Grammy-winning pop-rock band Maroon 5 headlines the 2025 Dick’s Open concert on July 11. Known for chart-toppers like “Sugar” and “She Will Be Loved,” Maroon 5 will take the stage on the 18th hole of the En-Joie Golf Course following the first round of the PGA Tour Champions golf tournament. It’s the band’s only performance in New York in 2025.

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Mary J. Blige, For My Fans Tour

If you’re searching for real love you’ll find it when Mary J. Blige brings her “The For My Fans Tour” to Buffalo’s KeyBank Center on March 22, New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden on April 10, and Long Island’s UBS Arena on April 11. Coming on the heels of her latest album “Gratitude,” the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul” will be joined by special guests NE-YO and Mario. 

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Metallica, M72 World Tou​r

Headbangers unite! Metallica are set to “Ride the Lightning” straight into New York State as they bring their M72 World Tour to Syracuse’s JMA Wireless Dome on April 19, with special guests Pantera and Suicidal Tendencies. Don’t miss your only chance to see the heavy metal titans on their sole stop in New York on this highly-anticipated tour. Check out this Spotlight on Syracuse to see what else you can do while you’re in town.

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Nelly, Where The Party At Tour

If you want to know where the party at, it’s right here in New York! Nelly is teaming up with Ja Rule, Eve and special guests for the ultimate 2000s hip hop throwback tour with stops at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater on Long Island on July 27 and the Darien Lake Amphitheater on August 1.

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Nine Inch Nails, Peel It Back Tour 

Industrial rockers and Hall of Famers Nine Inch Nails are heading out on the road for their first tour in three years. The Peel It Back Tour will settle in Brooklyn for two nights at the Barclays Center on September 2 and September 3.

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Post Malone, Post Malone Presents: The BIG A** Stadium Tour

Syracuse native Post Malone is heading out on a national stadium tour with country singer/rapper Jelly Roll that will make 25 stops, including one in Queens. Catch Posty in his country era as the “Rockstar” and “Circles” hitmaker, who is headlining this year’s Coachella, lights up Citi Field in Flushing on June 4 with a mix of his biggest hits, fan favorites, and brand new songs from his sixth studio album, F-1 Trillion. Plan your trip with our guide to 48 Hours in Queens.

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Sabrina Carpenter, Short n’ Sweet Tour

If you missed Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet tour on the first go-around last fall then you’re in luck. The pop sensation, known for hits like “Espresso” and “Please Please Please,” is bringing the tour back to New York City for five nights in Madison Square Garden in the fall of 2025, including Halloween night!

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Shania Twain

Let’s go, girls! Shania Twain is ready to giddy up over to the Darien Lake Amphitheater in Darien Center on July 19 and the Broadview Stage at SPAC in Saratoga Springs on July 20. The country pop icon will be sure to impress you much as she “Rocks This Country” with hits like “You’re Still the One,” “Any Man of Mine,” and more.

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Smokey Robinson, Legacy Tour

Motown legend Smokey Robinson is bringing his soulful “Legacy Tour,” celebrating the 50th anniversary of his album “Quiet Storm,” to The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester on May 31. You’re invited to take a trip down memory lane with the King of Motown as he belts out the hits from “The Tears of a Clown” to “Being With You” and shares new music.

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Tate McRae, Miss Possessive Tour

Tate McRae has had a busy year. First she released her third studio album “So Close to What,” the she performed on SNL and next she’s heading out on her global Miss Possessive Tour,” that includes three stops at Madison Square Garden. Plan your trip with our New York City Guide.

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Teddy Swims, I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Tour

Get ready to lose control as Teddy Swims brings his soulful sounds to Radio City Music Hall on May 27–May 28 as part of his latest world tour following the release of part two of his debut album, I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy.

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Thomas Rhett, Better In Boots Tour

Country music sensation Thomas Rhett and his “Better in Boots Tour” are coming to some of New York’s coolest outdoor concert venues this summer. Catch him on the Broadview Stage at SPAC in Saratoga Springs on June 12 or sing along seaside at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater on Long Island on July 12. The tour also makes stops at the Darien Lake Amphitheater on August 7 and Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview on the shores of Onondaga Lake in Syracuse on August 21. 

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Tyler, the Creator, CHROMAKOPIA: THE WORLD TOUR

Rapper Tyler, the Creator is embarking on a world tour with Lil Yachty and Paris Texas in support of his latest album, Chromakopia. In addition to headlining Gov Ball’s Friday night lineup in June, he’ll be performing at Madison Square Garden and Brooklyn’s Barclays Center in July.

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“Weird Al” Yankovic, BIGGER & WEIRDER 2025 Tour

The king of musical parodies, “Weird Al” Yankovic, brings his “Bigger & Weirder Tour” to New York in 2025. He’ll make his way across the state in July first stopping in Darien Center before heading over to Manhattan, Bethel, and Saratoga Springs, delivering classic parodies like Amish Paradise and Eat It, along with his signature blend of quirky humor and musical talents.

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