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Concert Photos, Features, News

Photos: Sips & Sounds 2026 Day 2, Foster the People, Flipturn and Calvin Harris Lead the Finale

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After an unforgettable opening night featuring Christina Aguilera, Day 2 of the Sips & Sounds Music Festival brought another stacked lineup to Auditorium Shores on Saturday, March 14, wrapping up the two-day event in style. Timed alongside the annual SXSW festivities across Austin, the festival once again drew thousands of fans to the waterfront park for a day packed with indie rock, rising pop stars, and one of the biggest names in electronic music.

With two stages, the Coca-Cola Stage and the SXSW Stage, the second day of the festival offered a steady flow of performances from early afternoon through late night, giving fans plenty of reasons to bounce between stages and soak in the festival atmosphere.

Mallrat Opens the Coca-Cola Stage

Australian pop artist Mallrat kicked off the afternoon on the Coca-Cola Stage, launching the day’s performances on the festival’s main stage. Her dreamy blend of indie pop and electronic elements made for a perfect early-day soundtrack as fans trickled into the park and spread out across the lawn. With Austin’s skyline rising behind the stage, Mallrat’s laid-back yet catchy set helped ease the crowd into the final day of the festival.

Jade LeMac Brings Rising Star Energy

Over on the SXSW Stage, Canadian singer-songwriter Jade LeMac delivered a set that showed why she’s quickly becoming one of pop’s most exciting young voices. With a powerful vocal presence and emotionally driven songs, LeMac connected easily with the audience.

Fans will have more chances to catch her soon, she’s slated to hit the road this summer as a supporting act on Hilary Duff’s upcoming tour, making her Sips & Sounds appearance feel like an early glimpse at a rapidly rising artist.

Stephen Sanchez Channels Vintage Pop Charm

Back on the Coca-Cola Stage, Stephen Sanchez transported the crowd with his retro-inspired sound and crooning vocal style. His set blended nostalgic influences with modern pop songwriting, creating a performance that felt both classic and fresh. Sanchez’s smooth delivery and charismatic stage presence turned the mid-afternoon slot into one of the day’s standout performances.

The Runarounds Keep the Momentum Going

The SXSW Stage then welcomed The Runarounds, who kept the festival energy rolling with an upbeat performance packed with indie-rock hooks and energetic guitar work. By this point in the afternoon, the crowd had grown considerably, and the band’s lively set helped push the festival atmosphere into full swing.

Foster The People Reflect on Their SXSW Roots

One of the day’s most memorable sets came from Foster the People, who returned to Austin with a performance that felt both celebratory and reflective. During the set, frontman Mark Foster told the crowd about playing one of the band’s very first shows at SXSW years ago for a crowd of just seven people.

The moment served as a reminder of how far the band has come, and a message about staying grounded even as success grows. With fans singing along to their signature indie-pop anthems, the performance felt like a full-circle SXSW moment.

Flipturn Closes the SXSW Stage

As evening approached, Flipturn took the stage to close out the SXSW Stage lineup for the weekend. The indie-rock group delivered a soaring, emotionally charged performance that drew one of the largest crowds the stage had seen all day. Their expansive sound and passionate delivery made for the perfect lead-in to the festival’s final headliner.

Calvin Harris Turns the Festival into a Massive Dance Party

To close out the festival, global EDM superstar Calvin Harris headlined the Coca-Cola Stage, delivering a massive set that transformed Auditorium Shores into a full-scale dance party.

As darkness fell over the Austin skyline, Harris unleashed a high-energy mix of chart-topping hits, club anthems, and festival favorites. Massive drops, pulsing lights, and thousands of fans dancing along created a fitting finale to the weekend.

The performance served as a high-octane ending to two days of music, bringing the 2026 edition of Sips & Sounds to an electrifying close.

A Perfect SXSW Weekend Finale

Across two days, Sips & Sounds once again proved why it has become one of Austin’s most exciting spring festivals. With a lineup that blended major global acts, beloved indie bands, and emerging artists, the event captured the creative energy that makes SXSW week in Austin so special.

And judging by the crowds and the performances, the festival’s 2026 edition left fans already looking forward to next year.

Photo Gallery

Scroll down to check out our full gallery of photos from Day 2 of the 2026 Sips & Sounds Music Festival at Auditorium Shores in Austin.

Concert Photos, Features, News

Photos: Sips & Sounds 2026, A Star-Studded First Night at Austin’s Waterfront Festival

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Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration

Austin’s spring festival season kicked off in style Friday night as the Sips & Sounds Music Festival returned to Auditorium Shores for the first of two days of music along the scenic banks of Lady Bird Lake. Timed to coincide with the buzz of SXSW, the two-day event brings major headliners and rising artists to one of the city’s most scenic outdoor spots, offering festivalgoers skyline views, local food and drinks, and back-to-back performances across two stages.

With a lineup spanning indie rock, R&B, electronic music, and pop royalty, Day 1 (Friday, March 13) delivered a packed schedule that kept fans bouncing between the SXSW Stage and the Coca-Cola Stage all afternoon and evening.

Skateland Opens the Festival

Local Austin energy set the tone early as Skateland kicked off the festival on the SXSW Stage. The opening set felt like a perfect warm-up for the weekend, with early arrivals gathering on the lawn as the afternoon sun hung over the downtown skyline. With a laid-back but lively sound, the band provided the kind of local kickoff that Austin festivals are known for.

Aidan Bissett Gets the Crowd Moving

Next up on the main Coca-Cola Stage, rising pop artist Aidan Bissett delivered one of the day’s first big crowd-drawing sets. Bissett’s upbeat songs and charismatic stage presence connected instantly with the early crowd, with fans singing along and filling in the open spaces near the barricade. His set injected a youthful pop energy into the festival lineup and proved why he’s quickly becoming a festival favorite.

The Two Lips Bring Indie Charm

Back on the SXSW Stage, The Two Lips leaned into a breezy indie vibe that perfectly matched the outdoor setting. Their performance felt like the soundtrack to a perfect Austin afternoon, jangly guitars, catchy melodies, and a steadily growing crowd settling in on the grass as the day transitioned toward evening.

Ravyn Lenae Delivers Soulful Highlights

As the sun dipped lower, Ravyn Lenae took over the Coca-Cola Stage with a captivating R&B performance. Her smooth vocals and atmospheric sound gave the festival its most soulful moment of the day. Lenae’s set created a hypnotic mood across the park, with fans swaying along as the skyline lit up behind the stage.

Between Friends Keeps the Momentum Going

Electronic-pop duo Between Friends followed on the SXSW Stage with a genre-blending set that kept the energy high. Their mix of dreamy pop hooks and electronic textures made for one of the most danceable moments of the early evening, with the crowd clearly enjoying the shift toward a more upbeat vibe.

Major Lazer Soundsystem Turns the Festival into a Dance Party

Nightfall brought one of the most electrifying performances of the day as Major Lazer Soundsystem took over the Coca-Cola Stage. Known for their high-energy electronic sets, Diplo and company transformed Auditorium Shores into a full-on dance party. Pulsing beats, massive drops, and crowd-hype moments had thousands of fans jumping in unison as the festival reached peak energy.

Grouplove Ignites the SXSW Stage

Meanwhile, indie-rock favorites Grouplove headlined the SXSW Stage with a joyous, sing-along-heavy performance. Their feel-good anthems and colorful stage presence made their set one of the most uplifting moments of the night, with fans shouting lyrics back toward the stage as the band delivered hit after hit.

Christina Aguilera Closes Night One in Iconic Fashion

Finally, pop icon Christina Aguilera closed out the first night of the festival on the Coca-Cola Stage. Aguilera’s powerhouse vocals and decades-spanning catalog made for a headlining performance that reminded everyone why she remains one of pop’s most celebrated voices.

Her setlist leaned heavily into fan favorites and career-defining hits, including songs like “Dirrty,” “Genie in a Bottle,” “Ain’t No Other Man,” and “Beautiful,” all delivered with the kind of vocal intensity that has defined her career. The performance provided a dramatic and nostalgic finale to a night already packed with memorable moments.

With the Austin skyline glowing behind the stage and thousands of fans singing along, Aguilera’s set was the perfect way to cap off an eventful opening night.

A Strong Start for Sips & Sounds 2026

Day one proved that Sips & Sounds has quickly become a major highlight of Austin’s spring music calendar. The festival blends major headliners with emerging talent across two stages, creating a dynamic experience that feels both massive and intimate at the same time.

And with Day 2 still ahead, featuring another slate of big performances, the weekend at Auditorium Shores is only just getting started.

Photo Gallery

Scroll down to check out our full gallery of photos from Day 1 of the 2026 Sips & Sounds Music Festival at Auditorium Shores in Austin.

  • Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration
Concert Photos, Features, News

Photos: Jesse Welles Brings His Under The Powerlines Tour to The Sylvee in Madison

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Photo by Deanna Glatczak

Madison fans gathered at The Sylvee on Wednesday, March 11, for an intimate and powerful evening with rising folk songwriter Jesse Welles, who brought his Under The Powerlines 2026 tour to the downtown venue. The show was part of a national run of dates highlighting Welles’ raw songwriting and politically charged folk music.

The night began with a stripped-down approach as Welles took the stage alone with an acoustic guitar, performing the first six songs solo. “Sometimes You Bomb Iran,” “The Great Caucasian God,” and “Join Ice” set a poignant and reflective tone early in the set, showcasing the kind of sharp storytelling and protest-leaning folk that has helped Welles build a rapidly growing audience online and on tour. His music often echoes the spirit of classic folk revival artists, using simple arrangements and pointed lyrics to tackle social and political themes.

After the acoustic opening stretch, the show expanded sonically as Welles was joined onstage by a full electric band, shifting the concert into a fuller, more dynamic performance. The added instrumentation brought new energy to the songs while still keeping the focus on Welles’ thoughtful lyrics and distinctive vocal delivery.

From the attentive crowd on the packed floor to fans watching from The Sylvee’s balcony, the Madison stop highlighted why Welles has become one of the most talked-about emerging voices in modern folk music.

Below, check out our photos from the show at The Sylvee.

Photos by Deanna Glatczak.

  • Photo by Deanna Glatczak
Concert Photos, Features, News

Photos: The Floozies Bring the Funk to The Sylvee in Madison

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Madison music fans packed into The Sylvee on Saturday, March 7, for a high-energy night of funk, electronic grooves, and brass-driven chaos as The Floozies brought their Too Many Flooz Tour to town. The evening featured a stacked lineup with Too Many Zooz and Bray Radbury, delivering a genre-bending mix of sounds that kept the crowd moving from the moment the doors opened.

The Floozies, the electro-funk duo made up of brothers Matt and Mark Hill, have built a reputation for turning concerts into full-blown dance parties. Blending live instrumentation with electronic production, the group’s funky guitar riffs, punchy drums, and bass-heavy beats transformed The Sylvee into a pulsing dance floor. Their energetic style has helped them carve out a unique niche in the live electronic scene, where improvisation and musicianship collide with EDM-inspired production.

Saturday’s Madison stop was part of a wider tour pairing The Floozies with the wildly entertaining brass trio Too Many Zooz. Known for their explosive “Brass House” sound, a fusion of jazz, EDM, and punk influences, the trio brought a theatrical intensity to the stage, complete with high-octane saxophone lines and crowd-hype moments that complemented the funky electronic vibe of the night.

From the packed general-admission floor to the balcony overlooking the stage, fans at the downtown Madison venue soaked in the electric atmosphere. Between dazzling stage lighting, thumping basslines, and an enthusiastic crowd, the concert showcased why The Floozies continue to be a must-see act on the touring circuit.

Below, check out our photos from the show at The Sylvee.

Photos by Dan DeSlover.

News

Spotify Is Celebrating Its 20th Anniversary at SXSW With a Star-Studded Showcase

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Two decades after changing the way the world listens to music, Spotify is kicking off its 20th anniversary celebration at one of the music industry’s most iconic events: SXSW in Austin, Texas.

The streaming giant announced this week that it will mark the milestone with “Spotify 20: Live at Stubb’s,” an official SXSW concert scheduled for March 14 at Stubb’s Amphitheater. The showcase will feature a lineup designed to celebrate the past, present, and future of music, pairing legendary artists with rising voices shaping the next generation of sound.

A lineup spanning decades of music

Leading the celebration is Alanis Morissette, the seven-time Grammy winner whose groundbreaking 1995 album Jagged Little Pill helped define alternative rock in the ’90s. Songs like “Ironic,” which has amassed hundreds of millions of streams on Spotify, continue to connect with listeners across generations.

She’ll be joined by country star Ella Langley, one of the genre’s fastest-rising artists, while St. Vincent (Annie Clark) is slated to perform a special DJ set. The combination of artists reflects the theme of the event: honoring the music that shaped the last 20 years while spotlighting the sounds that will define the next era.

The concert will be open to SXSW Platinum and Music badge holders, making it one of the festival’s marquee industry events.

Why SXSW matters to Spotify

SXSW has long been part of Spotify’s story. The company’s co-founder Daniel Ek first introduced the platform to many industry insiders during a keynote at the festival in 2010, more than a year before Spotify officially launched in the United States.

Since then, SXSW has remained a hub for the intersection of music, technology, and culture, making it a fitting place for Spotify to celebrate two decades of innovation in music discovery and streaming.

Conversations and creator programming

Spotify’s presence at SXSW will go beyond just the concert.

The company is also hosting several conversations featuring major artists and executives, including a discussion between Spotify Chief Public Affairs Officer Dustee Jenkins and pop star Nick Jonas about longevity and creativity in the music industry.

Additionally, Spotify co-CEO Gustav Söderström will participate in a panel with country superstar Lainey Wilson and podcast host David Friedberg, exploring the evolving relationship between artists, technology, and audiences.

Supporting artists behind the scenes

Spotify will also offer something a little quieter during the chaos of SXSW: a “Heart & Soul” wellness space in the SXSW Artist Lounge created with nonprofit Backline. The space will provide a place for artists and managers to decompress and access mental health resources during the busy festival week.

A milestone moment for streaming

Founded in 2006, Spotify originally launched with a mission to combat music piracy by creating a legal and accessible way for fans to discover and stream music. Today, it’s one of the world’s largest music platforms and a central part of how artists connect with listeners around the globe.

And fittingly, its 20th birthday celebration is happening in a place built for discovery.

If SXSW has always been about finding the next big thing, Spotify’s anniversary showcase is a reminder of how far the music industry, and the way we experience it, has come over the last two decades.

News

Governors Ball Unveils Genre-Spanning 2026 Lineup Led by Lorde, Stray Kids, A$AP Rocky & Jennie

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A$AP Rocky performs at Lollapalooza 2025 in Chicago, IL (Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration).

The Governors Ball Music Festival has officially revealed its 2026 lineup, and once again, New York City’s biggest summer festival is delivering a bold, genre-blurring bill. Returning to Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens on June 5–7, 2026, Gov Ball’s three-day event brings together pop superstars, global acts, indie favorites, and hip-hop heavyweights for one of the most eclectic festival lineups of the year.

Friday: Lorde & Baby Keem Kick Things Off

Friday’s lineup is topped by Lorde and Baby Keem, setting the tone for a day that balances introspective pop with cutting-edge hip-hop. The day also features a strong mix of alternative and rock acts including Pierce the Veil, Turnover, The Beths, and Arcy Drive.

Pop-leaning and experimental names like Katseye, Mariah the Scientist, Audrey Hobert, and Confidence Man round out a packed opening day.

Saturday: Stray Kids & Kali Uchis Lead a Global-Forward Day

Saturday leans heavily into global pop and alternative energy, with K-pop powerhouse Stray Kids and genre-defying star Kali Uchis headlining the day.

The undercard is stacked with indie and alternative favorites, including Blood Orange, Wet Leg, Thee Sacred Souls, Japanese Breakfast, and Ravyn Lenae.

Acts like Amy and the Sniffers, Jane Remover, Snow Strippers, and Flowerovlove ensure Saturday stays unpredictable from start to finish.

Sunday: A$AP Rocky & Jennie Close Out the Weekend

Sunday’s headliners bring massive star power, with Harlem native A$AP Rocky and BLACKPINK’s Jennie closing out the festival.

Hip-hop fans will have plenty to celebrate with performances from Freddie Gibbs (alongside producer The Alchemist), Clipse, Dominic Fike, and Hot Mulligan.

Indie and rising-artist highlights include Geese, Holly Humberstone, Rachel Chinouriri, and Hemlocke Springs, making Sunday one of the most diverse days on the schedule.

Tickets & What’s Next

Presale tickets for Governors Ball 2026 are available now via the festival’s official website, with additional details, such as daily schedules, stage breakdowns, and aftershows, expected in the coming months.

With a lineup that blends global pop, hip-hop legends, indie staples, and emerging artists, Gov Ball 2026 once again proves why it remains one of the most forward-thinking festivals in North America. June can’t come soon enough.

News

Sips & Sounds Music Festival Reveals 2026 Lineup: Christina Aguilera, Calvin Harris and More

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Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration

Get ready Austin! Sips & Sounds Music Festival has officially announced its highly anticipated 2026 lineup, with the two-day event scheduled for March 13–14, 2026.

As part of Austin’s SXSW (although a separate ticketed event), Sips & Sounds once again offers a more traditional festival experience to complement the showcases and pop-up performances that define SXSW.

Blessing the state at this years Sips & Sounds, will be some major headliners like Christina Aguilera, Calvin Harris, Major Lazer and Foster the People. Also performing at the festival are names like Ravyn Lenae, Grouplove, Stephen Sanchez, Flipturn, The Runarounds, Jade Lemac, Between Friends and many more.

For years, Sips & Sounds has carved out a unique lane by blending big-name live and rising performances with curated experiences, food vendors, and an easygoing outdoor festival atmosphere with a beautiful view of the Austin skyline. While SXSW is known for intimate venues and discovery-focused showcases, Sips & Sounds delivers a full-scale festival environment, making it an ideal anchor event for fans who want both worlds in one trip.

Planning a SXSW + Sips & Sounds Weekend

Travel planning is key. Hotels and accommodations in Austin tend to fill up quickly during March, especially during festival season. Fans looking to lock in lodging early can find official hotel options and travel packages through Crewfare here.

Whether you’re traveling to Austin specifically for Sips & Sounds or adding it onto your SXSW itinerary, March 13–14, 2026 is shaping up to be a can’t-miss weekend for live music fans.

With the dates now locked in and the lineup announcement still ahead, Sips & Sounds 2026 is officially on the clock and Austin’s spring festival season just got even more exciting.

Check out some of our coverage from last year’s Sips & Sounds here and peep the full 2026 lineup below!

News

Sips & Sounds Music Festival Sets Its Return for March 13–14, 2026

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Benson Boone performing at Sips & Sounds 2025 in Austin, TX (Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration).

Austin’s festival season just got a little louder and tastier. Sips & Sounds Music Festival has officially announced that it will return in 2026, with the two-day event scheduled for March 13–14, 2026.

As the biggest music draw for Austin’s SXSW (although a separate ticketed event), Sips & Sounds once again offers a more traditional festival experience to complement the city-wide showcases and pop-up performances that define SXSW week.

Since its debut, Sips & Sounds has carved out a unique lane by blending big-name live performances with curated beverage experiences, food vendors, and an easygoing outdoor festival atmosphere. While SXSW is known for intimate venues and discovery-focused showcases, Sips & Sounds delivers a full-scale festival environment, making it an ideal anchor event for fans who want both worlds in one trip.

Lineup Still to Come

The 2026 artist lineup has not yet been announced, but past editions of Sips & Sounds have featured a mix of major pop, indie, and alternative artists alongside emerging talent, a formula that fits perfectly with SXSW’s music-first energy. Festival organizers are encouraging fans to sign up for updates now to be among the first to receive lineup announcements, ticket details, and festival news.

Fans can sign up for email updates and announcements here.

Planning a SXSW + Sips & Sounds Weekend

Travel planning is key. Hotels and accommodations in Austin tend to fill up quickly during March, especially during festival season. Fans looking to lock in lodging early can find official hotel options and travel packages through Crewfare here.

Whether you’re traveling to Austin specifically for Sips & Sounds or adding it onto your SXSW itinerary, March 13–14, 2026 is shaping up to be a can’t-miss weekend for live music fans.

With the dates now locked in and the lineup announcement still ahead, Sips & Sounds 2026 is officially on the clock and Austin’s spring festival season just got even more exciting.

Check out some of our coverage from last year’s Sips & Sounds here.

New Music, News

Nick Jonas Kicks Off 2026 With Vulnerable New Single “Gut Punch”

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Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration

Nick Jonas is kicking off 2026 with a gut check, literally. The singer, songwriter, actor, and producer has released his brand-new single “Gut Punch,” officially ushering in a new solo era and offering the first taste of his upcoming album, Sunday Best, due out February 6 via Republic Records.

“Gut Punch” opens in a stripped-back, introspective space, built around sparse piano and lyrics that confront self-doubt head-on. As the track builds, it transforms into an emotionally charged, chant-ready chorus, with Jonas singing, “Hit me like a gut punch / I hurt my own feelings / How did I get so good at being mean to myself?” The result is a song that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable — a reflection on inner criticism, pressure, and the emotional weight that comes with growing older.

In discussing the song’s inspiration, Jonas shared that “Gut Punch” came from a place of self-examination rather than surface-level insecurity. He explains that the track reflects questions he asks himself about being the best version of who he can be, as a person, a husband, and a father. As life becomes more complicated, he notes, it’s easy to lose touch with the carefree version of yourself who once moved through the world with curiosity and optimism.

Fans got an early preview of the song late last year, when Jonas debuted “Gut Punch” live during a November run of shows in Las Vegas. He continued introducing it at select tour stops, including a special performance during the Jonas Brothers’ Samsung TV Plus New Year’s Eve celebration, making its official release a fitting way to ring in the new year.

Sunday Best marks Jonas’ first solo album in nearly five years and is shaping up to be his most open and reflective project to date. Written over the past two years, the album draws from both celebratory and challenging moments in his life, capturing the growth and perspective he’s gained during that time. Across the record, Jonas leans into unguarded storytelling and vulnerability, sharing moments he’s never previously put into his music.

Sonically, Sunday Best pulls from Jonas’ roots, including his early years singing in church choirs. That foundation shows up in the album’s warm, soulful arrangements, layered instrumentation, and rich lyricism, elements that highlight what may be his most emotionally resonant body of work yet.

“I’m so excited to share these new stories, candid thoughts, quiet walks home in the city, and snapshots of my life over these past few years,” Jonas said of the album. “And while this album was made over the course of the last two years, it was truly 33 years in the making.”

“Gut Punch” is available to stream now, with Sunday Best arriving February 6. If this first single is any indication, Nick Jonas’ next chapter is one defined by honesty, reflection, and a renewed sense of purpose.

News

Preview: Audrey Hobert Brings Breakout Debut to Lincoln Hall Next Week

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photo credit: Kyle Berger

Fresh off a massive 2025 and the release of her critically acclaimed debut album Who’s the Clown?, rising pop star Audrey Hobert is headed to Chicago for a headlining stop on her Staircase to Stardom Tour. She’ll take the stage at Lincoln Hall on December 9, an intimate room that rapidly sold out as Hobert’s fanbase grows from coast to coast.

The Chicago show arrives just as Hobert unveils her newest self-directed music video, “Sex and the city,” a cinematic and emotionally charged visual that showcases her deepening artistic voice behind the camera. The video, which also features actor Will Price, extends her run of self-directed hits, following earlier visuals for “Sue me,” “Bowling alley,” and “Thirst Trap.” Hobert’s flair for directing has quickly become one of her defining traits, and “Sex and the city” might be her most ambitious storytelling effort yet: moody, intimate, and filled with the kind of character-driven tension that mirrors the song’s emotional core.

It’s another major moment in a year full of them. In August, Hobert released Who’s the Clown? through RCA Records, a debut that instantly caught industry attention. Rolling Stone awarded the record four stars and praised Hobert as “one of pop’s great new voices,” while outlets like NPR, W Magazine, and Cosmopolitan echoed the acclaim. She’s since made her late-night television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, further cementing her ascent.

Hobert’s rise may seem sudden, but it’s rooted in years of musical theatre training, dance, and a creative partnership with longtime friend Gracie Abrams. Before launching her own project, Hobert co-wrote several Abrams fan-favorites, “I Love You, I’m Sorry,” “Risk,” and the global hit “That’s So True”, and even directed their accompanying music videos. What started as a behind-the-scenes role transformed when Hobert realized the songs she was writing were meant for her own voice. With producer Ricky Gourmet, she built Who’s the Clown? from the ground up, a first-person artistic statement shaped entirely by Hobert herself, from songwriting to directing and editing.

Her first-ever headlining tour, Staircase to Stardom, kicked off this week at The Independent in San Francisco and will take her across the U.S., U.K., Europe, and Australia through May 2026. The Lincoln Hall date follows her appearance at Chicago’s Jingle Ball and marks her only standalone Chicago performance of the tour. Several stops have already been upgraded to larger venues due to overwhelming demand.

What to Expect at Lincoln Hall

The December 9 show promises a high-energy, deeply emotional night powered by Hobert’s theatricality and diaristic songwriting. With a debut album full of pop hooks, biting humor, and self-reflective storytelling, plus a brand-new video that fans are already buzzing about, this show offers a rare chance to catch a major new artist on the cusp of breakout stardom, in one of Chicago’s most beloved intimate rooms.

Fans can expect a setlist pulling from Who’s the Clown? alongside her earlier viral singles, with Hobert’s background in dance and theatre shaping a performance that’s as expressive as it is musically sharp. Given her history of crafting vivid visual worlds, the tour’s staging has also been a focal point, building on the eclectic, personality-driven aesthetic she brings to her videos.

With only one Chicago date on the calendar (not including her appearance at the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball stop in Rosemont) and her profile rising rapidly, this Lincoln Hall show is poised to become one of December’s most talked-about performances.

More information: https://lh-st.com/shows/12-09-2025-audrey-hobert/
Tour details: https://www.audreyhobert.net