A few of basic rock’s most beloved bands spent a complete lot of time on the highway in 2025.
With numbers from SetList.fm, here is a have a look at the 13 acts who performed essentially the most concert events over the previous years, together with a fast preview of what they’ve deliberate for 2026:
12 (Tie). Coronary heart: 73 Exhibits
Coronary heart needed to minimize their 2024 tour brief on account of Ann Wilson’s most cancers remedy, however the singer efficiently accomplished her remedy and made a triumphant return to the stage alongside her bandmates in late February 2025.
The group encountered a few obstacles because the yr went on – together with a busted elbow that had Wilson performing seated and in a sling for some time, and the backstage theft of two beloved guitars – which, fortunately, had been recovered. However Coronary heart powered their manner by means of to earn a tie for the No. 12 spot on this record, they usually’ve already introduced plans to hit the highway once more in 2026.
coronary heart’s ann and nancy wilson
12 (Tie). .38 Particular: 73 Exhibits
Along with releasing Milestone, their first new album in over 20 years, .38 Particular saved busy on the highway in 2025, performing 73 reveals. “Whenever you’re reintroducing your self to the world, ‘adequate’ does not work anymore,” co-founder Don Barnes stated of the brand new report. “If you happen to’re gonna do it, you may as properly go massive.” The identical pondering appears to have utilized to their tour schedule.
Jason Kempin, Getty Photographs
Learn Extra: Which Traditional Rock Acts Performed the Most Live shows in 2024?
11. Rod Stewart: 74 Exhibits
Even though his present tour is known as ‘One Final Time,” Rod Stewart does not appear to be slowing down. He performed 74 reveals in 2025, up from 50 the earlier yr. That included a Glastonbury set together with his former bandmate Ronnie Wooden, at which he was honored together with his personal leopard-skin rest room. And the enjoyable’s not over, as Stewart has already prolonged the ‘One Final Time’ tour into 2026.
Jason Kempin, Getty Photographs
10. Foreigner: 77 Exhibits
It was a yr of transitions for Foreigner, as longtime singer Kelly Hansen retired from the band on the finish of their summer time tour. Nonetheless, three years into what was initially deliberate because the group’s farewell tour, the band modified course, selling multi-instrumentalist Luis Maldonado to a brand new position as their lead singer and canceling their retirement.
To make issues much more thrilling, unique singer Lou Gramm has been accompanying Foreigner on tour in a visitor starring position. The band has already introduced some massive plans for 2026, together with a string of orchestral reveals and a tour with Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Lou Gramm and Foreigner
9. Kansas: 78 Exhibits
2025 was a relatively hectic yr for Kansas. Singer / keyboardist Ronnie Platt endured a (profitable!) battle with most cancers, guitarist Wealthy Williams was compelled to scale back his tour schedule on account of a severe eye concern, and drummer Phil Ehart was nonetheless recovering from a serious 2024 coronary heart assault. However the band carried on, retooling their lineup and performing 78 reveals – together with one very particular reunion live performance – earlier than confirming extra dates for 2026.
Ronnie Platt of Kansas
8. The Darkness: 79 Exhibits
After releasing one other sometimes thrilling new album, Desires on Toast, the Darkness hit the highway laborious, performing 79 reveals in 2025. That included a November present in Austin, Texas which led our reviewer to declare them “probably the greatest purveyors of killer riffs and arena-sized hooks within the enterprise.”
the darkness dwell in austin, texas
7. Styx: 80 Exhibits
Styx, as regular, maintained one of many busiest tour schedules in basic rock this yr, racking up 80 reveals. What’s totally different now could be that they are nearly as busy within the studio as properly. After going 12 years with out releasing a brand new album, this yr’s Circling From Above was their third launch since 2017.
Tommy Shaw of Styx
6. Bob Dylan: 82 Exhibits
Bob Dylan turned 84 in 2025, and nearly matched that quantity with an 82-date tour schedule. He is now coming into the sixth yr of the Tough and Rowdy Methods World Vast Tour, which contains a set record dominated by songs from his 2020 album of the identical identify. He’ll be again on the highway once more in March, with 27 2026 dates already on the books.
5. Low cost Trick: 83 Exhibits
Low cost Trick rang up one other sometimes busy yr in 2025, performing 83 reveals together with what was billed as a Japanese farewell tour. In addition they launched a brand new album with the self-deprecating title All Washed Up – though the music proved they’re something however. They will be again on the highway in 2026, each headlining and alongside Styx.
Low cost Trick
4. Alice Cooper: 93 Exhibits
Age ain’t nothing however a quantity to 77-year-old Alice Cooper, who reunited with the surviving members of the unique Alice Cooper group for a terrific new album ( The Revenge of Alice Cooper, his fourth in eight years) and took his red-hot touring band out for 93 dates in 2025.
Along with plotting new solo and Alice Cooper group albums, the king of theatrical laborious rock is already filling in his 2026 dance card with U.S. and European dates.
Paul Bergen, Getty Photographs
3. Chicago: 94 Exhibits
With three founding musicians – keyboardist Robert Lamm, trumpeter Lee Loughnane and trombonist James Pankow – nonetheless serving as lively members of the group, Chicago powered their manner by means of 94 reveals in 2025, demonstrating no indicators of slowing down anytime quickly. They will spend the summer time of 2026 enjoying outside venues with Styx.
Jeff Schear, Getty Photographs
2. ZZ High: 107 Exhibits
After profitable final yr’s version of this record with 99 reveals in 2024, ZZ High performed eight extra reveals in 2025, adequate for a silver medal. Frontman Billy Gibbons tops the record outright should you add the 33 solo reveals he performed over the previous twelve months, bringing his 2025 whole to 140. Each Gibbons and ZZ High have already got dozens of tour dates lined up for 2026.
Corine Solberg, Getty Photographs
1. Melvins: 117 Exhibits
It was a comparatively sluggish yr by way of releasing new Melvins music, a minimum of by their workaholic requirements. In February they collaborated with Napalm Dying on the Savage Imperial Dying March EP, and in April they launched their twenty eighth full-length album, the progressive and uncompromising Thunderball.
They saved extra-busy on the highway although, blasting by means of 117 dates with a four-man, two-drummer lineup. The Melvins have gotten only one date on the books for 2026 up to now – April on the Sick New World competition in Las Vegas – however do not be shocked if a lot larger plans are introduced.
buzz osborne of melvins
This is How Many Exhibits Different Traditional Rock Stars Performed in 2025:
Mammoth 66
Toto 66
Marshall Tucker Band 65
David Byrne 56
Judas Priest 54
Billy Idol 52
Blue Oyster Cult 52
Santana 51
Robert Plant and Saving Grace 50
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts 49
Paul McCartney 46
Weapons N’ Roses 45
John Fogerty 43
Oasis 41
The Who 39
Kevin Cronin Band 38
AC/DC 37
The Cult 36
Scorpions 33
Neil Younger and Chrome Hearts 33
Def Leppard 33
The Doobie Brothers 32
Metallica 32
Iron Maiden 32 (and Bruce Dickinson 25)
Peter Frampton 31
Grand Funk 29
Eagles 28
Bruce Springsteen 25
The Black Crowes 24
David Lee Roth 23
Sammy Hagar 22
Stevie Nicks 18
Journey 6
2026’s Largest Rock Excursions
Rock reunions are creating a few of the greatest headlines for 2026 – however there are many different large reveals on the best way.
Gallery Credit score: Nick DeRiso
