Fla.’s live music scene has been a hotspot this late summer, pulling in massive crowds from Pensacola to Miami despite the sweltering heat.
Over the past month, various pop superstars and country legends have filled popular venues such as Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Hard Rock Live in Hollywood and the Kia Center in Orlando.
On Aug. 15 and 16, The Weeknd’s “After Hours Til Dawn” Stadium Tour took over Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Joined by Playboi Carti and Mike Dean to promote his latest studio album release, “Hurry Up Tomorrow,” The Weeknd easily packed two sold-out nights with over 130,000 fans. The Weeknd blended well known hits like “Blinding Lights” and “Save Your Tears” with brooding new tracks, giving fans a taste of both new and old music.
“I am so grateful I got the chance to see him [The Weeknd] live.There was a huge crowd and it was electric,” Sam Basen, senior, said.
R&B fans got their fix on Sept. 4 when Kali Uchis’ “The Sincerely, Tour” Tour came to the Kia Center. Backed by Thee Sacred Souls’ opening set, the Colombian-American singer captivated 12,000 attendees with her dreamy blend of tracks like “Telepatía” and “After the Storm.”
“It was an unforgettable show and just being able to see my favorite artist and the songs that are always on repeat was the best part of it,” Sehrish Cook, junior, said.
Tate McRae’s “Miss Possessive” Tour came to the Kia Center with back-to-back shows on Sept. 13 and 14. The 22-year-old Canadian’s career was propelled by billions of streams from TikTok-viral hits like “Greedy” and “You Broke Me First.” Fans were decked out in sports jerseys and cheetah print accessories, screaming through every lyric.
“I loved screaming the song lyrics with my cousin because we don’t get the chance to hangout often, but when we do it’s always the best,” Megan Zhelev, senior, said.
Swedish pop star Zara Larsson opened for McRae with tracks like “Midnight Sun,” “Lush Life” and “Wow.”
“Her [Larsson] songs are super good and she really hyped up the show,” Zhelev said.
The Kia Center hosted Laufey’s “A Matter of Time” Tour on Sept. 15 with Suki Waterhouse, followed by Benson Boone’s American Heart on Sept. 28. Hard Rock Live hosted Cage the Elephant’s “Neon Pill” Tour on Sept. 18. Amerant Bank Arena welcomes the Jonas Brothers’ “JONAS20 Greetings From Your Hometown residency” tour starting Oct. 24.
Looking to 2026, singers like Ariana Grande and Lainey Wilson are already selling out arenas.
Ariana Grande’s “Eternal Sunshine” Tour hits Amerant Bank Arena on June 30 and July 2, her first headlining run since 2019. The Boca Raton native’s recent deluxe album “Eternal Sunshine: Brighter Days Ahead” is driving resale prices extremely high.
“I hope I can get tickets for her [Grande’s] tour. She’s so talented and her old tours seem like a lot of fun,” MaryEllis Brown, junior, said.
Lainey Wilson’s “Whirlwind” World Tour is set for a Feb. stop at the Kia Center. Thomas Rhett’s “Better In Boots” Tour follows in March at West Palm Beach’s iTHINK Amphitheatre. Rascal Flatts’ reunion tour is rumored for a summer 2026 swing through Amerant Bank Arena.
Zara Larsson, after stealing the show as McRae’s opener, is slated for her “Midnight Sun” Tour in late 2025, with a Fla. date in Fort Lauderdale and Orlando.
“I’m looking forward to seeing her because she’s gained a lot of popularity recently,” Sophia Velasquez, senior, said.
Tickets are selling fast on Ticketmaster and SeatGeek, with resale prices spiking for high-demand shows. From country jams to pop spectacles, Florida’s stages are experiencing a year of music that will be memorable.
