From record-breaking stadium tours to unforgettable award show performances, artists across genres turned stages into cultural landmarks.. 2025 was the year of live music.
Beyoncé took the stage with her tour in support of her Grammy-winning album, Cowboy Carter, and Billie Eilish’s sold-out tour for Hit Me Hard and Soft took over arenas. Doechii took center stage at the Grammys, Kendrick Lamar showed up and out at the Super Bowl and Chappell Roan and Elton John performed a heartwarming rendition of “Pink Pony Club” together, just to name a few.
We’ve rounded up our top 10 moments in live music in 2025.
Feb. 2nd, 2025 – Doechii Grammy’s performance – On February 2, the same night Doechii became the third woman ever to win best rap album for Alligator Bites Never Heal, she stepped out with an electric performance of “Catfish” and “Denial is a River.” The high caliber performance at the 67th annual Grammy Awards not only stunned the audience with Doechii’s ability to put on a show, but proved that she is just getting started.
Feb. 9th, 2025 – Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl performance – The 2025 Super Bowl LIX halftime show on February 9 broke records as the most watched halftime show of all time, ranking above Michael Jackson’s performance at Super Bowl XXVII in 1993 where he performed hits like “Not Like Us,” “HUMBLE,” and “All the Stars” with special guest SZA. Lamar’s dancers dressed from head to toe in red, white, and blue and were accompanied by Samuel L. Jackson’s guest appearance as Uncle Sam.
March 2nd, 2025 – Chappell Roan + Elton John AIDS Foundation Event – During her hour-long performance at Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Award Party on March 2, Chappell Roan invited Elton John on stage for a special rendition “Pink Pony Club.” Roan bestowed her pink cowgirl hat upon John’s head to wear for their performance. The following morning, Elton John AIDS Foundation announced that the viewing party had raised $8.6 million in support of the mission to end AIDS.
April 19, 2025–Dec. 11, 2025 – Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s Grand National Tour – The Grand National Tour is by far one of the most ambitious tours of the year, with Kendrick Lamar and SZA headlining together. With a setlist fifty songs long and paired with a whole crew of dancers, exciting sets and performances of fan-favorite songs like “HUMBLE” by Lamar and “Love Galore” by SZA took over stadiums this year.
April 28, 2025–July 26, 2025 – Beyonce, Cowboy Carter Tour – One of the most highly anticipated tours of the year brought not only music, but huge boosts in the economy. As the highest grossing country tour in history, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour trotted across the United States and Europe for a total of 32 shows, with some speculating there are more on the way.
May 3rd, 2025 – Lady Gaga’s free concert in Rio de Janeiro – As part of her Mayhem Ball tour supporting her recent release Mayhem, Lady Gaga performed for more than two million fans on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro for a free concert on May 3. The concert was performed as an attempt to revitalize Rio’s economy and image, as part of the “Todo Mundo no Rio” project. The pop-star sported Brazil-themed costumes and elaborate choreography to her most popular songs for an absolutely electric performance, her first in Brazil since 2012.
Aug. 15, 2024–Oct. 26, 2025 – Twenty One Pilots, The Clancy World Tour & The Clancy World Tour: Breach – Two years after concluding their Icy Tour, Twenty One Pilots hit the road in support of their albums Clancy and Breach starting last summer. The rock duo sold out almost every performance of their 96-show tour, putting on theatrical concerts with epic staging, pyrotechnics and fan-favorite set lists. One aspect of Twenty One Pilots’ shows that have made them stand out among other touring musicians is their interactions with the crowd. During multiple songs, the duo will go into the crowd or have fans in the general admission sections hold them up. The Clancy World Tour is no different and has solidified the rock duo as powerhouse performers.
Sep. 17, 2025–Feb. 25, 2026 – Lorde, Ultrasound World Tour – Despite commencing just a couple months ago, Lorde’s Ultrasound World Tour has already had many sold out performances and become the talk of the industry. From running through the crowd, to performing “No Better” for the first time in a decade, and even having a special appearance from Charli xcx for a performance of “Girl, so confusing,” the New Zealand singer has proven she knows how to put on a show.
Sept. 7th, 2025 – Sabrina Carpenter VMAs performance – Sabrina Carpenter stunned the VMAs with her Britney Spears-esque performance of “Tears,” from her latest album, Man’s Best Friend, showing out in a top reminiscent of Spears’ from her 2001 tour and dancing under pouring rain. On September 7, Carpenter performed onstage with drag queens as a show of solidarity against the White House’s continued attacks against transgender rights.
Sept. 29, 2024–Nov. 23, 2025 – Billie Eilish, Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour – Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft tour, which kicked off last year, has showcased her latest album with immersive visuals and a carefully crafted career-spanning setlist. Featuring atmospheric production and minimalist staging, the tour has highlighted Eilish’s signature artistry while offering fans an engaging live interpretation of her music.
