What Does the 2021 Metro Phoenix Concert Calendar Look Like?

So, 2020 was pretty much The Year That Didn’t Happen in terms of live music. Just 10 weeks into the year, festivals, tours, and local shows all pretty much ground to a halt, leaving music lovers dreaming of a day when concerts would be back.

We’re not quite there yet, but if Arizona can get its act together and start distributing vaccines efficiently, there are some big shows and festivals that are currently scheduled for later in 2021. Of course, nothing, including concerts, is guaranteed right now, and things can change quickly. So mark your calendars, and watch this space for updates.

Country Thunder

April 8-10
Florence, Arizona

This two-day festival got canceled in April and October 2020, so perhaps the third time’s the charm. Luke Combs, Eric Church, Dustin Lynch, and others are scheduled to appear at this weekend-long event.

Wet Electric

April 24
Big Surf, Tempe

The annual event that blends EDM and a day at the waterpark. Lineup announcements, when they happen, can be found here.

High Tide Festival

April 25
Big Surf, Tempe

Big Surf will be the backdrop for back-to-back festivals during the last weekend of April. High Tide is headlined by Sublime With Rome.

Justin Bieber

June 5
Gila River Arena, Glendale

The Biebs was set to kick off a world tour last May, including a June 5 date in the Valley. One year to the day, Beliebers will finally be able to see the show.

Rage Against the Machine

June 7 and 8
Gila River Arena

Phoenix RATM fans had one of the biggest hissy fits in recent memory when, after 11 years without a local show by the band, tickets for a March 2020 gig were quite pricey and sold out almost immediately. Adding a second show placated the mob slightly, but it was all for naught when they were both canceled due to COVID-19. The makeup dates are now happening this summer.

Halsey

June 12
Ak-Chin Pavilion

The ethereal-voiced pop singer whose hits include “Bad at Love” and “New Americana” will hit the open-air stage at Ak-Chin this summer.

Tame Impala

July 28
Gila River Arena, Glendale

We were particularly psyched for the band’s scheduled July 2020 show until, like most of what we were looking forward to in 2020, it was postponed. A year isn’t too long to wait, though.

Alanis Morissette

August 5
Ak-Chin Pavilion

Everyone’s favorite angry ’90s girl (and Broadway muse) will be at Ak-Chin this summer.

The Weeknd
August 8
Gila River Arena, Glendale

You probably aren’t going to the Super Bowl (where The Weeknd is scheduled to be the halftime performer), so your best chance to watch Abel Tesfaye perform live is his rescheduled date in Glendale.

Judas Priest

October 9
Arizona Federal Theatre

More than 50 years after they formed in England, Judas Priest are still rocking stages. Don’t miss your chance to see this legendary metal band (fronted by local resident Rob Halford) in the fairly intimate setting of Arizona Federal Theatre.

Dan + Shay

October 17
Gila River Arena, Glendale

The popular country duo were less than a week into their 2020 tour when the pandemic forced them to cancel. Metro Phoenix’s makeup date will happen this fall.