Coming Soon: Major Summer 2018 Tours

Taylor Swift
Openers: Camila Cabello and Charli XCX
'reputation' World Tour

Taylor Swift ferociously returned to the charts in 2017 with her first album in three years titled reputation. After public feuds that dragged around Swift's once-flawless character, reputation was the album to address her growth and struggles over the past three years. Its name and persona spoke for itself. The marketing strategy focused around black and red. Ads included the snake that Swift's Instagram account so famously swarmed with after her fallout with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. Swift's entire tour personality also focuses around the dark. As her lead single "Look What You Made Me Do" stated, "I'm sorry, the Old Taylor can't come to the phone right now. Why? Oh, 'cause she's dead." reputation's lead-up to release was just that: aggressive, image-altering, and a little petty. Fans squirmed at the idea that the red-lipped. smiling girl who danced around in sun dresses and looked shocked when she won awards was truly gone.

However, the album itself spoke to a different Swift than the hype warned for. Though her album clearly discusses the trials that her reputation went through, Swift also continues to focus on that one thing that grounds all of her music: the importance of love. Throughout the past three years, while Swift herself has struggled in her career, she has also stumbled through her twentysomethings into true love. The album is not about West or Perry or what they made her do. Instead, Swift rips out the ugliness that hides in every young woman figuring s*** out and puts it on the record for fans to hear. She openly discusses sex for one of the first times in her career. She also swears; though not often, it's enough to once again demonstrate that she is grown and now unafraid.

Swift's 'reputation' World Tour will bring the alternate Swift persona around the world. However, Swift has also acknowledged that the tour will include old hits, as well, for longtime fans. The tour began in Arizona and will continue until early October. 

Find out what Swift has to say about her reputation - purchase Taylor Swift tickets. 

​J. Cole 
Openers: Young Thug
"KOD Tour"

​J. Cole announced his "KOD Tour" after releasing his 2018 album KOD. Young Thug will open for the majority of the tour dates, creating an epic lineup featuring two major hip-hop artists. The tour begins in August and heads through mid-October. J. Cole's KOD broke multiple streaming records when it was released in April. He explained that "KOD" stands for Kids On Drugs, King OverDosed, and Kill Our Demons. Each meaning reflects a different theme in the album. J. Cole battles with societal norms, such as social media, and disease, such as alcoholism, in KOD. Much like a majority of his lyrics, J. Cole's focus is observation of the world around him and those close to him that translate into internal critique and reflection. His serious tone welcomes critiques to call the star "preachy" in a way that Lamar evades, but J. Cole's talent and unique sound permeate KOD like this other records.

Purchase J. Cole tickets. 

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​Beyoncé and JAY-Z
Openers: TBA
"On the Run II Tour"

Two of the music industry's biggest stars align for the "On the Run II Tour" during 2018. After Lemonade and Becky with the Good Hair and 4:44 reflections, Bey & Jay are back as a power couple ready for a co-headlining blockbuster tour. Though Beyoncé has yet to drop an album since 2016, JAY-Z released 4:44 in 2017 around the time that their twins were born. This tour will certainly include many old hits from Beyoncè's catalog, as well as some potential new music foreshadowing her next album release. JAY-Z will most likely focus on 4:44, but fans are sure to hear his hits in conjunction with his wife's set, as well. 

The tour's European leg kicks off in June and heads through July. The North American leg begins in late July and goes through early October. "On the Run II Tour" is the sequel to their 2014 "On the Run Tour." 

Purchase On the Run II Tour tickets.  

​Jason Aldean
Openers: Lauren Alaina and Luke Combs
"High Noon Neon Tour" 

​​Jason Aldean is one of the biggest male country artists and live performers in the genre. After a difficult 2017 that involved the Route 91 shooting while he was onstage, Aldean is back for his first full-length tour since the massacre. Aldean is known for his performative skills, captivating stadiums for years. His new album Rearview Town dropped in April. He is touring in support of his new album, and is bringing young stars Lauren Alaina and Luke Combs on the road. Aldean also just released the single "Drowns the Whiskey" featuring Miranda Lambert in May. 

The "High Noon Neon Tour" begins in May and goes until late September. Purchase Jason Aldean tickets. 

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​By Jenna