NME NEWS: SOUNDGARDEN — AND THE BAND ARE BACK! 2026 SPRING TOUR CONFIRMED — THEIR BOLDEST SINCE A.M.! DATES & CITIES REVEALED 👇👇👇👇
Seattle icons Soundgarden have officially confirmed their long-anticipated return to the stage with a sweeping 2026 Spring Tour, marking the band’s most ambitious live chapter since the early days that reshaped alternative rock. More than a reunion, the announcement is being framed as a celebration of legacy, brotherhood, and unfinished business—a powerful statement from a band whose influence continues to ripple across generations.
Anchored by Kim Thayil, Ben Shepherd, and Matt Cameron, the tour honors the spirit and artistry of Chris Cornell, whose voice and songwriting defined an era. Rather than replacing him, the band has chosen a tribute-forward approach, with carefully selected guest vocalists joining on select dates to perform different eras of the catalog—each paying respect while bringing their own voice to the music. The focus, the band says, is on the songs themselves: raw, towering, and timeless.
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A BOLD RETURN WITH PURPOSE
Soundgarden’s 2026 tour is being described by insiders as “their boldest since A.M.,” nodding to the band’s earliest creative explosion—when risk-taking, volume, and experimentation ruled. Expect a setlist that digs deep: thunderous cuts from “Badmotorfinger”, the melodic darkness of “Superunknown”, the grit of “Down on the Upside,” and select early tracks that longtime fans have been waiting decades to hear live again.
Production will lean cinematic but restrained—towering backdrops, moody lighting, and a sound mix designed to preserve the band’s famously heavy low end and jagged edges. This is not nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake; it’s a reminder of why Soundgarden mattered—and still does.
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2026 SPRING TOUR — DATES & CITIES
The tour launches in April 2026, spanning North America and Europe, with additional dates expected to follow:
North America
Seattle, WA — Climate Pledge Arena
Portland, OR — Moda Center
San Francisco, CA — Chase Center
Los Angeles, CA — Kia Forum
Denver, CO — Ball Arena
Chicago, IL — United Center
Detroit, MI — Little Caesars Arena
Toronto, ON — Scotiabank Arena
New York, NY — Madison Square Garden
Boston, MA — TD Garden
Europe
London, UK — The O2
Manchester, UK — AO Arena
Paris, FR — Accor Arena
Amsterdam, NL — Ziggo Dome
Berlin, DE — Mercedes-Benz Arena
Milan, IT — Mediolanum Forum
Support acts will be announced soon, with rumors pointing toward a lineup that bridges grunge, modern alternative, and heavy rock.
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WHY THIS MOMENT MATTERS
Soundgarden’s return lands at a time when rock is once again craving weight and authenticity. Their songs—equal parts beauty and menace—feel newly relevant in a world rediscovering the power of loud guitars and uncompromising art. This tour isn’t about rewriting history; it’s about carrying it forward with integrity.
As one source close to the band put it: “This is about honoring Chris, honoring the music, and honoring the fans who never let it fade.”
🔥 Soundgarden are back—louder than memory, heavier than ever, and impossible to ignore.
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