The Music Scene in the Bay Area in 2026
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Over the years, many artists have come to the Bay Area to perform their sold-out concerts. These have ranged from Ariana Grande performing at the Oakland Arena to Luke Bryan at the Shoreline Amphitheatre, as well as Outside Lands hosting popular musicians and performances like Karol G, Charli XCX, Daniel Caesar, and many more. However, this is not where the Bay’s music scene ends! Artists like Steve Lacy, Bruno Mars, and Olivia Rodrigo are hitting sold-out stadiums in the fall. Here are some upcoming performances as well as ones who've made their mark in the Bay.
Outside Lands is a popular music festival that took place from Aug. 7-9 in San Francisco at Golden Gate Park. Many famous artists like Charli XCX, Empire of the Sun, The Strokes, and DJO headlined the festival. As well as newly introduced artists like Audrey Hobert, Adore, and Rose Gray. Outside Lands had many Bay Area influences, from naming the different stages after things that make San Francisco special to including local restaurants to serve food!
The main stage was called Twin Peaks that held the headliners. The name came from San Francisco's most famous and highest geographic neighborhoods that have two adjacent hills rising near the center of the city, casting a beautiful view. Outside Lands had an incredible variety of food from restaurants all over San Francisco. Any food you name was at the festival: crab boil, tacos, curry, and many more delicious treats.
Levi's Stadium has had uplifting artists perform over the last couple of months. Artists like Karol G, Bad Bunny’s halftime performance, and AC/DC have performed at the stadium. Karol G held an amazing show including all types of Latin music, even bringing out a Mariachi Band to sing with Becky G, another famous Latina artist. Bad Bunny's halftime performance was very influential, giving a message to the audience: “The only thing more powerful than hate is love”. His performance was centered on unity, inclusion, and the idea that together we are America. AC/DC brought a wave of nostalgia to their fans when they brought back the longtime vocalist of the band, Brian Johnson.
The concerts don't end here! Bruno Mars will be performing on The Romantic Tour at Levi's Stadium on Oct. 10 and 11, and will include openers like the artist Raye. Steve Lacy will take a visit to San Francisco on Nov. 24 for his Oh yeah? Tour. The tour will include songs from his new album, where he produced a song for “Spider-Man: Brand New Day”, which was a fan hit! Olivia Rodrigo is going on The Unraveled Tour for her new album, “You seem pretty sad for a girl so in love.” The concert will take place in Oakland from Dec. 11-12 and will include the new angelic songs she produced, along with the songs from her albums Sour and Guts, that made her popular.
2026 is the year of concerts for the Bay! If you are interested, there are still tickets for many of the upcoming concerts! Claim them now so you can take advantage of the Bay Area concerts this year and have the most fun.