Honestly, if you still think of Grace VanderWaal as the "ukulele girl" from America’s Got Talent, you’re about to get a massive wake-up call. The pigtails are long gone. The bubblegum pop has been replaced by something much darker, gritier, and—frankly—way more interesting.
The Grace VanderWaal concert tour for her latest era isn't just a series of shows; it’s a full-on artistic exorcism. After years of being quiet on the touring front, Grace finally returned to the stage to support her sophomore album, Childstar, which dropped in April 2025. This wasn't the sprawling, 50-city marathon fans might have expected. Instead, it was a lean, intentional six-city North American run that felt more like underground performance art than a standard pop concert.
What Really Happened on the Childstar Tour
Most people missed how quickly these tickets vanished. Because she hadn't headlined since 2019’s Ur So Beautiful tour, the demand for the May 2025 dates was borderline chaotic. She played intimate, legendary rooms—places like Lincoln Hall in Chicago and The Roxy in Los Angeles. These weren't arenas. They were sweaty, loud, and incredibly personal spaces where you could actually see the grit in her voice.
The setlist was a trip. She opened with "Proud," a song that basically deconstructs the pressure of being a child star while the crowd screams the lyrics back at her. It’s heavy stuff.
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The 2025 City Lineup
If you weren't in one of these cities, you basically had to rely on TikTok clips:
- Chicago: The kickoff at Lincoln Hall (May 4).
- Toronto: Her only Canadian stop at The Great Hall.
- Washington, D.C.: A haunting night at The Atlantis.
- New York City: Racket NYC, which felt like a homecoming.
- Los Angeles: The Roxy Theatre (the energy here was unmatched).
- San Francisco: Closing it out at Brick & Mortar Music Hall (May 21).
The 2026 Outlook: Is There More?
Here is the part where we have to be real. As of early 2026, Grace hasn't announced a massive "Part 2" for the Childstar tour. She’s always been an artist who prioritizes the "vibe" over the "grind." After her mother, Tina VanderWaal, passed away in late 2025 following a cancer battle, Grace has understandably been more selective about her public appearances.
There are whispers about festival slots for the 2026 summer season. If you're looking for a Grace VanderWaal concert tour update, you should be watching the Coachella or Lollapalooza lineups rather than expecting a 40-date bus tour. She seems to be leaning into the "less is more" philosophy right now.
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Why This Tour Felt Different
If you saw her back in 2017 opening for Imagine Dragons, this is a different human being. The 2025 shows featured a heavy emphasis on physical storytelling. She collaborated with choreographer Luca Renzi to create these weird, beautiful movements that synced with songs like "Fade" and "Behavioral Problems."
She’s moving away from the "indie-pop darling" label. The music now has these cinematic, Björk-inspired textures. It’s "art-pop" with a capital A.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of casual listeners think she’s just an actress now because of the Stargirl movies or her role in Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis. That's a mistake. While her acting career is booming, the 2025 tour proved that live music is where her rawest self lives. She isn't playing a character on stage.
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Actionable Tips for Fans in 2026
Since dates aren't dropping every week, you have to be tactical if you want to see her live this year.
- Skip the Generic Ticket Sites: Don't just Google "Grace VanderWaal tickets" and click the first ad. Those are often resellers marking up prices by 300%. Check her official site or Pulse Records' bulletins first.
- Watch the "Final Act": If you missed the live shows, she released a short film called CHILDSTAR: Final Act on YouTube. It captures the choreography and the mood of the tour perfectly. It’s basically the concert film we all wanted.
- The "Track" Feature is Your Friend: Use the "Track" button on platforms like Bandsintown or Songkick. Because her tour announcements are often "blink and you'll miss it" six-city runs, you need a push notification the second a venue is booked.
- Prepare for a High-Intensity Show: This isn't a "sit down and clap" acoustic set anymore. The Childstar material is loud, emotive, and sometimes uncomfortable. Wear comfortable shoes; the energy in the pit at Racket or The Roxy was surprisingly intense.
The Childstar era has officially killed off the old version of Grace VanderWaal. What’s left is an artist who doesn't care about being "cute" or "marketable." She just wants to be heard. Keep your eyes on the festival circuit for the remainder of 2026, as that is the most likely place she will resurface for live performances.