If you’ve ever found yourself screaming the chorus of "Missing You" in your car—windows up or down, no judgment here—you know that John Waite isn’t just a 80s relic. The guy is a powerhouse. Honestly, his voice has aged like a fine scotch: smoky, expensive, and it hits you right in the gut. But here is the thing. Finding a reliable john waite concert schedule can sometimes feel like chasing a ghost through a digital maze of outdated ticket sites.
He’s not doing the massive stadium loops that some of his peers are. Instead, Waite prefers these intimate, high-energy theater shows and resort stops. It makes for a better experience, but it means you have to be fast. The 2026 run is already heating up with dates spanning from the humid corners of Florida to the desert venues of Arizona.
The Current 2026 Tour Landscape
The man is busy. Currently, the john waite concert schedule for 2026 is anchored by a heavy winter and spring presence in the United States. He's mixing solo headlining dates with some pretty cool collaborative shows. If you haven't seen him with John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band, you're missing out on a serious "classic rock" masterclass.
Here is what the immediate horizon looks like for the first half of the year:
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- January 30: Clearwater, FL at the Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre. This is a hometown-vibe show for snowbirds and locals alike.
- January 31: Sumterville, FL at The Tracy Performing Arts Center. Note that some listings show this as Wildwood or The Villages area—it’s all the same neck of the woods.
- February 1: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall.
- February 13: Conway, AR at Reynolds Performance Hall.
- March 14: Pocatello, ID at the Jensen Grand Concert Hall.
- March 20: Chandler, AZ at Gila River Resorts & Casinos - Wild Horse Pass (Featuring John Cafferty).
- March 21: Santa Fe, NM at Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino.
- March 26: Arlington, TX at Arlington Music Hall.
- March 27: New Braunfels, TX at the Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre.
- April 9: Tacoma, WA at Emerald Queen Casino.
- April 24: Shipshewana, IN at Blue Gate Performing Arts Center.
- May 15: Rancho Mirage, CA at The Show - Agua Caliente Casino.
Prices are varying wildly, as you'd expect. In places like Shipshewana, you might snag a seat for $45 or so, but if you're looking at the Florida dates or the high-demand casino shows, you’re likely looking at $80 to $120. Don't even get me started on the resale market—if you see a ticket for $1,200 in Idaho, just keep scrolling. That’s a glitch in the matrix.
What to Expect at the Show
Let’s be real: you’re going for the hits. But Waite doesn't just stand there and mail it in. He digs into his history with The Babys and Bad English. You’ll definitely hear "Midnight Rendezvous" and "When I See You Smile."
He’s known for doing this medley of "Whole Lotta Love" and "Let Me Love You Baby" that usually closes the night. It’s loud. It’s gritty. It reminds everyone that before he was a solo pop-rock king, he was a rock and roller through and through.
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The Setlist Staples
Most recent shows have followed a pretty consistent flow. He usually opens with "Change" (yes, the one from the Vision Quest soundtrack). From there, he weaves through:
- "Every Time I Think of You"
- "Head First"
- "Bluebird Cafe" (This one shows his Nashville influences and is a total sleeper hit live)
- "Missing You" (Usually saved for the penultimate spot)
Pro Tips for Booking
If you are looking at the john waite concert schedule and realize he isn't hitting your city yet, don't panic. He tends to add legs to his tours in chunks. He’s a working musician; he loves the road.
Check the official John Waite Worldwide site first. Ticketmaster and SeatGeek are fine, but the official site often links directly to the venue box offices, which can save you those "convenience" fees that are anything but convenient. Also, keep an eye on the "special guest" listings. Seeing him with The Babys or John Cafferty adds a whole different layer to the night.
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Actionable Next Steps
If you want to ensure you actually get a seat without paying triple the face value, here is your plan:
- Set a Google Alert: Use the phrase "John Waite tour dates" combined with your city name.
- Verify the Venue: Always double-check the venue’s own website. Third-party aggregators sometimes get the start times wrong (8:00 PM vs 7:00 PM is a big difference when you're looking for parking).
- Check the Age Limits: Some of these casino shows, like the one in Rancho Mirage, have strict age requirements (often 21+ or even 25 months+ according to some weirdly specific venue rules).
- Sign up for the Newsletter: It sounds old school, but the official artist mailing list is still the only way to get pre-sale codes before the general public swoops in.
The 2026 tour is shaping up to be a long one. Whether you're a die-hard fan from the Bad English days or just someone who appreciates a voice that can still reach the back of the room, getting your tickets early is the only way to go.