Honestly, the last year has been a total whirlwind for Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney. If you follow the band, you probably saw the headlines back in May 2024. One day they’re announcing this massive International Players Tour to hit arenas across North America, and the next, the whole thing is just... gone. Just wiped from the calendar without a word at first. People were confused. Fans were annoyed. The internet, predictably, started whispering about "low ticket sales" and "overpriced seats."
But here is the thing: they didn't just crawl into a hole and hide. Instead, they fired their management—specifically Full Stop Management led by Irving Azoff—and went right back into the studio. Out of that frustration came a brand-new record called No Rain, No Flowers, which basically set the stage for the current black keys concert tour cycle that’s actually making its way through 2025 and into 2026.
The Drama Behind the Canceled Arena Run
It’s pretty rare for a band of this size to "take one on the face" as publicly as they did. Patrick Carney eventually opened up about it, saying they were essentially talked into booking "rooms they shouldn't have been in." Think 14,000-seat arenas for a band that feels way more at home in a sweaty, 5,000-cap theater.
The strategy was a mess.
Tickets were priced between $100 and $300 in some spots, which is a lot of money to ask for a garage rock show. When the sales didn't hit the mark, management suggested moving to smaller venues, but Carney later claimed those "holds" on the smaller rooms didn't even exist. It was a bluff. So, they hit the reset button. They killed the 2024 tour, refunded everyone, and decided to do things their own way.
What the 2025 No Rain, No Flowers Tour Looks Like
The new tour is a complete 180. It’s titled the No Rain, No Flowers Tour, and it kicked off on May 23, 2025, in Durant, Oklahoma. Instead of cold, cavernous hockey rinks, they are hitting iconic outdoor spots and amphitheaters.
You’ve got dates at:
- Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado (May 27)
- The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles (June 3)
- Forest Hills Stadium in New York (August 13)
- Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park (June 14)
It’s a much better vibe. They brought along acts like Hermanos Gutiérrez and The Heavy Heavy to keep that soulful, bluesy energy consistent throughout the night.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Black Keys Schedule
If you missed the 2025 dates, don't worry too much. The band is already stacking the deck for 2026. They seem to be leaning heavily into the festival circuit, which makes sense given the "party" atmosphere of their latest music.
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We already have confirmation for several major 2026 appearances:
- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (Late April/Early May 2026)
- Minnesota Yacht Club Festival in Saint Paul (July 17, 2026)
- Rock en Seine in Paris (August 2026)
- Victorious Festival in the UK (August 28-30, 2026)
They are also doing a two-night stand at Spruce Meadows in Calgary on June 5 and 6, 2026. It looks like the strategy now is "quality over quantity." They aren't trying to force an arena tour that doesn't fit the current market. They’re playing places people actually want to go.
The Live Experience: What’s on the Setlist?
If you catch them on this black keys concert tour, expect a mix of the new "pop crossover" stuff and the gritty Akron blues that made them famous. Their recent sets have been heavy on the hits, usually closing out with the "Lonely Boy" and "Little Black Submarines" combo that turns every venue into a giant sing-along.
They’ve also been weaving in covers like Canned Heat’s "On the Road Again" and William Bell’s "I Forgot to Be Your Lover." It’s a very loose, high-energy show. Dan’s guitar work is still as sharp as ever, and Patrick is still hitting those drums like he’s trying to break them.
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Why This Tour Feels Different
There’s a certain "nothing to lose" energy with them right now. Carney basically said they did a random corporate gig in Akron recently just because they were "broke" after losing all their 2024 touring income. That kind of honesty is refreshing. They aren't pretending to be untouchable rock stars anymore; they’re two guys from Ohio who just want to play their songs and not get screwed over by the industry "monopoly."
The "No Rain, No Flowers" title isn't just a clever phrase. It’s the mantra for this whole comeback. The "rain" was the 2024 cancellation fiasco and the management split. The "flowers" are these 2025 and 2026 shows that feel much more authentic to who they are.
How to Actually Get Tickets Without Getting Burned
Since they moved away from the massive arena model, tickets for the black keys concert tour are actually moving pretty fast. Because the venues are smaller (5,000 to 8,000 capacity), the demand is more concentrated.
- Check official sites first. Always start at theblackkeys.com to see the primary sellers.
- Watch the festival lineups. Often, a festival ticket is cheaper than a resale headlining ticket if you just want to see a 75-minute hit-heavy set.
- Wait for the "Platinum" prices to drop. Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing often spikes at launch and dips a few weeks before the show.
It’s been a weird road for the Keys lately, but the 2025 and 2026 dates show a band that has finally figured out their place in the modern touring landscape. They aren't an "arena band" in the way Taylor Swift is, and they finally seem okay with that. They’re a great rock band, and in a 6,000-seat amphitheater on a summer night, that’s exactly where they belong.
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To stay ahead of the next wave of dates, keep an eye on the official tour page as they often add "under-the-radar" club shows or second legs to their festival runs on short notice. If you are planning for the 2026 festivals, booking travel early for events like New Orleans Jazz Fest is essential, as those weekends sell out regardless of who is headlining.