Bay Area music 2026: 10 great concert acts headed our way

It’s shaping up to be another amazing year for concerts in the Bay Area.

And that’s just based on what we know thus far. More intriguing shows are sure to be announced in the weeks and months ahead.

Yet, to be honest, our dance card is already mighty full with a whole array of different kinds of gigs – from big pop shows to classic rock concerts and a number of different small club shows.Here is a look at just some of concerts that we are really looking forward to seeing in 2026. (For information on all shows, visit Ticketmaster.com unless otherwise noted.)

AC/DC: Admit it, AC/DC fans, you were more than a bit nervous after these Australian hard rockers announced its 2025 tour — and it didn’t include a single Bay Area date. Ah, but it turns out that AC/DC didn’t forget its loyal NorCal fans after all and was just saving the big Santa Clara date for Phase 2 of its blockbuster PWR/UP Tour. So make plans to catch Angus Young and company — and hear all those classic rock faves — when AC/DC hits Levi’s Stadium on Aug. 5. And get there on time in order to hear the cool opening act — The Pretty Reckless — as well.

Cardi B: The talented hip-hop star — who first gained fame on social media and as a cast member on VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop: New York” before knocking it out of the park with the chart-topping full-length debut “Invasion of Privacy” in 2018 — is set to embark on her first-ever arena headlining tour. The trek supports the long-awaited sophomore effort “Am I the Drama?” and includes two NorCal dates — Feb. 25 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento and Feb. 27 at Chase Center in San Francisco.

Ringo Starr: We’re always up for pretty much any chance to see a Beatle in concert. Yet, this particular opportunity provides listeners with not only the chance to see the Fab Four’s great drummer but also a bunch of other notable musicians as well, as Ringo Starr leads His All-Starr Band into the San Jose Civic on June 11. The cast includes Steve Lukather (Toto), Colin Hay (Men at Work), Warren Ham (Kansas, Toto), Hamish Stuart (Average White Band), Gregg Bissonette (David Lee Roth) and Buck Johnson (Aerosmith, Hollywood Vampires).

Belle & Sebastian: The acclaimed Scottish indie-pop act is revisiting two of its finest albums over the course of two nights at The Masonic in San Francisco. And both of these albums were released in 1996, which means they turn 30 in 2026. First up, the band will perform the debut “Tigermilk” on June 10. Then it follows up with its sophomore effort, “If You’re Feeling Sinister,” on June 11. (For more information, visit livenation.com).

Forrest Frank: The Texas troubadour’s major-label debut, 2024’s “Child of God,” was a smash hit that spent nearly three dozen (non-consecutive) weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart. So what does Frank do for a follow up? He releases “Child of God II” — which also hit No. 1 on the charts — and plots a big headlining tour that is scheduled to reach the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on July 8 and Oakland Arena on July 14.

Other best bets

• Phil Manzanera, Feb. 19, Great American Music Hall, San Francisco
• Rosalia, July 6, Oakland Arena
• Olivia Dean, July 10-11, Chase Center, San Francisco
• Toto, Christopher Cross, Romantics, July 15, Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountain View
• Rush, Oct. 15 and 17, SAP Center, San Jose