John Mellencamp Announces 2026 Summer Tour Highlighting Greatest Hits
Bloomington, IN, January 14, 2026 – Rock legend John Mellencamp, at age 74, has unveiled his Dancing Words Tour – The Greatest Hits, a 19-date summer trek set to bring back his iconic songs from the 1980s and beyond for the first time in decades.
Tour Details and Setlist
The tour kicks off July 10 at Acrisure Amphitheater in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and wraps up August 12 at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. Mellencamp, who has focused on theater-style performances in recent years, is shifting back to outdoor concerts to deliver fan-favorite hits. The setlist promises classics such as “Pink Houses,” “Jack and Diane,” “Small Town,” “Hurts So Good,” “Authority Song,” “Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First),” and long-unplayed gems like “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.,” “I Need a Lover,” “Wild Night,” and “Ain’t Even Done With the Night.” In a promotional video featuring actor Sean Penn, Mellencamp explained his decision, noting that at 74, he feels ready to share these songs again after years of requests.
Mellencamp’s career evolution includes his battle to shed the stage name “Johnny Cougar,” imposed by his early manager Tony DeFries. Starting as Johnny Cougar in 1976, he became John Cougar with his breakthrough album “American Fool” in 1982, then John Cougar Mellencamp in 1983, and finally John Mellencamp in 1991. He has sold over 60 million albums worldwide and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.
In addition to the tour, Mellencamp is set to release his 26th studio album, “Orphan Train,” in 2026, following 2023’s “Orpheus Descending.” He shared a teaser video of himself reciting lyrics from the song “Eden” in May 2025.
Key Facts and Tour Dates
| Tour Date | Venue and City |
|---|---|
| July 10 | Acrisure Amphitheater, Grand Rapids, MI |
| July 11 | Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, IL |
| July 13 | Morton Amphitheater, Kansas City, MO |
| July 14 | Mystic Lake Amphitheater, Shakopee, MN |
| July 16 | Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston, MI |
| July 18 | Ruoff Music Center, Noblesville, IN |
| July 19 | Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, OH |
| July 21 | Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls, OH |
| July 24 | Xfinity Center, Mansfield, MA |
| July 25 | PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ |
| July 26 | Northwell at Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, NY |
| July 29 | Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow, VA |
| July 30 | Truliant Amphitheater, Charlotte, NC |
| August 1 | Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, Alpharetta, GA |
| August 3 | MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa, FL |
| August 6 | The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Houston, TX |
| August 9 | Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre, Phoenix, AZ |
| August 10 | Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, CA |
| August 12 | Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA |
Frequently Asked Questions
When do tickets go on sale?
Citi presale begins January 20 at 10 a.m. local time, with general public sale on January 23 at 10 a.m. local time. Check JohnMellencamp.com for details.
What makes this tour different from his recent shows?
Unlike his recent theater performances with storytelling and new material, this tour focuses on outdoor concerts emphasizing his greatest hits, many not played live in over a decade.
Is there an upcoming album tied to the tour?
Yes, Mellencamp is releasing “Orphan Train” in 2026, his first album since 2023’s “Orpheus Descending.”