Drifter Merch’s blog features news, events, tour dates and vendor spotlights to music and album reviews.
Your Ultimate 2026 Jam Band Summer Guide
Get ready for a high-energy summer of music. The 2026 Summer tour circuit is shaping up to be a legendary run, stretching from MSG to Red Rocks and beyond. Here is your ultimate guide to some of the heavy hitting jam bands going down the road.
1. Phish
Phish are back to turn Summer into a beautiful blur of parking lots, inside jokes, and monster jams.
Don't Miss: Deer Creek on July 10-12, MSG July 22-29 plus Dick’s Labor Day shows.
2. Widespread Panic
It’s a full tour for Panic out West this Summer and the fans are already packing coolers and chasing setlists.
Don't Miss: Jackson Hole on July 5, followed by Montana on the 7th and 8th and the rest of the West Coast run in July.
3. Goose
Goose have officially graduated from breakout act to full-blown touring force, and the 2026 dates prove it.
Don't Miss: MSG dates on June 19-20 and Red Rocks on August 27-28.
4. Billy Strings
Billy Strings is recovering from a skateboard injury now, but with the tour starting in July, the countdown is officially on.
Don't Miss: The Portland, ME run on July 24-25 and Bethel Woods on July 31-August 1.
5. Joe Russo's Almost Dead
JRAD will be bringing enough energy to make even the calmest Dead groove feel like a sprint.
Don't Miss: Stone Pony on August 8 and Mission Ballroom on August 20.
6. Umphrey’s McGee & moe.
This joint tour is basically a summer-long invitation to get delightfully lost in the weeds.
Don't Miss: Their joint summer tour and the return of moe.down on July 16-18.
7. Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
PPPP are back on the summer circuit, still proving that funk can be both infectious and mildly exhausting.
Don't Miss: Their festival circuit plus Northeast summer stops, including Levitate on July 18-19, Flood City on July 24-25, and Domefest on August 6-8.
8. String Cheese Incident
On String Cheese Summer tour, every night unfolds less like a setlist and more like a guided improvisation.
Don't Miss: Colorado mountain shows including Red Rocks July 17-18 and Campout in the Pines on August 14-15.
9. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard pick up in August, where predictability goes to disappear.
Don't Miss: Field of Vision II on August 14-16 and the Forest Hills residency on August 20-22.
10. Eggy
Eggy keep sounding like a band that’s about five minutes away from becoming everybody’s next favorite band.
Don't Miss: Cathead Jam on June 5-6 and Electric Forest on June 25-28.
11. The Disco Biscuits
The Biscuits are still in the business of bending time, space, and your sleep schedule.
Don't Miss: SPAC on July 3, Atlantic City on July 4, and King of Prussia on July 25-26.
Summer 2026 is about more than just the music as it’s also about the adventure. It’s about the long drives, the lot hangs, and the feeling of community you only get when the lights go down and the first note hits. Whether you’re looking for lot shirts, custom band merchandise, or just a new favorite hat to keep the sun off your face, we’ve got you covered. Check out our On the Road page and look for our blue tent at concerts and festivals across the country. Come say hello, share a story about your favorite show, and grab some gear that was made by fans, for fans.
Anyone ready for Spring Tour?
While Winter is here and keeping us frosty, it's not too soon to start thinking about spring music tours. Below you will some of our favorite bands and their Spring tour dates. Who are you looking forward to seeing?
Widespread Panic 12/29/15 at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta
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