The live entertainment industry gathered in full force as the 37th Annual Pollstar Awards delivered one of the most competitive and culturally charged nights in the event’s storied history. From hip-hop heavyweights to R&B royalty, the evening served as a declaration that the concert business is not only thriving but evolving at a breathtaking pace.
Kendrick Lamar and SZA honored for Hip-Hop Tour of the Year
Kendrick Lamar and SZA took home Hip-Hop Tour of the Year for the Grand National Tour, a run that fused Lamar’s commanding lyricism with SZA’s expansive sonic world into one of the most artistically ambitious productions in recent memory. The tour was not merely a concert experience; it was a statement.
The competition reflected the genre’s sprawling vitality. NBA YoungBoy brought raw energy with Make America Slime Again. Nelly reminded fans why Where the Party At still resonates across generations. The Millennium 2025 Tour united Trey Songz, Omarion, and Bow Wow in a nostalgia-fueled celebration that drew massive crowds across markets. Tyler, The Creator’s CHROMAKOPIA Tour reinforced his reputation as one of the most visionary performers working in any genre. And Wu-Tang Clan’s Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chapter served as both a tribute and a powerful farewell to an era, reminding the industry what it means to leave everything on the stage.
The Weeknd claims R&B Tour of the Year
The Weeknd secured R&B Tour of the Year for After Hours Til Dawn, a production widely regarded as one of the most visually spectacular touring shows of the modern era. The immersive staging, combined with the Toronto native’s genre-defining catalog, delivered an experience that left critics and fans alike searching for superlatives.
The nominees in the R&B category represented the full spectrum of the genre’s power and legacy. Brandy and Monica’s The Boy Is Mine Tour reignited one of music’s most celebrated rivalries into a full celebration of sisterhood and vocal excellence. Chris Brown’s Breezy Bowl demonstrated his continued command of stadium-scale entertainment. The Queens Tour, featuring Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, and Stephanie Mills, was a once-in-a-generation gathering of vocal icons that drew standing ovations in city after city. Leon Thomas brought something fresh and deeply soulful with Mutts Don’t Heel, earning new admirers along the way. Mary J. Blige’s For My Fans Tour was a love letter to the listeners who have carried her through decades of triumphs and trials.
Oasis triumphs in Tour of the Year’s most contested race in years
In what many insiders had anticipated as the evening’s most heated competition, Oasis claimed the night’s most coveted honor, winning Major Tour of the Year for Oasis Live 25. The victory marked a monumental moment for the legendary British rock outfit, whose reunion sent shockwaves across the global touring industry and proved that the appetite for legacy acts has never been stronger.
The field was nothing short of extraordinary. Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour brought country-infused spectacle to arenas and stadiums worldwide. Billie Eilish delivered a critically lauded run with Hit Me Hard and Soft. Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s Grand National Tour was a cultural phenomenon that transcended genre. Sabrina Carpenter’s Soft N Sweet Tour cemented her status as one of pop’s most bankable live draws, while Tate McRae’s Miss Possessive Tour proved the Canadian star’s undeniable ascent. Against that extraordinary field, Oasis Live 25 stood alone as a testament to decades of anthems and an audience that never stopped waiting.
An industry night that reflected a touring renaissance
The 37th Annual Pollstar Awards made one thing abundantly clear: live entertainment is experiencing a renaissance defined by ambition, diversity, and an unrelenting demand from audiences hungry for shared experience. Whether it was a Gallagher brothers reunion drawing millions or two rap titans sharing a grand stage, the night honored an industry that continues to push beyond limits.
The Pollstar Awards remain the gold standard for recognizing excellence in the concert and touring business, and the 37th edition raised that standard even higher.