Vermont singer-songwriter Noah Kahan brought his The Great Divide Tour to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, August 15, 2026. The concert drew a crowd of over 56,000 fans and marked Kahan’s biggest-ever headlining show. Kahan opened the night with his hit single ‘American Cars’ and performed 27 songs during the two-and-a-half-hour set.
The show included moments where Kahan moved into the crowd during a performance of ‘Haircut’, interacting with his band and audience, according to The Orange County Register. After a performance of ‘Dan,’ Kahan brought out his opening act Gigi Perez for ‘She Calls Back.’ Later in the set, Kahan referenced his early days playing at the Troubadour and said he once thought that venue would be the peak of his career, according to a report from Billboard.
He then received a phone call on stage, which he answered with a laugh before inviting Chappell Roan to join him. Roan walked out to the stage, and the two performed her song ‘California’ together, Rolling Stone reported. The song was chosen because it holds special meaning in their friendship, and Kahan said it was the first song he ever heard of Roan’s.
Roan shared that she deeply appreciates Kahan’s support and said he always stands up for her. The duet featured Roan singing a cappella before Kahan joined in with acoustic guitar. The performance of ‘California’ was one of the highlights of the evening and a moment that fans were excited to witness.
Kahan’s set also included songs from his latest album, The Great Divide, which spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The night also featured a number of other tracks from his earlier work, including ‘Dial Drunk’ and ‘Northern Attitude.’ Kahan’s tour continues with a stop at San Diego’s Petco Park on Monday (Aug. 17).
The North American leg of the tour concludes on August 31 in Seattle at T-Mobile Park. Meanwhile, Chappell Roan is scheduled to perform at Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields in Irvine on August 29. She will also headline the Super Graphic Spectacular at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on October 21 and 22.
The Rose Bowl show was a celebration of Kahan’s journey from small venues to major headlining performances. He reflected on how fast his career has grown, noting that he once dreamed of just playing at the Troubadour. The stage design was simple yet evocative, featuring a rustic farmhouse backdrop and a gas pump with a parked car.
The atmosphere was emotional and uplifting, with fans singing along to Kahan’s songs about loss and love. Kahan’s performance brought out a sense of connection between the artist and his audience, even in a massive stadium. The night ended with a powerful reminder of Kahan’s growth and the deep impact his music has on fans.
IMAGE: Noah Kahan performing in Edmonton, Canada. Photo: u/no_thoughts_kurapika / Wikimedia, taken 2024-03-29, CC BY 4.0