You’ve seen the videos. That frantic, finger-picked acoustic solo on "Big Love" where he looks like he’s wrestling a demon and winning. For decades, seeing Lindsey Buckingham on tour was a rite of passage for anyone who worshipped at the altar of California rock. But lately, things have felt... different. Quiet.
If you’re waiting for a Ticketmaster alert to pop up with a 40-city stadium run, you might want to sit down. Honestly, the landscape of a Buckingham tour in 2026 isn't what it was during the Rumours heyday, or even the Seeds We Sow era. It’s more personal now. It’s also a bit of a waiting game.
The Reality of Seeing Lindsey Buckingham Live Right Now
Last November, Lindsey dropped a bit of a bombshell on social media. He didn't announce a tour—not yet—but he confirmed he’s finishing a new solo album. He called it the "culmination of everything I’ve learned over the last 25 years."
That’s big.
Usually, in the Buckingham cycle, a new record means a tour follows. But here’s the thing: Lindsey isn't 30 anymore. He’s 76. After his open-heart surgery in 2019 and some subsequent vocal cord issues that forced him to scrap European dates in 2022, he’s being incredibly selective.
We aren't looking at a "Go Your Own Way" marathon across five continents. If and when the Lindsey Buckingham on tour dates for 2026 materialize, expect them to look like this:
- Intimate theaters (think 1,500 to 3,000 seats).
- Limited "residency" style runs in major hubs like L.A., Nashville, or London.
- A setlist that leans heavily into his intricate solo work rather than just the Fleetwood Mac hits.
He’s always been an artist who values the "small machine" over the big spectacle. He likes the sound of his fingers on the strings to be the loudest thing in the room.
Why Everyone Still Obsesses Over the Setlist
People go to these shows for the "Big Three" Mac songs—"Go Your Own Way," "Tusk," and "I’m So Afraid"—but they stay for the weird stuff.
Lindsey is a bit of a mad scientist. On his last few solo runs, he’s been known to play "Trouble" with just an acoustic guitar, turning a breezy 80s hit into something haunting. He also loves to throw in deep cuts from Buckingham Nicks.
Wait, did he actually bury the hatchet with Mick Fleetwood? Yeah, actually. They were spotted in the studio together recently. While a full Fleetwood Mac reunion is off the table following the heartbreaking loss of Christine McVie, the fact that Lindsey is working with Mick again suggests that his upcoming live shows might feature some very special guests.
📖 Related: Pirates of the Caribbean 5 Cast: The Real Story Behind the Faces of Dead Men Tell No Tales
Imagine a 2026 show where Mick sits in on "World Turning." It’s not just a possibility; it’s looking more likely than it has in a decade.
The Health Question: Can He Still Shred?
It’s the elephant in the room. After the 2019 surgery, there was a real fear he’d never sing again because of the intubation damage to his vocal cords.
I’ll be honest: his voice has aged. It’s got more grit. It’s thinner in the upper register. But his guitar playing? If anything, it’s gotten faster and more percussive. He doesn't use a pick—never has. He snaps the strings. He uses his fingernails to create a sound that most guitarists can't replicate with a pedalboard worth five grand.
In a live setting, that raw energy is still there. He still does that thing where he stalks the edge of the stage, glaring at the front row while he rips through a five-minute solo on "I'm So Afraid." It’s intense. It’s a little scary. It’s exactly why we love him.
What Most People Get Wrong About a Buckingham Show
The biggest misconception is that you’re going to see a "Fleetwood Mac Lite" performance. If you go in expecting a singalong of "Don't Stop," you might be disappointed.
Lindsey’s solo tours are about the art. He spends a lot of time on tracks from his self-titled 2021 album or Under the Skin. He wants you to hear the arrangements. He wants you to see the technical difficulty of what he’s doing.
Basically, it’s a guitar clinic masquerading as a rock concert.
Recent Setlist Staples (Based on 2022-2025 appearances)
- Not Too Late – A solo masterpiece that shows off his fingerstyle technique.
- In Our Own Time – High energy, very "Tusk"-esque.
- Big Love – The solo version that makes your own hands hurt just watching it.
- Shut Us Down – One of his best solo tracks, period.
- Go Your Own Way – Usually the closer, and usually twice as fast as the record.
How to Actually Get Tickets in 2026
When the Lindsey Buckingham on tour announcement finally hits—and it will likely be tied to the release of this "culmination" album—you have to move fast.
Because he plays smaller venues, these shows sell out in minutes. We aren't talking about "dynamic pricing" for 50,000 seats. We’re talking about limited tickets for a guy who has a very dedicated, very loyal fanbase.
- Sign up for the mailing list. I know, it sounds old school, but his official site is where the presale codes actually go out first.
- Check the "Intimate Evening" dates. Sometimes he does one-off charity gigs or private venue shows that aren't advertised on the big ticket sites.
- Don't buy from scalpers early. Wait for the official rollout. Lindsey’s team has historically been pretty good about trying to keep prices somewhat reasonable for the real fans.
The "End of an Era" Feeling
There’s a sense of finality in the way Lindsey is talking about his new music. He’s calling it a "culmination." He’s talking about "holding the line ethically."
It feels like this might be his victory lap.
If you have the chance to see him on this upcoming cycle, take it. There aren't many people left who play like him. There aren't many people who can command a room with just a Turner Model 1 guitar and a lot of pent-up emotion.
Whether he’s playing a theater in Des Moines or a residency in London, a Lindsey Buckingham show is a reminder of what happens when a perfectionist finally lets go and just plays.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Bookmark his official website. The 2026 tour rumors are gaining steam following his studio sessions with Mick Fleetwood.
- Listen to the 2021 self-titled album. It’s the best indicator of what his current touring band (if he brings one) will sound like.
- Set a Google Alert for "Lindsey Buckingham Tour Dates." Announcements for solo artists of his stature often happen on Tuesday mornings with very little lead time.
- Watch the 'Songs from the Small Machine' live DVD. If you want to know what the vibe of a solo Buckingham tour is like versus a Fleetwood Mac tour, this is the definitive document.