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Brandi Carlile brings The Human Tour to two of upstate New York's most celebrated outdoor amphitheaters in August 2026. On August 16, she performs at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, NY — the historic site of the 1969 Woodstock festival — with rising singer-songwriter Jensen McRae opening the evening. Four nights later on August 20, the tour moves northeast to CMAC (Constellation Brands–Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center) in Canandaigua, NY, deep in the heart of the Finger Lakes wine country, where Grammy-winning folk trio I'm With Her joins the bill as the special guest. Both dates are part of the summer amphitheater leg of The Human Tour, supporting Carlile's critically acclaimed album Returning to Myself, which debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200 following its October 2025 release on Interscope Records and has been hailed by reviewers as one of her most personal and ambitious works to date.
These two shows offer distinctly different experiences united by world-class music performed under open skies. Bethel Woods seats 16,000 across its covered pavilion and sweeping hillside lawn — the same natural bowl where half a million people gathered for the original Woodstock festival more than five decades ago. The venue sits in the rolling Catskills countryside of Sullivan County, surrounded by forests and farmland, with a museum dedicated to the 1960s counterculture right on the grounds. Concertgoers often arrive early to explore the exhibits and walk the historic field before the music begins, making it a full-day cultural pilgrimage. CMAC, meanwhile, holds 15,000 on the campus of Finger Lakes Community College just outside Canandaigua, with views stretching toward the vineyards and glacial lakes that define the region. Following a thirteen-million-dollar renovation, CMAC features upgraded covered seating, state-of-the-art acoustics, and fifty-four luxury booths that make it one of the premier amphitheaters in the entire Northeast. The venue also serves as the summer home of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, underscoring its dedication to musical excellence across genres and seasons.
Carlile's eleven Grammy Awards and twenty-eight nominations place her among the most decorated artists of her generation, and The Human Tour has drawn widespread critical praise for its emotional depth and sweeping musical range. Her live performances with longtime collaborators Phil and Tim Hanseroth — the twin brothers who have anchored her band since the early days in Seattle — are celebrated for their raw power and intimate connection with audiences of every size. Whether you choose the storied hillside of Bethel Woods or the vineyard-ringed setting of CMAC, these upstate New York dates promise a singular summer evening of music, memory, and shared emotion beneath the August sky.
Tickets for both August shows are available through BigStub, a trusted third-party resale marketplace with over twenty years of experience, verified sellers, no hidden fees, and a buyer guarantee backed by dedicated customer service. Secure your verified seats today and experience one of the defining voices of modern Americana live under the open skies of New York State.
Few concert experiences rival hearing a generational voice like Brandi Carlile's ring out across an open-air amphitheater at dusk. In August 2026, New York concertgoers get two chances to witness exactly that as The Human Tour winds through the state's most iconic outdoor stages. The tour takes its name and spirit from Returning to Myself, an album that confronts themes of identity, motherhood, and resilience with the unflinching honesty that has defined Carlile's career since she first emerged from the Pacific Northwest folk scene in the mid-2000s. Produced by Dave Cobb — her longtime creative partner who also helmed By the Way, I Forgive You and In These Silent Days — the record carries a warmth and lived-in quality that translates powerfully to the stage.
The August 16 stop at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, NY, carries a weight of history that no other venue on the tour can match. Built on the very hillside where the 1969 Woodstock festival unfolded, Bethel Woods has hosted some of the biggest names in music since its pavilion opened in 2006. The 16,000-capacity amphitheater — featuring 4,500 covered seats and a sprawling lawn section sculpted by the natural terrain — preserves the spirit of communal outdoor gathering that made its predecessor legendary. An on-site museum chronicles the social upheaval of the 1960s, connecting past and present for visitors who come not just for a concert but for a piece of cultural heritage. Jensen McRae, the Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter whose sharp-witted lyricism and soulful delivery have earned comparisons to early Joni Mitchell, opens the evening.
Four nights later the tour arrives at CMAC in Canandaigua, NY, the Finger Lakes region's premier outdoor concert destination. Originally opened in 1983 as the Finger Lakes Performing Arts Center, CMAC underwent a transformative thirteen-million-dollar renovation in 2005–06 that added luxury booths, enhanced acoustics, and expanded its capacity to 15,000 across covered and lawn seating. Located on the campus of Finger Lakes Community College and surrounded by some of New York's most celebrated wine trails, CMAC attracts fans who pair concerts with vineyard tours, lakeside dining, and weekends exploring the Finger Lakes' small-town charm. The special guest for the Canandaigua date is I'm With Her, the bluegrass-inflected supergroup of Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aoife O'Donovan, whose harmonies and instrumental mastery make them a natural complement to Carlile's Americana roots.
Carlile's catalog spans eight studio albums and more than two decades of relentless touring, but the past several years have elevated her from beloved cult artist to mainstream cultural force. By the Way, I Forgive You (2018) won three Grammy Awards including Song of the Year for "The Joke," In These Silent Days (2022) captured four more including Album of the Year, and she received an Academy Award nomination alongside Elton John and Bernie Taupin for the film Rocketman. In 2026 she was named one of TIME's Women of the Year. Beyond the music, Carlile's Looking Out Foundation has raised millions for causes ranging from criminal justice reform to disaster relief, reflecting the empathy that permeates both her songwriting and her stage presence.
With two distinct venues separated by roughly 200 miles of rolling New York countryside, these upstate dates offer flexible options for fans across the Northeast. Bethel Woods draws from the New York City metro, northern New Jersey, and the Hudson Valley, while CMAC is a natural destination for concertgoers in Rochester, Syracuse, Buffalo, and the broader Finger Lakes corridor. Both shows carry a 7 p.m. start time, leaving ample daylight for pre-show exploration of each venue's surrounding attractions — from Bethel's Catskills hiking trails to Canandaigua's lakefront parks and tasting rooms.
Tickets may be available through the venue box offices and authorized primary sellers such as Ticketmaster. You can also check the Bethel Woods and CMAC websites for direct sale links and presale information. Verified resale tickets for both dates are available on BigStub, a trusted third-party marketplace with no hidden fees and a buyer guarantee.
Brandi Carlile performs at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, NY, on August 16, 2026, with Jensen McRae as the opening act. She then plays CMAC in Canandaigua, NY, on August 20, 2026, with I'm With Her as the special guest. Both shows are evening performances as part of The Human Tour's summer amphitheater run.
Bethel Woods is located at 200 Hurd Road in Bethel, NY, about 90 miles northwest of New York City. The venue has 4,500 covered pavilion seats and lawn space for more than 10,000 additional guests. On-site parking is available, and the grounds include the Museum at Bethel Woods, which is worth visiting before the show. Lawn chairs and small blankets are generally permitted — check the venue website for the latest entry policies.
CMAC is located at 3355 Marvin Sands Drive in Canandaigua, NY, roughly 30 miles southeast of Rochester. The amphitheater holds 5,000 in covered seating and 10,000 on the lawn, with 54 luxury booths also available. The Finger Lakes region offers abundant lodging, wineries, and restaurants within a short drive of the venue, making it a popular weekend getaway destination for concertgoers from across western and central New York.
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The Human Tour is Brandi Carlile's 2026 concert tour in support of her album Returning to Myself, released in October 2025. The tour includes arena dates in early 2026 and a summer amphitheater leg running from August through September, with rotating special guests at each stop.
Jensen McRae opens the August 16 show at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. McRae is a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter known for her vivid storytelling and soulful vocal style, drawing from folk, R&B, and indie pop traditions.
I'm With Her — the trio of Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aoife O'Donovan — is the special guest for the August 20 show at CMAC in Canandaigua. The Grammy-winning group blends bluegrass, folk, and chamber pop into a sound that pairs naturally with Carlile's Americana catalog.
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is at 200 Hurd Road in Bethel, NY, in Sullivan County. It sits on the historic site of the 1969 Woodstock festival, approximately 90 miles northwest of New York City in the Catskills region.
CMAC is at 3355 Marvin Sands Drive in Canandaigua, NY, on the campus of Finger Lakes Community College. It is about 30 miles southeast of Rochester and sits in the scenic Finger Lakes wine region.
Bethel Woods holds approximately 16,000 people, with 4,500 covered pavilion seats and lawn seating for over 10,000. CMAC has a capacity of about 15,000, with 5,000 covered seats, 10,000 lawn spots, and 54 luxury booths.
Both venues generally allow low-profile lawn chairs and blankets in their lawn sections. Policies can vary by event, so check the Bethel Woods or CMAC website before attending for the most current entry guidelines and prohibited items lists.
Returning to Myself is Brandi Carlile's eighth studio album, released in October 2025 on Interscope Records. Produced by Dave Cobb, the album debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200 and explores themes of identity, family, and personal growth.
Carlile has won eleven Grammy Awards from twenty-eight nominations. Her wins include Song of the Year for The Joke in 2019 and Album of the Year for In These Silent Days in 2023, making her one of the most acclaimed artists in Americana and folk music.
Yes, both venues offer on-site parking. Bethel Woods has large parking areas accessible from Hurd Road, and CMAC has lots on the Finger Lakes Community College campus. Arriving early is recommended for premium spots and to allow time to explore the grounds.
For Bethel Woods, lodging options include hotels and bed-and-breakfasts in Sullivan County, Liberty, and Monticello, as well as Catskills vacation rentals. For CMAC, Canandaigua offers lakefront hotels, and the broader Finger Lakes region has numerous inns, resorts, and vacation rentals within a short drive.
Near Bethel Woods, visitors can explore Catskills hiking trails, the Museum at Bethel Woods, and the region's scenic byways. Near CMAC, the Finger Lakes offer winery tours along the Canandaigua Wine Trail, lake recreation, and charming downtown Canandaigua with its restaurants and shops along Main Street.