At 76, most musicians are winding down their road schedules. Bonnie Raitt is mapping out her most Canadian-heavy tour in years. The blues-rock icon’s 2026 North American dates prioritize markets north of the border in ways that would make most booking agents nervous.
Starting May 28 in Spokane, Washington, her itinerary quickly pivots to an ambitious Canadian leg that reads like a geography lesson—Vancouver to Winnipeg, with stops hitting every major prairie city along the way.
Jon Cleary Brings New Orleans Heat to Prairie Shows
The renowned pianist’s collaboration with Raitt transforms Canadian dates into something special.
Jon Cleary’s presence as special guest for all Canadian shows signals serious musical intent. The New Orleans funk master and longtime Raitt collaborator brings piano-driven groove that complements her slide guitar mastery perfectly.
Their recorded work together demonstrates chemistry that elevates both artists beyond their individual strengths. U.S. dates still list “special guest TBA,” leaving American audiences guessing while Canadian fans get the premium package. Venues like Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre and Calgary’s Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium will showcase this musical marriage at its finest.
Sobriety and Self-Care Fuel Continued Road Warrior Status
Raitt credits 38 years clean and wellness practices for her ability to maintain grueling tour schedules.
The Americana legend attributes her touring longevity to more than just musical passion. Her 38-year sobriety milestone, combined with dedicated exercise and self-care routines, enables the kind of extensive travel that crushes veteran artists half her age.
This isn’t just feel-good wellness talk—it’s practical career strategy. When global uncertainty and touring stress could derail anyone, Raitt’s commitment to presence and emotional balance becomes her competitive edge. The June 27 Winnipeg finale caps nearly a month of cross-continental travel that would exhaust musicians decades younger.
Legacy Touring Meets Strategic Market Focus
This Canadian emphasis reflects smart audience cultivation rather than random routing.
Ticket details remain forthcoming through official channels, but the routing reveals calculated respect for underserved markets. Canadian audiences often get treated as World Tour afterthoughts—a few Toronto and Vancouver stops if they’re lucky.
Raitt’s extended northern commitment suggests she’s identified passionate fanbases worth cultivating. At this career stage, every tour could be significant. Making Canadian audiences a priority rather than a footnote shows an artist still thinking strategically about connection over convenience.
