When health issues sideline guitar legends, comeback tours become more than nostalgia tripsโthey’re celebrations of resilience. Brian Setzer’s recovery from an autoimmune disease now enables Stray Cats’ most anticipated tour announcement in years, with fall 2025 dates proving that rockabilly’s founding fathers aren’t done schooling younger acts on stage presence.
The tour launches October 25 in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, running through November 30 across North American amphitheaters and major venues. Fan club members get first crack at tickets July 29 at 10 AM local time, followed by general public sales August 1. Smart money says these dates will move fastโSetzer’s health scare reminded everyone that rock legends aren’t immortal.
Confirmed stops include Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, Minnesota’s Bluestem Amphitheater, Colorado’s Mission Ballroom, Utah’s Red Butte Garden, Connecticut’s Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater, and New York’s Artpark Outdoor Amphitheater. The original lineup remains intact: Setzer’s guitar wizardry, Lee Rocker‘s thunderous upright bass, and Slim Jim Phantom’s minimalist drumming approach that spawned countless imitators.
Expect the hits that defined 1980s rockabilly revival: “Stray Cat Strut,” “Rock This Town,” “Runaway Boys,” and “Rumble in Brighton.” These aren’t museum piecesโthey’re songs that still make teenagers discover vintage guitars and convince parents that pompadours weren’t entirely ridiculous.
The venue selection tells its own story. While many legacy acts retreat to casinos and theaters, Stray Cats chose amphitheaters that accommodate both devoted fans and curious newcomers discovering the band through streaming algorithms. That’s confidence in their material’s enduring power.
This tour bridges generations in ways few reunions manage. Original fans who bought vinyl in 1982 will share lawn seats with kids who found the band through TikTok rockabilly revival videos. Setzer’s recovery ensures this isn’t a farewell.