What to expect at a Miley Cyrus concert: Setlist, start time, merch, and more

Welcome to SeatGeek Front Row, where SeatGeek employees share their best tips for getting the most out of live events. For this edition, Dharani Paramasivam, SEO Analyst of Growth Marketing, takes you inside Miley Cyrus' October 16 show at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, breaking down everything fans need to know, from the setlist and start time to merch, surprise guests, and tips for attending a concert at the iconic venue.

It's been a long time since fans have had the chance to see Miley Cyrus take the stage for a major headlining concert, and her October 16 performance at the Hollywood Bowl was well worth the wait.

Celebrating the release of her 10th studio album, Bass Persuades, and her first album under the single name "Miley," the show marked one of Miley's first major headlining performances since 2022 and her first time performing at the legendary Los Angeles venue.

Between surprise guests, emotional tributes, powerful vocals, and a setlist that blended her new music with some of her biggest hits, Miley showed up to put on a show, and she delivered.

Here's everything you need to know about seeing Miley Cyrus live, including what time she comes on stage, the setlist she performed, what fans were wearing and a few things I wish I'd known before attending.

What was the Miley concert actually like at the Hollywood Bowl?

If there's one thing that really stood out to me about the night, it was how thrilled her fans were to have her back on stage.

While the music was incredible, some of the most memorable moments happened between songs.

Throughout the night, Miley shared personal stories and reflected on the people and moments that have shaped her career, making the show feel surprisingly intimate despite the size of the venue.

From the first song to the final note, Miley gave fans her all, and it was everything that I hoped it would be and more.

Who opened for Miley at the Hollywood Bowl?

American post-punk and dance-punk band Model/Actriz opened Miley's October 16 show, taking the stage around 7:30 p.m. for a roughly 30-minute set.

If you haven't listened to Model/Actriz before, their sound leans heavily into punk, industrial, and experimental rock.

But the connection between Model/Actriz and Miley runs deeper than you might think. The band collaborated with Miley on Bass Persuades, appearing on the track "Different Religion," and the band's frontman, Cole Haden, also co-wrote "Prelude," the opening track from Miley's Something Beautiful album.

By the time Model/Actriz began performing, the Hollywood Bowl was already about three-quarters full, with fans continuing to make their way to their seats.

Model/Actriz later returned to the stage to join Miley for a performance of "Different Religion" during Miley's main set, bringing their musical collaboration to life.

What time did Miley go on stage?

For the October 16 show, Miley took the stage at approximately 8:30 p.m. following a 30-minute intermission after the opener set.

I arrived around 6:05 p.m., just after doors opened, and the venue was already incredibly busy. Fortunately, security moved quickly, and I was inside within about 10 minutes.

My recommendation would be to arrive before doors open if possible. That gives you extra time to explore the venue, grab food and merch, and find your seat without rushing or stressing.

Keep in mind that these times are specific to the October 16 Hollywood Bowl performance and may vary at other shows or venues.

How long was Miley’s concert at the Hollywood Bowl?

Miley performed for approximately one hour and 45 minutes, beginning around 8:30 p.m. and wrapping up at approximately 10:15 p.m.

Her main set lasted about 90 minutes, followed by a 10- to 15-minute encore featuring "Let's Get Married" and "Flowers."

With the opener and Miley’s full performance, the concert lasted roughly two hours and 45 minutes from the first act to the final song.

With so many of her classics packed into the end of the show, I'd recommend staying until the very last song.

Here's how the night unfolded:

What songs did Miley play? What was the setlist?

Miley's October 16 setlist featured 18 songs, blending tracks from Bass Persuades with some of her biggest hits.

The show opened with a run of newer songs, with the second half leaning more into old fan favorites.

Here was the full Miley setlist from October 16 at the Hollywood Bowl:

Main set

1. Orbit

2. Different Religion (with Model/Actriz)

3. Bass Persuades (including elements of 'Bass Persuades Remixx')

4. Handstand

5. Something Beautiful

6. Jolene (Dolly Parton cover)

7. Walk of Fame

8. REDLIGHTS

9. Do You Realize?? (with Wayne Coyne)

10. Karen Don't Be Sad (with Wayne Coyne)

11. We Can't Stop

12. Wrecking Ball

13. Snow

14. Used to Be Young

15. The Climb

16. Party in the U.S.A.

Encore

17. Let's Get Married (with Maxx Morando)

18. Flowers

The balance of newer songs and older hits was one of my favorite parts of the concert. Whether you've followed Miley since her early Disney days or are a more recent fan, there was something for everyone.

Were there any surprise guests, covers, or special tributes?

Oh yes! One of the biggest highlights of the Hollywood Bowl performance was the number of personal moments and special guest appearances included in the set.

Miley's tribute to Dolly Parton

One of the most emotional moments came when Miley performed Dolly Parton's "Jolene" as a tribute to her late godmother.

The performance was especially powerful.

The video screen behind the stage featured special visuals during the tribute, creating one of the night's most moving moments.

It was a reminder of just how personal the evening was for Miley, beyond celebrating the release of a new album.

Wayne Coyne joined Miley on stage

Another surprise came when Wayne Coyne, frontman of The Flaming Lips, joined Miley for performances of "Do You Realize??" and "Karen Don't Be Sad."

The latter was particularly notable, marking the song's return to her live setlist for the first time since 2015.

Miley even changed into a suit to match Coyne during their performance, adding another memorable moment to the collaboration.

Appearance by Maxx Morando for the encore

The surprises continued into the encore when Miley's fiancé, Maxx Morando, joined her on stage for "Let's Get Married."

She then closed out the night with "Flowers," delivering a raw, emotional finish to an already unforgettable performance.

What was Miley’s stage setup and production like?

Miley kept the stage layout relatively simple, using the Hollywood Bowl's traditional setup. But what the production lacked in elaborate staging, it more than made up for with costume changes and creative elements inspired by the Bass Persuades aesthetic.

A large video screen behind the stage played a major role throughout the night, featuring a mix of pre-recorded footage and visuals of Miley that accompanied the music and performances.

Miley also made several costume changes throughout the show, with each look reflecting the show's different moods.

Rather than relying on elaborate staging throughout the show, Miley let her vocals and storytelling really come through.

I was genuinely blown away by how incredible her vocals were live. This was my first time seeing her perform in person, and her voice was easily one of the night's biggest highlights.

Was there merch at Miley’s Hollywood Bowl concert?

Absolutely, and there were plenty of options to choose from!

The merch selection included two event tees (one white and one red) at $50 each, a black hoodie at $95, a tote bag at $40, and a poster at $45. For fans looking to splurge, there was also a $325 bomber jacket. So, whether you wanted a simple concert souvenir or something a little more substantial, prices ranged from about $40 to $325.

Here's my advice. Skip the merch lines outside the venue and wait until you're through security. The lines inside were significantly shorter, making it much easier to grab what you wanted without spending half your evening waiting around.

Another surprisingly good time to shop? After the show, I noticed that the merch lines had thinned out considerably by the time Miley wrapped up her encore, and it took me only about 10 minutes to reach the front.

There is one catch, though. Some of the more popular items had already sold out by then, including the red event tee. So, if you've got your heart set on a specific piece of merch, I'd recommend shopping inside the venue before the show rather than taking your chances at the end of the night.

What are the best seats for a Miley concert at the Hollywood Bowl?

For Miley's October 16 performance, I sat in Section G1, Row 5, Seat 17.

Most of the concert took place on the Hollywood Bowl's main stage, with Miley performing toward the audience while the large video screen displayed visuals behind her.

However, she also made her way into the middle section of the venue at one point during the show, giving fans seated farther back a chance to see her closer up.

One thing I'd recommend paying attention to is where your seats are relative to the stage and production equipment.

I'd be cautious about seats directly behind the audio mixing booth, particularly the first row immediately behind it. The equipment can partially obstruct your view, making it harder to see the entire stage and the production.

Fans in that row also tended to remain seated for most of the show, seemingly to avoid blocking the people behind them. So, if you're someone who likes to stand up and dance throughout a concert, that's something worth considering.

My biggest seating tip is to look at the full stage setup and potential obstructions rather than choosing seats based on proximity alone.

You can explore the Hollywood Bowl seating chart on SeatGeek to compare available sections and get a better idea of where you'll be sitting.

What to know before attending a Miley concert

Beyond the music itself, there are a few things worth knowing before attending a Miley Cyrus concert, especially if you're seeing her at a large outdoor venue like the Hollywood Bowl.

Here are some of my biggest takeaways.

What should you wear to a Miley concert?

If you're wondering what to wear to a Miley Cyrus concert, the Hollywood Bowl crowd offered plenty of inspiration.

Many fans leaned into the Bass Persuades vibe, with outfits inspired by a photo Miley had shared on Instagram ahead of the shows.

All-black outfits were a popular choice as well, and fitting for the new era, which is what I chose to wear.

Other fans embraced Miley's country roots with cowgirl-inspired looks, while longtime fans showed up wearing merch from her older tours.

There wasn't one specific dress code, which made it fun to see how everyone played into Miley's different musical eras.

Is a Miley concert kid-friendly?

Based on the October 16 performance, I'd say Miley's concerts are generally better suited for older kids and teenagers rather than younger children.

While the setlist included plenty of familiar songs that longtime fans have grown up listening to, there was also some explicit language throughout the performance.

Parents considering bringing their kids should keep that in mind when deciding whether the show is a good fit.

Is a Miley concert worth it?

Seeing Miley live in concert is absolutely worth it.

As someone attending her concert for the first time, I went in excited to hear the songs I'd grown up listening to, but I left equally impressed by her newer music and how naturally it fit alongside her biggest hits.

Her vocals are incredible, the surprise appearances made the night feel even more special, and the personal stories she shared with the audience added an emotional element that you don't always get at a large concert or from an artist that big.

After several years without any major headlining performances, the excitement in the crowd made it clear just how much fans had missed seeing her on stage.

If you get the opportunity to see Miley Cyrus live, I'd highly recommend it.

What to know about going to a concert at the Hollywood Bowl

The Hollywood Bowl is one of Los Angeles' most iconic outdoor concert venues, but attending a show there comes with a few things worth planning ahead for.

Between the crowds, the policies, and getting to the venue, a little preparation can make a big difference. Here are my biggest tips.

Plan to arrive early

I arrived around 6:05 p.m., just after doors opened, and the venue was already packed. The busiest areas were outside security, where the longest merch lines were.

Although getting through security took only about 10 minutes, I'd recommend arriving before doors open to beat the crowds. And unless you're absolutely set on buying merch beforehand, skip those outdoor lines. The merch stands past security had significantly shorter waits.

What can you bring into the Hollywood Bowl?

One of my favorite things about the Hollywood Bowl is that you can bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages, subject to the venue's event-specific rules. After seeing how busy the food stands were, I really wish I'd taken advantage of that.

There are plenty of places to grab a bite inside, but the lines can build quickly, especially before the show. Bringing your own food is a great way to save money and spend less time waiting around the venue.

If you're planning to picnic before the show, claim your spot early! The Hollywood Bowl has a few designated picnic areas throughout the grounds, but they can fill up fast, especially for popular concerts. Arriving early gives you a better chance of finding a spot to enjoy your food before heading to your seat.

As always, be sure to double-check the venue's policies before your show, since food, beverage, and other restrictions can vary by event.

What’s the Hollywood Bowl bag policy?

Clear bags weren't required for this show, which made it easier to bring personal items, food, or picnic supplies.

Bags, backpacks, coolers, and picnic baskets could not exceed 15 inches wide, 15 inches high, or 22 inches long.

I noticed that tote bags were particularly popular among fans, likely because they're an easy way to carry food and other essentials.

Always double-check the venue's latest bag restrictions before attending.

Are the seats at the Hollywood Bowl comfortable?

One thing I'd definitely recommend is renting a seat cushion! Many of the Hollywood Bowl's seating sections have benches, which aren't always the most comfortable for a long concert. Luckily, seat cushions are available to rent at the venue, and they're well worth it if you'll be sitting on a bench for a few hours.

How should I get to the Hollywood Bowl?

First, give yourself plenty of time to get there. Los Angeles traffic is no joke, especially when thousands of fans are heading to the same venue.

I took an Uber from West LA, and while traffic was pretty heavy, I'd definitely do it again. It was a convenient way to get to the venue without worrying about parking. Rideshare drop-offs were directed to Lot C, so that's where I started my evening.

As for leaving, getting out of the venue was relatively painless. It took about 15 minutes to make my way out and head home, which wasn't bad considering the size of the crowd.

How to buy Miley Cyrus tickets on SeatGeek

Head over to the Miley Cyrus page on SeatGeek to check her concert schedule and see all upcoming shows.

Once you’ve found a show date that works for you, select how many tickets you want, choose a seat using the interactive seating map, and make sure you’re getting the best value by checking the Deal Score. Once you’re happy with your selection, you can complete your purchase without any hidden fees or surprises with all-in transparent pricing.

With SeatGeek’s Buyer Guarantee, you can buy tickets with confidence knowing that all eligible purchases are covered if a qualifying issue arises.

Now all that’s left to do is brush up on the lyrics to all your favorite Miley songs and get ready to be blown away by her live performance and vocals.

Dharani Paramasivam is on SeatGeek's Growth Marketing team, helping fans discover unforgettable live experiences. Based in Los Angeles, she's always on the hunt for her next concert and any excuse to sing her heart out. From nostalgic throwbacks to new favorites, she loves chasing the thrill of seeing her favorite artists take the stage. Recent shows include Miley Cyrus at the Hollywood Bowl, Ed Sheeran, and Taylor Swift's Eras Tour.