What to expect at Sara Bareilles’ The Good Grief Tour: Setlist, start time and more

Sara Bareilles is calling it “The Good Grief Tour,” and yes, you may want to bring tissues. Just don’t expect to spend the entire night crying into them.

Bareilles opens the show deep inside Good Grief, working through some of the most vulnerable music of her career before gradually changing the temperature in the room.

That shift from grief to joy has quickly become the defining feature of the tour. With the first several shows now complete, we also know much more about what fans can expect, from the setlist and start time to the encore, production and opening-act schedule.

Here’s everything to know before seeing Sara Bareilles on “The Good Grief Tour.”

Ultimate guide to Sara Bareilles’ “The Good Grief Tour”

“The Good Grief Tour” is Sara Bareilles’ 2026 North American tour in support of Good Grief, her seventh studio album and first full-length release since 2019’s Amidst the Chaos.

The 14-track album finds Bareilles working through loss in several forms, with songs that move between heartbreak, anger, reflection and eventually healing. Rather than treating the new record as a small piece of a career-spanning show, Bareilles puts it at the center of the concert.

Sara Bareilles’ remaining “The Good Grief Tour” dates

“The Good Grief Tour” continues through Oct. 19, with stops still ahead in Chicago, Denver, Austin, Los Angeles and several other cities.

The schedule includes added second nights in Houston and San Francisco, plus the three-show Hollywood run. Check the listing for your city before making plans, since event details and availability can change.

Who is opening for Sara Bareilles on “The Good Grief Tour”?

Most stops on “The Good Grief Tour” do not have an opening act. Bareilles has generally taken the stage on her own and performed a full headlining set that runs close to two hours.

Celisse is scheduled to open the Oct. 16 and 17 shows in San Francisco and the Oct. 19 tour finale in Seattle. She’ll bring her powerful, soulful live sound to the final three dates of the run.

For every other stop, do not assume the listed 8 p.m. show time belongs to an opener. Bareilles has typically started not long after the ticketed time, so fans should plan to be in their seats before 8.

What time does Sara Bareilles go on stage?

Most remaining “Good Grief Tour” shows are scheduled for 8 p.m. local time, but Bareilles has generally taken the stage a little later.

Boston started closer to 8:40, while Washington, Toronto and New York were generally in the 8:15 to 8:25 range.

Based on those early shows, 8:15 to 8:30 p.m. is the best estimate for when Bareilles will begin. Still, with no opener at most stops, fans should not count on a delay. Aim to be inside by 7:45 if you want time for security, merchandise or finding your seat.

How long is a Sara Bareilles concert?

Sara Bareilles’ “Good Grief Tour” shows run about two hours.

The first several performances have generally ended between 10:15 and 10:30 p.m., depending on when Bareilles actually takes the stage. That includes the full main set, the mid-show transition and the three-song encore.

For an 8 p.m. show without an opener, expect to be leaving the venue around 10:20 p.m., give or take a few minutes.

Sara Bareilles’ “The Good Grief Tour” setlist

“The Good Grief Tour” has followed a very consistent setlist through its first several shows, with only minor changes and the occasional spontaneous moment.

The concert opens with “Wind Is the Weather” as a taped intro before Bareilles comes out for “Home.” From there, she spends much of the first half inside Good Grief before shifting into older favorites, a Whitney Houston cover and a three-song encore.

The setlist has been stable so far, but Bareilles still leaves room for surprises. In Washington, an audience request led her to sing part of "Say Leave."

Does Sara Bareilles play older hits?

Yes. Fans just have to wait a little while for them.

Bareilles dedicates much of the first half of the show to Good Grief before opening things up with some of the biggest songs from her catalog. “Gravity,” “Love Song,” “Uncharted,” “King of Anything,” “Brave” and “She Used to Be Mine” have all appeared consistently on the tour so far.

The older material also feels like part of the show’s larger progression rather than a separate greatest-hits block. By the time Bareilles reaches “Love Song” and “Brave,” the mood in the room has shifted considerably from where the concert began.

Is there an encore at “The Good Grief Tour” concert?

Yes. Bareilles has closed the first several “Good Grief Tour” shows with the same three-song encore: “She Used to Be Mine,” “Salt Then Sour Then Sweet” and “Let the Rain.”

There is also an earlier break after “Forever,” but that is not the end of the show. Bareilles returns with “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” before finishing the main set with “Love Song,” “Uncharted,” “King of Anything” and “Brave.”

The band then leaves the stage again before the final three songs, so do not head for the exits after “Brave.”

What is “The Good Grief Tour” production like?

“The Good Grief Tour” is more intimate than flashy, with the staging changing along with the mood of the show.

The night begins with “Wind Is the Weather” playing over the sound system before Bareilles appears behind the proscenium for “Home,” which she performs with a Cumberland River dulcimer. From there, the first half stays relatively restrained as she works through much of Good Grief.

The production opens up as the show goes on. After “Forever,” the energy shifts, the audience gets on its feet and the second half feels noticeably looser and more celebratory.

Bareilles’ humor and storytelling are a big part of that transition, giving the heavier songs room to breathe before the night moves into its bigger singalong moments.

When should you arrive for Sara Bareilles’ concert?

For most remaining dates, aim to be inside the venue by 7:45 p.m. for an 8 p.m. show.

Bareilles has generally started 10 to 30 minutes after the listed time, but there is no opener at most stops. That means arriving after 8 p.m. could still mean missing “Home” or the first songs from Good Grief.

Get there earlier if you want merchandise. Fans at the first shows reported long lines, including some that stretched across multiple floors in Boston.

For the San Francisco and Seattle dates with Celisse, check the individual event listing for updated door and set times.

What should you bring to a Sara Bareilles concert?

You do not need much for “The Good Grief Tour,” but two things are worth thinking about before you leave home: your phone and your venue’s rules.

Load your mobile ticket before you get to the door and give your phone enough battery to survive the night, especially if you are arriving early or taking photos before the show. A portable charger can help where permitted.

After that, check the venue policy rather than guessing. Bag limits, camera rules and permitted items can change from one stop to the next.

And yes, tissues have a stronger case here than they do at most concerts. Good Grief gets plenty emotional before Bareilles turns the room toward dancing and singalongs.

What should fans wear to “The Good Grief Tour”?

There is no unofficial uniform for “The Good Grief Tour,” which is part of the appeal.

Some fans will show up in Sara Bareilles merch, while others may lean into the theater setting with something a little more dressed up. Either works. The bigger priority is wearing something you will still be comfortable in two hours later, especially if you are standing for the more upbeat second half.

If your night involves a long walk, public transit or waiting in a merchandise line, plan around that too. And before bringing a large bag or extra layers, check the rules for your specific venue.

Is “The Good Grief Tour” appropriate for younger fans?

There is no single age rule for the entire tour, so families should check the policy for their specific venue before buying tickets.

Content-wise, the bigger consideration is the subject matter. Good Grief spends a lot of time with loss, heartbreak and healing, and some of the first-half songs can get pretty heavy. Bareilles balances that with plenty of humor, and the back half of the show becomes much more upbeat.

The other factor is the clock. Most performances run about two hours and end somewhere around 10:15 to 10:30 p.m., which may be the bigger issue for younger fans on a school night.

How to get Sara Bareilles tour tickets on SeatGeek

Whether you want to be close enough to catch every expression during the quieter Good Grief songs or farther back for a wider view of the stage, SeatGeek gives you a few ways to compare your options before you buy.

1. Go to the Sara Bareilles tickets page on SeatGeek or open the SeatGeek app.

2. Choose the “Good Grief Tour” date and city you want to attend.

3. Use the interactive seating map to compare available sections, rows and prices.

4. Check View From Seat images when available to get a better idea of your sightline before buying.

5. Use Deal Score to compare the relative value of different listings and spot strong options for the price.

6. Adjust the filters for your budget, ticket quantity or preferred section to narrow the choices.

7. Review the event date, venue, section, row and delivery details before checkout.

8. SeatGeek’s All-In Pricing shows mandatory fees upfront so you can compare the full cost of different tickets.

9. Complete your purchase. Eligible orders are backed by the SeatGeek Buyer Guarantee.

Then brush up on the new record, save some voice for “Love Song” and get ready to see what Bareilles does with the room.