The 2025 Grammy Awards recognized some of the most exciting names in music, and the best part? Many of them are heading to Ohio this year. Whether you’re into rock, country, alternative, or R&B, this lineup includes Grammy-nominated artists who are bringing their award-worthy talent to Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.
As a musician and a lifelong music fan, I can confidently say these aren’t just concerts — they’re bucket list shows. So, if you want to see an artist while they’re at the top of their game (or on the up-and-up), these concerts are your chance.
Here’s who’s coming, when they’re playing, and how to get your tickets before they’re gone.
Teddy Swims | Best New Artist Nominee
📍 Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica, Cleveland
📅 May 20, 2025
🎟 Find Tickets Here
Teddy Swims is the kind of artist you see live once and immediately want to see again. A powerhouse vocalist blending soul, R&B, pop, and country, he went from viral covers on his YouTube channel to original music that hits you right in the emotions. His Best New Artist nomination proves what fans already knew, this guy is the real deal. He possesses massive vocals, heartfelt ballads, and his shows are sure to have an audience full of people singing their hearts out.
Fontaines D.C. | Best Rock Album Nominee | Romance
📍 KEMBA Live!, Columbus
📅 May 4, 2025
🎟 Find Tickets Here
If post-punk with an Irish accent and attitude sounds even remotely intriguing to you (and let’s be honest, it’s definitely intriguing), Fontaines D.C. is a must-see. Nominated for Best Rock Album for Romance, they’ve become one of the most consistently interesting bands in rock right now. Their shows are high-energy, moody, and full of raw, unfiltered intensity.
This is the kind of show you don’t want to miss at a venue like KEMBA Live!, where it’s all up close, loud, and full of mosh-worthy anthems.
Jack White | Best Rock Album Nominee | No Name
📍 The Agora Theatre, Cleveland
📅 April 16, 2025
🎟 Find Tickets Here
Jack White needs no introduction. A Grammy magnet and one of the most legendary songwriters alive, he’s back with No Name, proving once again that rock isn’t dead… it just needed some dirty, bluesy riffs to wake it from its slumber.
Jack White shows are, in a word, electric. His sets are known for spontaneous setlists, ear-piercing solos, and energy that feels like the entire venue might explode at any moment. The Agora Theatre is the perfect setting, too. It’s intimate enough to feel like a once-in-a-lifetime experience, yet has a rawness to it that encapsulates Jack White’s sound.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds | Best Alternative Music Album Nominee | Wild God
📍 Palace Theatre, Columbus
📅 May 2, 2025
🎟 Find Tickets Here
Seeing Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds live is less of a concert and more of a religious experience. Dark, poetic, intense, and deeply theatrical, Cave’s music sits at the intersection of alternative rock, musical storytelling, and haunting ballads.
His new album, Wild God, earned him a Best Alternative Music Album nomination, and for good reason… this is some of the most uplifting and exciting music he’s ever released over his 40 year career.
Avery*Sunshine | Best Progressive R&B Album Nominee | So Glad to Know You
📍 Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati
📅 April 19, 2025
🎟 Find Tickets Here
Avery*Sunshine is one of the most underrated voices in R&B. Blending soul, gospel, jazz, and pure emotional storytelling, her music is a reminder that real vocals and raw talent still matter. And boy, does she have both!
Her album So Glad to Know You landed her a Best Progressive R&B Album nomination, and her live shows are known for being intimate, personal, and full of pure musical magic. If you love artists like Jill Scott or Erykah Badu, get your tickets now because we smell a sold out show coming.
Lainey Wilson | Best Country Album Nominee | Whirlwind
📍 Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls (near Cleveland)
📅 October 4, 2025
🎟 Find Tickets Here
Lainey Wilson has completely taken over country music in recent years. Beginning in 2019 with her Redneck Hollywood EP, which was the original home for her hit single “Things a Man Oughta Know,” her Best Country Album nomination for Whirlwind proves she’s not slowing down anytime soon.
Her voice is rich and classic, but her songwriting has a modern, unapologetic edge. Think old-school Dolly Parton meets Miranda Lambert with a little outlaw spirit. Plus, her live shows have been getting rave reviews, so if you’re into country music with serious heart, this is the show to catch.
Jim Gaffigan | Best Comedy Album Nominee | The Prisoner
📍 Nationwide Arena, Columbus (with Jerry Seinfeld!)
📅 March 21, 2025
🎟 Find Tickets Here
Jim Gaffigan is probably the comedian I’ve seen live more than anyone else. Not intentionally at first, but at this point, it feels like a weird tradition. The first time was at Miami University when my brother was there for Parents Weekend. The second time was in college when he played The Palace Theatre downtown.
One thing about Gaffigan… he knows how to stretch a joke way past its expiration date and somehow still make it funny. The last time I saw him in Columbus, he made jokes about goats or horses for 20 minutes straight, and while some people started losing patience, I couldn’t stop laughing. He just kept doubling down, and the more he committed, the funnier it got.
Now, he’s nominated for Best Comedy Album and teaming up with Jerry Seinfeld for a massive arena tour. If you love observational humor, self-deprecating dad jokes, and an absurd amount of food-related material, this is a comedy event you don’t want to miss.
Forrest Frank | Best Contemporary Christian Music Album Nominee | Child of God
📍 Schottenstein Center, Columbus
📅 March 28, 2025
🎟 Find Tickets Here
Whether you first heard Forrest Frank through his solo work, his duo Surfaces, or just ended up on his side of TikTok, one thing is clear: he knows how to make a vibe.
Blending R&B, pop, and gospel influences, Child of God earned him a Best Contemporary Christian Music Album nomination, and while his music carries a strong faith-based message, it’s also just ridiculously catchy. This show at the Schott is bound to be high-energy, uplifting, and full of singalong moments, even if you’re just here for the good vibes.
CeCe Winans | 2x Grammy Winner | More Than This & “That’s My King”
📍 Canton Civic Center – February 12, 2025
📍 Fraze Pavilion, Kettering – July 23, 2025
🎟 Canton Tickets | Kettering Tickets
CeCe Winans is gospel royalty. She’s racked up 15 Grammys in her career, and this year, she added two more — one for Best Gospel Album (More Than This) and one for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song (“That’s My King”).
Her voice? Flawless. Her presence? Legendary. Even if you’re not a regular gospel listener, a CeCe Winans concert is an experience. Expect soaring vocals, incredible musicianship, and a setlist packed with Grammy-winning greatness.
Shemekia Copeland | Best Contemporary Blues Album Nominee | Blame It On Eve
📍 Taft Theatre, Cincinnati (Opening for The Blind Boys of Alabama)
📅 March 28, 2025
🎟 Find Tickets Here
Shemekia Copeland is one of the best voices in modern blues, full stop. Her gritty, powerful vocals and fearless songwriting have made her a force in the genre, and her Best Contemporary Blues Album nomination for Blame It On Eve is well deserved.
Opening for The Blind Boys of Alabama, she’s guaranteed to set the stage on fire with soulful, emotionally charged blues that demand attention. If you love big voices and bigger emotions, don’t skip this one.
Joe Bonamassa | Best Contemporary Blues Album Nominee | Blues Deluxe Vol. 2
📍 Keybank State Theatre-Playhouse Square, Cleveland
📅 February 22, 2025
🎟 Find Tickets Here
At this point, Joe Bonamassa is basically a walking blues guitar museum. He’s one of the most technically gifted guitarists alive, and his Best Contemporary Blues Album nomination for Blues Deluxe Vol. 2 proves he’s still at the top of his game.
Expect flawless solos, deep-cut blues covers, and a setlist that feels like a history lesson in guitar greatness. He’s seriously a wizard.
Little Feat | Best Traditional Blues Album Nominee | Sam’s Place
📍 Goodyear Theater, Akron
📅 May 12, 2025
🎟 Find Tickets Here
If you love New Orleans-style funk, blues, and rock, you already know Little Feat. Honestly, Little Feat is probably THE MOST underrated band that came out of the 70s. They’ve been blending jam-band looseness with tight musicianship for decades, and Sam’s Place — nominated for Best Traditional Blues Album — shows they’re still evolving while staying true to their roots.
This show will be groovy, funky, and full of die-hard fans who know every deep cut. If you aren’t familiar with Little Feat’s work, get hip to the album Feats Don’t Fail Me Now. It’s an all-timer.
Iron & Wine | Best American Roots Song Nominee | “All In Good Time”
📍 The Bluestone, Columbus
📅 April 8, 2025
🎟 Find Tickets Here
Sam Beam, aka Iron & Wine, makes music that feels like a warm, nostalgic dream. His Best American Roots Song nomination for “All In Good Time” proves he’s still one of the best storytellers in modern folk.
His shows are intimate, hypnotic, and full of quiet, breathtaking moments. If you love gentle, acoustic-driven songwriting, The Bluestone is the perfect place to see him up close.
Bonnie Raitt | Best American Roots Performance Nominee | “Nothing in Rambling” w/ The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal, Mick Fleetwood
📍 The Rose Music Center, Huber Heights – September 6, 2025
📍 The Andrew J Brady Music Center, Cincinnati – September 12, 2025
🎟 Huber Heights Tickets | Cincinnati Tickets
Bonnie Raitt is a living legend. From her signature slide guitar work to her unmistakable voice, she’s one of the most respected musicians in American roots music.
Her nomination for Best American Roots Performance proves she’s still putting out music that matters. And when you see her live, you’re getting decades of hits, pure musicianship, and the kind of timeless talent that doesn’t fade. I just finally became hip to her discography and she is easily one of the best female vocalists and songwriters in Rock. Fun fact, she dated the late Lowell George from Little Feat! No wonder I like her so much!
Morgan Wallen | Best Country Song & Best Country Duo/Group Performance Nominee | “I Had Some Help”
📍 Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland
📅 August 15 & 16, 2025
🎟 Find Tickets Here
Love him or hate him, Morgan Wallen is one of the biggest names in country music right now. His nominations for Best Country Song and Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “I Had Some Help” (his massive hit with Post Malone) proves that he’s not slowing down… he’s just getting started.
His “I’m The Problem” Tour is bringing him to Huntington Bank Field for two nights, which means one thing — this is going to be a stadium-sized party. Expect wall-to-wall singalongs, beer-fueled anthems, and a crowd that knows every word to every song. If you want big, loud, and unapologetically country, this show is it.
Jelly Roll | Best Country Song & Best Country Solo Performance Nominee | “I Am Not Okay”
📍 Ohio Stadium, Columbus (Buckeye Country Superfest)
📅 June 21, 2025
🎟 Find Tickets Here
Few artists have had a bigger (and seemingly out-of-nowhere) breakout in country music than Jelly Roll. After transitioning from rap to country, his gritty, deeply personal songs have resonated with fans in a way that feels real and raw. His Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance nominations for “I Am Not Okay” are proof that his blend of Southern rock, country, and hip-hop storytelling has struck a chord.
Jelly Roll’s live shows are a mix of high-energy bangers and emotional gut-punches, making him a perfect fit for Buckeye Country Superfest. If you’re looking for a country show with serious edge and heart, don’t sleep on this one.
Tank and The Bangas | Best Spoken Word Poetry Album Winner | The Heart, The Mind, The Soul
📍 Newport Music Hall, Columbus
📅 March 12, 2025
🎟 Find Tickets Here
If you’ve never seen Tank and The Bangas live, prepare for something completely different. They don’t just perform music, they create an experience. Their Grammy-winning album, The Heart, The Mind, The Soul, blends spoken word, funk, jazz, hip-hop, and pure theatrical energy into something magnetic and unforgettable.
A Tank and The Bangas show is full of moments that feel spontaneous and electric, with lead singer Tarriona “Tank” Ball guiding the audience through an emotional, rhythmic, and unpredictable ride. Whether you’re a poetry lover, a funk fan, or just someone who appreciates raw artistry, this is a must-see.
Metallica | Best Metal Performance Nominee | “Screaming Suicide”
📍 Historic Crew Stadium, Columbus (Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival)
📅 May 8, 2025
🎟 Find Tickets Here
Metallica doesn’t just play concerts, they unleash absolute sonic destruction. Their Best Metal Performance nomination for “Screaming Suicide” proves that 40+ years into their career, they’re still at the top of their game.
If you’ve ever wanted to see one of the most legendary bands of all time, there’s no better setting than Sonic Temple Festival at Historic Crew Stadium. Expect bone-crushing riffs, pyrotechnics, and a sea of fans losing their minds to classics like “Master of Puppets”, “Enter Sandman”, and “One.”
By the way, I might be the biggest Metallica fan in Columbus. If there’s ever a Metallica-themed trivia night, let me know because I already know I’ll be taking home the gold.
Knocked Loose | Best Metal Performance Nominee | “Suffocate”
📍 Ohio State Reformatory, Mansfield (Inkcarceration Festival)
📅 July 18, 2025
🎟 Find Tickets Here
If Metallica is the godfather of metal, Knocked Loose is the angry new blood. Their Best Metal Performance nomination for “Suffocate” proves that hardcore is thriving, and it’s louder than ever.
And what better place to see a band this intense than the actual Ohio State Reformatory (yes, the Shawshank Redemption prison) during Inkcarceration Festival? This show will be brutal in the best way possible — wall-to-wall chaos, non-stop energy, and breakdowns that will absolutely rattle the prison walls.
If you like your metal fast, heavy, and violent, Knocked Loose delivers.
Did we miss one? Send us a note!