The Best Music of Autumn 2025: Upcoming Albums and Tours from Top Artists

The autumn of 2025 promises a diverse lineup of musical releases and live performances from an array of notable artists. David Byrne, fresh off his successful ‘American Utopia’ tour, is releasing his first album in years, ‘Who Is the Sky?’, on September 5. The album features collaborations with St Vincent and Hayley Williams, and will be accompanied by a visually stunning tour that will begin in Europe next year. Meanwhile, Saint Etienne bids farewell with their final album, ‘International,’ due on the same day, September 5. Their unique approach to pop music has made them a cult favorite for 25 years. Other significant releases include Jade Thirlwall’s solo debut, ‘That’s Showbiz Baby,’ on September 12, and Self Esteem’s third album, ‘A Complicated Woman,’ which continues her journey as a charismatic and theatrical live performer. Cardi B’s long-awaited second album, ‘Am I the Drama?’ will drop on September 19, while CMAT’s ‘Euro-Country,’ expected to be a hit, is out October 2. Taylor Swift also surprises fans with her 12th album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl,’ set for October 3. A slew of tours will also take place, including Lady Gaga’s ‘Mayhem Ball’ starting in London on September 29, and Little Simz’s ‘Lotus’ tour beginning on October 16. In addition to pop and rock, the classical world has notable events, such as Mark-Anthony Turnage’s opera adaptation of ‘The Railway Children,’ which will be performed at Glyndebourne in late October. Overall, the season is packed with exciting music releases and performances across genres.