Soul Asylum Hits Belly Up August 16
Soul Asylum Brings Four Decades of Alternative Rock to Belly Up on August 16
Grammy Award-winning alternative rock icons Soul Asylum are hitting the road for a worldwide tour, including a stop at the legendary Belly Up in Solana Beach on Sunday, August 16, 2026.
More than four decades after emerging from Minneapolis’ explosive early-’80s punk scene, Soul Asylum remains one of alternative rock’s most respected and enduring live bands.
The upcoming tour will carry the group across North America, South America, and beyond while celebrating a deep catalog filled with punk energy, melodic hooks, raw emotion, and unmistakable guitar-driven rock.
Soul Asylum at Belly Up
Date: Sunday, August 16, 2026
Venue: Belly Up
Location: Solana Beach, California
The San Diego-area performance lands between tour stops at The Strat in Las Vegas on August 15 and The Glass House in Pomona on August 17.
Led by founding member, vocalist, and songwriter Dave Pirner, Soul Asylum’s current lineup features guitarist Ryan Smith, bassist Jeremy Tappero, and drummer Michael Bland, whose credits include Prince and Paul Westerberg.
Together, the band continues to deliver the kind of unpredictable, emotionally charged performances that have made Soul Asylum a fan favorite for generations.
MPLS Unplugged Arrives August 28
The worldwide tour arrives as Soul Asylum prepares to release MPLS Unplugged, a special live album celebrating the 30th anniversary of the band’s legendary 1993 MTV Unplugged performance.
Recorded at Minneapolis’ historic State Theatre on April 20, 2023, nearly 30 years to the day after the original television appearance, the new album captures Soul Asylum performing in a more intimate setting while exploring the emotional depth of the band’s catalog.
Pirner, Smith, Tappero, and Bland were joined for the performance by returning keyboardist Ivan Neville, the STRINGenius string quartet, and the Robert Robinson Gospel Singers.
Neville also performed during the band’s original 1993 MTV Unplugged appearance, creating a fitting connection between the two eras.
MPLS Unplugged will be released August 28, 2026, through Blue Élan Records.
A Long-Awaited Soul Asylum Song Finally Arrives
The album includes “What Will Become of Me,” one of the most anticipated recordings in Soul Asylum history.
First performed live in 1995, the song developed a devoted following despite never receiving an official studio or live release. More than 30 years later, fans will finally be able to hear the song fully realized on MPLS Unplugged.
The album also includes longtime live favorite “Farmer John.” Together, the two tracks represent previously unreleased pieces of Soul Asylum’s extensive live legacy.
More than 40 years into their career, Soul Asylum continues to find new dimensions within its music without losing the urgency, honesty, and scrappy rock and roll spirit that defined the band from the beginning.
San Diego fans will have their chance to experience it live when Soul Asylum takes over Belly Up in Solana Beach on August 16.
Soul Asylum World Tour 2026
July 29 – Worcester, Massachusetts – Off The Rails
July 30 – Hampton, New Hampshire – Wally’s Pub
July 31 – Saint John, New Brunswick – Area 506 Festival
August 15 – Las Vegas, Nevada – The Strat
August 16 – Solana Beach, California – Belly Up
August 17 – Pomona, California – The Glass House
August 19 – Garden City, Idaho – Revolution Concert House
August 20 – Bozeman, Montana – The Elm
August 21 – Libby, Montana – Happy’s Inn
August 23 – Calgary, Alberta – The Arrowhead
August 25 – Edmonton, Alberta – Midway
August 26 – Regina, Saskatchewan – Casino Regina
August 27 – Winnipeg, Manitoba – Park Theatre
September 13 – Santiago, Chile – Teatro Caupolican with LIVE
September 15 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – C Art Media with LIVE
September 17 – Lima, Peru – Costa 21 with LIVE
September 19 – Mexico City, Mexico – Velódromo Olímpico with LIVE
September 22 – San Juan, Puerto Rico – Coca-Cola Music Hall with LIVE
November 21 – Clearwater, Florida – St. Pete Bike Fest
Additional tour dates are expected to be announced.
