smoke out tour

The Original Chopper Party

smokeout 2024

• September 5-8, 2024
• Rowan Co. Fairgrounds
• Salisbury, NC

back to where it began!

Rowan Co. Fairgrounds Salisbury, NC

Sept 5-8- 2024

Why SmokeOut?

For over two decades the SmokeOut Rally represented the custom culture revolution. The place where the Biker Build Off series started that featured Billy Lane vs. Roger Bourget. It was the spot where the Guinness Book of World records Longest Chopper was recorded by the Shade Tree Boys. It introduced the world to the likes of Sucker Punch Sally’s, Indian Larry, The Ice Cream Man From Hell, Bean’re, GTP and Richie Pan. It became the home of every backyard builder and the place where it all started was the Rowan County Fairgrounds!

2024 lineup

Thursday Sept 7th

• Early Gates
• Hamsters USA® Ride
• Drive In Biker Movie
• KICKSTART CONTEST

Friday Sept. 6th

• FXR Show The Gathering
• Perewitz Paint Show
• Mini Bike Racing On The Track
• Roadside's Wet T-Shirt Contest
• Legends Gallery
• World's Strongest Biker

Saturday Sept. 7th

• Bike Games With Shade Tree Boyz
• Sportster Showdown
• Ride In Custom Bike Show
• Mini Bike Full Costume Race
• TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION
• Tattoo Contest
• SHITHOUSE DRAG RACES

Sunday Sept. 8th

• Pancake Breakfast For All Sinners
• Blessing Of The Bikes
• GTFO - See Ya Next Year!

CAMPING ON SITE

Our sponsors, gates open in.

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Upcoming Events

• All Event Types
• Special Events

THE BOYZ WORLD TOUR : ZENERATION II

Event starts 8:00 pm.

A Hilarious Live Conversation with Mel Brooks

Plus a 50th anniversary screening of blazing saddles. moderated by kevin salter, event starts 7:30 pm.

Miss USA and Miss Teen USA

XOXO TOUR 2024

Los Primos Del Este

Banda Cuisillos

Miel San Marcos

Dios de generaciones, event starts 7:00 pm.

Lost 80's Live

Hosted by richard blade & featuring: a flock of seagulls, wang chung, the english beat, oingo boingo former members, the vapors, the escape club, stacey q, animotion, musical youth, missing persons, dramarama, boys don’t cry., event starts 6:30 pm.

Disney Jr. Live on Tour

Let's play, event starts 6:00 pm.

El Yaki & Lenin Ramirez

Event Starts 8:30 PM

Tour 30 Aniversario MMXXIV

SMOKEOUT® 2025

Information about smokeout® 2025 will be posted soon., please check back later this summer..

• Introduction & History
• Booking Inquiries
• Press Inquiries
• Accessibility & Sensory Inclusive Guide
• Job Opportunities
• Wi-Fi Usage Policy
• RF Guidelines
• Seating Charts

Directions & Parking

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Mobile Ticketing Guide

• SEP 19 - Carin León
• SEP 22 - Hans Zimmer
• SEP 23 - Cigarettes After Sex
• SEP 24 - The National And The War On Drugs
• SEP 26 - NCT DREAM
• Event Calendar
• Box Office Information
• Official Suite Options
• Day-of-Event Rental Suites
• BOOK A SUITE! Chicago Blackhawks
• BOOK A SUITE! Chicago Bulls
• United Center Digital Tickets
• Lexus Club Handbook
• Premium Seating Handbook

• Directions & Parking
• Dining & Concessions

Windy City Smokeout Chicago's Country Music Festival

Windy City Smokeout returns to the United Center parking lot with four epic country headliners next summer! Catch Thomas Rhett, Parker McCollum, Cody Johnson, Carrie Underwood, and more, as well as the best BBQ & beer, July 11-14, 2024!

Get your four day and single day tickets now at windycitysmokeout.com .

Fans are encouraged to travel green by utilizing rideshare or public transit when attending Windy City Smokeout. The dedicated Uber Zone located at Madison St. and Wood St will be operational and accessible to attending fans.

LIMITED PARKING AVAILABLE (PRE-PAY ONLY) at unitedcenter.com/WCSParking in the below lots.     

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Please keep your community civil. All comments must follow the Unitedcenter.com Community Rules and Teams of Use . The United Center reserves the right to use the comments we receive, in whole or in part, and to use the commenter's name and location in any medium. See also the Terms of Use , Privacy Policy , and Community FAQ .

1901 W. Madison Street Chicago, IL 60612

Take I-90 East to the Madison Street exit and make a right onto Madison Street. The building will be on your left.

Take I-55 North to the Damen exit and make a left, going northbound for approximately 7 minutes. The building will be on your right.

Take Madison Street west from the Loop.

Take I-290 East to exit 28A (Damen Avenue). Take Damen Avenue north to Madison Street. Make a right onto Madison Street and the building will be on your right.

Public Transportation

Take the Orange, Green, Purple, or Brown lines to Madison. Take #20 Madison buses west.

To the United Center : The #19 United Center Express Bus runs on game days. Service begins 90 minutes prior to game time, runs every 10 minutes until 30 minutes until start of game. Board at stops starting southbound on Michigan and Randolph. Connections are made with Metra trains at Millennium Station, Ogilvie Center and Union Station. The #20 Madison Bus travels west on Madison Street, starting downtown at Wabash Street and runs every few minutes, making all stops to the United Center.

From the United Center : The #19 United Center Express and the #20 Madison buses run every few minutes, departing from the eastbound side of Madison Street. Buses make all stops.

General Parking

PLEASE NOTE: Parking lots and Uber lot open to public two and a half hours prior to event time.

All prices are subject to change without advance notice.

All major credit cards accepted. The United Center offers free parking for select family shows in all official United Center parking lots. All Parking Policies outlined below remain in effect.

Purchase parking via Ticketmaster in advance HERE .

For details on handicap parking, please see the United Center Accessibility Guide .

EV Charging Stations EV Charging Stations are available in Lot H and Lot K. Charging is free. Please be courteous and maintain parking/charging for the posted time limits. 

Parking Policies No in/out privileges. No overnight parking unless related to event activites and approved in advance. No solicitation allowed. No consumption of alcoholic beverages on lot or in parked vehicles. No tailgating or similar activities.

BOOK PARKING IN ADVANCE

Book parking in advance.

SpotHero We recommend booking convenient and affordable parking in advance through SpotHero, the nation's leading parking reservations app. To reserve your parking spot, visit the United Center SpotHero Parking Page .

Fans visiting the United Center can also reserve their parking in advance via  Ticketmaster .

Suites Parking

Two reserved parking passes will be valid in lots C and K. The other two reserved parking passes will be for parking in lots A, B, D, or L. Holders of these passes will be directed to A, B, D, or L lots by traffic police and parking attendants based on traffic conditions. Parking passes are good for one space each. All parking passes are mobile entry only.

For all special events, each Executive Suite Holder will receive two complimentary parking passes per event ordered. These two passes will be for reserved parking located in lots C and K. In addition, Executive Suite Holders will also receive the option to purchase four additional parking passes in lots C and K for special events.

Suite Holder parking passes are also valid for buses or limousines under specific guidelines.

Lexus Club Parking

Lexus Club Seat members have reserved parking in fenced, well-lit and clearly marked parking lots adjacent to the United Center for all Blackhawks or Bulls preseason, regular season and playoff games. All Lexus Club members who purchase tickets to other events may also purchase one preferred parking pass (in lot C or K) for such events. Details on how to obtain parking for other events are included with the fax transmission announcing each event.

Lexus Club Seat members with two to four tickets receive a complimentary, reserved parking space in a closed-in, paved lot for all Blackhawks or Bulls preseason, regular season and playoff games. Lexus Club Seat members with five seats or more will be provided with two parking passes.

Rideshare/UberZone

UBER ZONE FAQs:

What is the Uber Zone (Lot E) at the United Center? To increase and streamline the fan experience for guests who take Uber to and from the United Center, the new Uber Zone is located at the corner of Madison Street and Wood Street (Lot E) and will combine the three former Uber locations around the arena. Traffic leading to the three prior Uber pickup locations 1) Zone A, previously located on Wood Street & Washington Blvd. near Lot A, 2) Zone D, previously located on Monroe Street & S. Paulina Street near Lot D and 3) Zone F, previously located on Monroe Street & Seeley Ave. near Lot F will now be directed towards the one new Uber Zone in Lot E.

What is the location of the Uber Zone? The new Uber Zone at the United Center is located on the corner of Madison Street and Wood Street. Fans will enter and exit through the sidewalk entrance located on Madison Street and cars will enter the lot by turning into the Uber Zone from Madison Street. Cars will exit on Warren Blvd.

What are the hours of operation? On event days, the Uber Zone is open two hours prior to games, concerts and events and will remain open up to one hour after each event. On non-event days, the Uber Zone will be closed and Uber rides will be dropped off near the corner of Madison Street and Wood Street outside of the Uber Zone.

What is the pickup process for fans?

• Using the Uber app, fans inside the United Center will call an Uber ride.
• Guests will then head to the new Uber Zone located at the corner of Madison Street and Wood Street in front of the United Center.
• When arriving, fans will show the Uber attendant the lane number their driver is in.
• Fans will be shown the location where their Uber vehicle is located to start their next journey.

What is the dropoff process for fans? When Uber drivers arrive with guests at the United Center, they will be instructed to pull into the Uber Zone from the Madison Street side to drop off fans. Once exiting the vehicle, guests will walk out of the main entrance located on the corner of Madison Street and Wood Street. Guests can cross the street to the United Center and are encouraged to enter through the East Atrium.

Things To Do | Windy City Smokeout 2023: All you need to know…

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• Music and Concerts
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Things To Do

Things to do | windy city smokeout 2023: all you need to know about the bands and barbecue as the fest marks 10 years.

Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune

Miranda Lambert performs during the final day of the Windy City Smokeout festival on Aug. 7, 2022 in Chicago.

Courtney Henderson holds up her hat while waiting for Miranda Lambert to perform at the Windy City Smokeout outside the United Center on Aug. 7, 2022.

Country music star Miranda Lambert performs during the final day of the Windy City Smokeout festival outside the United Center on Aug. 7, 2022.

Fans watch Miranda Lambert perform during the final day of the Windy City Smokeout festival outside the United Center on Aug. 7, 2022.

Miranda Lambert performs during the final day of the Windy City Smokeout outside the United Center on Aug. 7, 2022.

From left, Kristen Mizialko, Rose Lavina, Sarah Raschillo, and Thiffany Allegretti, huddle under a blanket as rain falls before Miranda Lambert performs at the Windy City Smokeout on Aug. 7, 2022.

Fans cheer while Kip Moore performs during the final day of the Windy City Smokeout outside the United Center Sunday Aug. 7, 2022.

Kip Moore performs during the final day of the Windy City Smokeout on Aug. 7, 2022 in Chicago.

Kip Moore performs during the final day of the Windy City Smokeout on Aug. 7, 2022.

Fans cheer while Kip Moore performs during the final day of the Windy City Smokeout festival on Aug. 7, 2022.

Morgan Schwerin, left, and Aerin Moberg eat Black's Barbecue while attending the final day the Windy City Smokeout on Aug. 7, 2022.

Morgan Schwerin and Aerin Moberg hold samples of Texas brisket and sausage while eating Black's Barbecue at the Windy City Smokeout on Aug. 7, 2022.

Music fans watch Flatland Cavalry perform at the Windy City Smokeout festival outside the United Center on Aug. 7, 2022.

Kelly Gallagher sits with Brandon Smith while attending the Windy City Smokeout festival outside the United Center on Aug. 7, 2022.

Flatland Cavalry performs during the final day of the Windy City Smokeout outside the United Center on Aug. 7, 2022.

Fans of barbecue and country music walk outside the United Center on the final day of the Windy City Smokeout festival outside the United Center on Aug. 7, 2022.

Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune

A music fan cheers while being lifted in the air during Windy City Smokeout outside of the United Center in Chicago on Aug. 4, 2022.

Evan Felker leads the band Turnpike Troubadours at the Windy City Smokeout outside of the United Center in Chicago on Aug. 4, 2022.

Turnpike Troubadours perform at Windy City Smokeout outside of the United Center in Chicago on Aug. 4, 2022.

Fans react to the performance of Turnpike Troubadours at Windy City Smokeout outside of the United Center in Chicago on Aug. 4, 2022.

Zach Bryan performs at Windy City Smokeout outside of the United Center in Chicago on Aug. 4, 2022.

Fans take in the performance of Turnpike Troubadours at the Windy City Smokeout outside of the United Center in Chicago on Aug. 4, 2022.

Morgan Wade performs at the Windy City Smokeout outside of the United Center in Chicago on Aug. 4, 2022.

Charlotte Romano balances on the shoulders of her father, Dalono Romano, as the St. Paul, Minnesota, family enjoys the music of Morgan Wade at the Windy City Smokeout outside of the United Center in Chicago on Aug. 4, 2022.

Joaquin Castillo, 6, plays with a Spider-Man figure while hanging out with his mother, Cindy San Miguel, and family friend Mirelsie Velazquez, right, at the Windy City Smokeout outside of the United Center in Chicago on Aug. 4, 2022. The two families are from Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, although Velazquez lives now in Norman, Oklahoma.

People enjoy the Windy City Smokeout outside of the United Center in Chicago on Aug. 4, 2022.

Rich Fury / Getty Images

Zach Bryan performs during the 2022 Stagecoach Festival at the Empire Polo Field in Indio, California. He headlines Day 1 of this summer's Windy City Smokeout in Chicago.

That’s the advice Ed Warm, one of the partners presenting Windy City Smokeout, offers anyone attending the country music-themed festival taking place July 13-16 at United Center Parking Lot C. It’s wise counsel.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Windy City Smokeout pairs nearly 30 renowned barbecue joints, more than a dozen breweries and 21 artists for a four-day bonanza that provides a taste of the South up north. Its fan-friendly logistics (every musician on the bill plays on one main stage), family-first policies (children under 10 are admitted free) and reasonable cost (single-day tickets start at $69.95 plus fees) help account for why it was named the Academy of Country Music Awards Festival of the Year in 2021. Daily capacity is capped at 20,000 concert-goers.

Then there are the mouth-watering smells and culinary delights, which make most of the options at a certain four-day festival at Grant Park in August seem like an afterthought. “Try as much BBQ and beer as you possibly can and if you get the chance, have a conversation with a BBQ pit master or head brewer,” says Warm. “They are truly the heroes of the event and have such interesting, insightful stories to tell.”

Of course, there’s music, too. The diverse lineup showcases household names, respected veterans and fresh-faced upstarts whose range offers something for everyone fond of cowboy boots, down-home twang and relatable storytelling.

Thursday: On the undercard last year, Zach Bryan returns as a headliner. The red dirt singer-songwriter plays acoustic-based introspective fare true to both country traditions and contemporary times. His major-label debut — the triple-LP “American Heartbreak” — points to his scope and ambition. A live set, cheekily named “All My Homies Hate Ticketmaster,” underlines his outspokenness. Americana sextet American Aquarium and Illinois native Bailey Zimmerman — whose recently released “Religiously” became the most-streamed country debut in history — open.

Friday: For headliner Darius Rucker, Hootie & the Blowfish is in the cracked rear view (mirror). The band’s former leader switched styles more than two decades ago and remains one of the few minority performers flying the country flag. Rucker might champion Nashville, but his songs still slant toward mainstream pop and adult contemporary. Late ’90s sensation Jo Dee Messina promises more twang, giddy-up and attitude. She and young outlaw rambler Jackson Dean — whose flinty, stomping “Don’t Come Lookin'” punctuates a “Yellowstone” episode — help get the afternoon started.

Saturday: Luke Bryan, the festival’s biggest name, specializes in anthemic bro-country. A survey of some of the three-time ACM Entertainer of the Year’s songs — “But I Got a Beer in My Hand,” “Drink a Beer,” “Drinkin’ Beer and Wastin’ Bullets,” “Beer in the Headlights,” “Drink a Little Whiskey,” “Take My Drunk Ass Home” — sums up the “American Idol” judge’s approach and appeal. Crash his party, indeed. Two newcomers — three-chords-and-the-truth disciple Kameron Marlowe and Megan Moroney, whose neon country shuffles and witty lyrics suggest future star power, are reasons to go early.

Sunday: Zac Brown Band functions as the equivalent of country music’s Costco: It deals in bulk, attempts to satisfy all desires and occasionally has a surprise waiting around the corner. Bluegrass, pop, dance, electronic, Southern rock, folk: No kind of fusion or jamming is off-limits to the fest-closing headliner. You’ll hear old-school purity from Tennessee troubadour Larry Fleet, whose sound contains a “little Bakersfield and Memphis / And a whole lot of Muscle Shoals.” Fellow Volunteer State native Lauren Watkins supplies the spunk and sass ideal for shaking off a Saturday night hangover.

Nearly 30 barbecue joints from around the country will serve everything from barbacoa elotes, cole slaw, smokehouse beans and cheese grits to pork belly char siu, bacon burnt ends and all manner of brisket, pork and ribs. Chicago will be represented by Bub City, 3 Little Pigs, Green Street Smoked Meats, Lexington Betty Smokehouse, Lillie’s Q, Smoque BBQ and Soul & Smoke. Regional barbecue from Texas, Kansas, St. Louis, Los Angeles, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Arizona and several East Coast locales invite everyone to indulge. Wash it down with beer from local and national breweries. Vegetarian? A sampling of options — shrimp po’boys, mac n’ cheese, fries, slaw, potato salad, beans — can be found at various vendors. Non-barbecue options include Tallboy Taco and Bub City Burgers.

What else to know

Basics: Windy City Smokeout runs 2-10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 1-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The entrance and box office are located at the intersection of Madison and Wood Streets. First aid is near the main entrance on the south side of Madison. Restrooms are in the United Center and on the north side of Warren Boulevard. Wristbands include in-and-out privileges. The Festival proceeds rain or shine. In the event of severe weather, concertgoers will be evacuated.

Allowed items: Small clutches; purses; medical bags; diaper bags; totes; empty reusable water bottles and hydration packs; empty plastic or aluminum water bottles; baby strollers; basic cameras without stands, detachable lenses, selfie sticks and other accessories; non-aerosol sunscreen in sizes less than 3.4 oz.; empty water bottles. Bags will be searched before entry and must be no larger than 10 x 6 x 2 inches.

Prohibited items: Coolers; outside food and drink; glass containers; large bags; umbrellas; lawn and folding chairs; aerosol containers; drones; professional cameras or recording equipment; laser pointers; pets (except service animals); tents, canopies or shade structures of any kind; weapons of any kind, such as firearms or knives; airhorns and noisemakers; skateboards, scooters, bicycles, wagons, carts and personal motorized vehicles; flag poles, staffs or sticks; bike chains and bike locks; wallet chains more than a foot in length; costumes and masks (safety face masks, such as surgical and N95s are acceptable); offensive clothing or signage; anything larger than 10 x 6 x 2 inches (save breast pumps and medical bags). For a full list of allowed and prohibited items, visit windycitysmokeout.com/faq .

Parking: At United Center in Lots H (includes ADA) for $42, K for $31 and other lots for $26. Rideshare pickup and drop-off is located in Lot E (east of Wood, on the north side of Madison).

Tickets: General admission daily passes start at $69.95 plus fees. Several VIP packages featuring elevated seating areas, air-conditioned bathrooms and other amenities are available. Tickets cover admission; all food and drink are extra. Vendors sell main items for around $9-$20 and side items for around $7.

At press time, four-day general admission tickets and daily tickets are sold out except for Friday. Resale tickets for sold-out days can be purchased at windycitysmokeout.com .

Bob Gendron is a freelance critic.

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Windy City Smokeout lineup announced, headliners include Darius Rucker, Zach Bryan

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Do you like country music and barbeque? Then we have some news for you.

The Windy City Smokeout 2023 lineup has been announced!

The annual country music and barbeque festival will be held in the United Center parking lot from July 13 to 16.

This year's headliners are Zach Bryan on Thursday, Darius Rucker on Friday, Luke Bryan on Saturday and the Zac Brown Band on Sunday.

Other performers include Luke Grimes, Randy Rogers Band, American Aquarium, Chris Lane, Jackson Dean, Megan Moroney and more.

Click here to see the full lineup of bands, get more information and buy tickets .

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Buju Banton Announces ‘Overcomer’ Tour Following First U.S. Shows In 13 Years: See the Dates

The reggae legend is following up his two sold-out New York concerts with a massive new trek. Get all the details.

By Kyle Denis

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Last weekend (July 13-14), reggae and dancehall legend Buju Banton rocked New York’s UBS Arena for two bombastic sold-out shows — his first U.S. performances in 13 years. As it turns out, those two shows were just the beginning of Gargamel’s massive Stateside comeback.

Reggae/Dancehall Fresh Picks of the Month: Govana & Popcaan, Minister Marion Hall, Spice, Jah Lil &&nbsp…

Trending on billboard.

“In each state of the United States of America, you have different synergy of people, different melting pot of ethnicities coming together. And when the music that they love comes around, they react in one harmonious way, just enjoying themselves,” Banaton tells Billboard via Zoom during a rehearsal break that was later crashed by the legendary Marcia Griffiths. “That’s a remarkable feeling to share among the masses. After not being here for quite some time, I look forward to reigniting that passion and euphoria.”

And it has been quite some time since the star last performed in the States. Just one day after he won the 2011 best reggae album Grammy for his timeless Before the Dawn , Banton’s criminal trial kicked off in Tampa, FL. He was ultimately convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offense and using communication wires to facilitate a drug-trafficking offense. Banton was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.

As he prepares to head back on the road, Banton is letting the music lead the way. “Music knows no time, so we don’t have a clock inside the rehearsal room,” he says. “We just do what the music calls us to, and when we feel like we’ve accomplished something, we call it a day and then resume the next day and reconvene.”

With a career that spans nearly 40 years, Banton has an extensive catalog to pull from. He has sent 12 projects to the top 10 of Reggae Albums, including 1997’s eight-week chart-topper Inna Heights . From “Make My Day” and “Champion” to “Wanna Be Loved,” “Blessed” and “Buried Alive,” Banton has soundtracked nearly four decades of dancehall and reggae, bringing the two genres to myriad global audiences and defining multiple generations along the way. Of course, such a deep discography complicates the task of crafting a tour setlist, and Banton isn’t particularly keen on remaining married to a particular collection of songs.

“My catalog is rather extensive, so to highlight one or two songs would be cheating a lot of people and will also be putting my foot in my mouth,” he jokes. “I don’t want to suffer from that deadly disease — foot and mouth disease. You don’t want to catch it! I try to make the masses a part of what I am doing in whatever way I can. We also try to poll to find out what’s the favorite in each territory. It’s important. In modern times we have so much tools, back in the day we didn’t have all this at our fingertips. I want to do more.”

“I have been in this business since I was 19 years old making reggae music for the world. It’s been 36 years, going on 37 years,” Banton says. “I just [want to] lift up the name of the true and living creator and say ‘Hi’ and greetings and ‘I love you’ to all the good people who come out to see Buju Banton and have been supporting me throughout my struggles.”

Find the Overcomer Tour dates below. 

• Aug. 23 — Ft. Lauderdale, FL — Amerant Bank Arena
• Aug. 25 — Tampa, FL — Amalie Arena
• Aug. 27 — Washington, DC — Capital One Arena
• Aug. 30 — Boston, MA — TD Garden
• Sept. 1 — Philadelphia, PA — Wells Fargo Center
• Sept. 6 — Hartford, CT — XL Center
• Sept. 8 — Atlanta, GA — State Farm Arena
• Sept. 12 — Houston, TX — Toyota Center
• Sept. 13 — Dallas, TX — American Airlines Center
• Sept. 15 — Phoenix, AZ — Footprint Center
• Sept. 18 — Inglewood, CA — Intuit Dome
• Sept. 23 — San Jose, CA — SAP Center
• Sept. 29 — Chicago, IL — Allstate Arena
• Nov. 17 — Brooklyn, NY — Barclays Center

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