Noah Kahan, the two-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter who has captured hearts with his introspective folk-pop sound, has officially announced his highly anticipated fourth studio album alongside an ambitious summer stadium tour that will bring him to Raleigh's iconic Carter-Finley Stadium. The announcement, which sent waves of excitement through his devoted fanbase, confirms that the Vermont-born artist will perform in the North Carolina capital on Saturday, July 25, as part of his extensive North American trek.
The forthcoming album, titled "The Great Divide," is scheduled for release on April 24, marking a significant milestone in Kahan's rapidly ascending career. Known for his raw, emotionally charged lyrics that explore themes of mental health, small-town life, and personal growth, Kahan's new material is expected to build upon the success of his previous work, including his breakthrough single "Stick Season," which became a viral sensation and established him as one of folk music's most authentic voices of his generation. The album's title suggests thematic exploration of separation and connection, concepts that have resonated throughout his discography and speak to the universal human experience of navigating change and relationships.
Produced by the industry powerhouse Live Nation, Noah Kahan: The Great Divide Tour represents a substantial leap in scale for the artist, who will headline an impressive 23 stadiums across the continent. This marks his transition from theater and arena performer to bona fide stadium headliner, a testament to his explosive growth in popularity over the past two years. The Raleigh stop at Carter-Finley Stadium, home to the NC State Wolfpack football team and a venue with a capacity exceeding 56,000, underscores the massive demand for Kahan's live performances. The tour's routing includes major markets across the United States and Canada, with each venue carefully selected to accommodate his rapidly expanding audience while maintaining the intimate connection he's known for, even in massive settings.
Joining Kahan for this monumental tour will be Gigi Perez, the rising singer-songwriter who has been making her own waves in the indie folk scene. Perez, whose ethereal vocals and poetic songwriting have earned her a growing following, will serve as the opening act, promising concertgoers a full evening of compelling musical storytelling. The pairing of these two artists creates an exciting dynamic for fans, offering a chance to experience both established and emerging talent in a single night. Perez's recent releases have garnered critical acclaim, making her an ideal complement to Kahan's headlining set and providing attendees with a comprehensive showcase of contemporary folk music's brightest talents.
For those eager to secure their spot at the Raleigh show, ticket information has been structured to reward dedicated fans while ensuring broad accessibility. The artist presale will commence on Tuesday, February 10 at noon, providing early access to those who register in advance. Fans wishing to participate in this presale must sign up by Thursday, February 5 at 11:59 p.m., creating a narrow window for registration that has already sparked urgency among Kahan's community. Following the presale period, general ticket sales will open to the public on Thursday, February 12 at noon, with prices expected to reflect the stadium-scale production and high demand for this tour. Fans are advised to create accounts on ticketing platforms in advance and be prepared for high traffic when sales begin, as previous tours have seen tickets sell out within minutes.
The timing of Kahan's Raleigh performance is particularly noteworthy as it occurs during a week that will see another major rock act in the area. Guns N' Roses is scheduled to perform at the same venue on Thursday, July 23, just two days before Kahan's show. This back-to-back booking of high-profile concerts at Carter-Finley Stadium highlights the venue's status as a premier destination for large-scale music events in the region, but it also raises practical concerns for local residents and concertgoers alike. The legendary rock band's presence will likely draw a different demographic, creating a diverse week of musical offerings but also straining local resources including law enforcement, medical services, and hospitality infrastructure.
Indeed, the concentration of major performances at Carter-Finley Stadium has become a topic of discussion among Raleigh's entertainment community. Last year, the venue hosted several high-profile acts, including controversial R&B star Chris Brown, demonstrating its capacity to attract top-tier talent across multiple genres. However, this surge in stadium concerts has amplified existing concerns about traffic congestion, parking availability, and scheduling conflicts, particularly given the venue's close proximity to other major event spaces like the Lenovo Center, which regularly hosts its own slate of concerts, sporting events, and shows. The Lenovo Center, located just a few miles away, frequently schedules events on the same evenings as Carter-Finley Stadium, creating potential bottlenecks on major thoroughfares like I-40 and Wade Avenue that serve as primary routes to both venues.
The geographic clustering of entertainment venues in Raleigh's western corridor means that multiple events can occur simultaneously within a few miles of each other, creating potential logistical challenges for attendees and city infrastructure. Local officials and venue management have been working to develop coordinated traffic management plans and public transportation options to mitigate these issues, but the sheer volume of fans expected for both the Guns N' Roses and Noah Kahan shows within a 48-hour period will undoubtedly test these systems. Ride-sharing services are expected to implement surge pricing, and parking passes are likely to sell out quickly, prompting many fans to consider alternative transportation methods such as the city's bus system or shuttle services from remote parking areas. The city may need to implement special event traffic patterns and increase public transit frequency to accommodate the influx of visitors.
Despite these concerns, the excitement surrounding Kahan's Raleigh debut remains palpable. Fans who discovered him through his viral TikTok moments or his deeply personal album "Stick Season" are eager to experience his powerful live performance in a stadium setting. Kahan's concerts are renowned for their emotional intensity, with the artist often sharing personal anecdotes between songs and creating an intimate atmosphere even in large venues. His ability to connect with audiences through vulnerable storytelling and anthemic choruses has become his signature, and the Great Divide Tour promises to elevate this experience with enhanced production values befitting a stadium show. Expect elaborate lighting designs, video screens to ensure visibility from all seats, and possibly expanded instrumentation to fill the massive space with his signature sound while maintaining the acoustic intimacy that defines his music.
The choice of Carter-Finley Stadium as a tour stop also reflects Kahan's appeal to a demographic that spans college students, young professionals, and families—a cross-section well-represented in Raleigh's diverse population. The venue's open-air design will provide a fitting backdrop for Kahan's folk-inspired sound, allowing his acoustic-driven melodies to resonate under the summer sky. As the sun sets on July 25, thousands of fans will fill the stadium, singing along to both beloved hits and new material from "The Great Divide," creating a communal experience that defines the magic of live music. The stadium's configuration will likely include a general admission floor area for standing room as well as reserved seating throughout the lower and upper bowls, accommodating various price points and preferences for different types of concertgoers.
For those unfamiliar with Kahan's trajectory, his rise from a small-town Vermont musician to Grammy-nominated stadium headliner is a modern music industry success story. His honest approach to songwriting, which tackles topics like anxiety, depression, and the complexities of leaving home, has resonated deeply with a generation seeking authenticity in their musical heroes. The Great Divide Tour represents not just a promotion of his new album, but a celebration of this connection with his fans—a relationship built on mutual understanding and shared experiences. His nomination for Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards validated his artistic vision and commercial appeal, setting the stage for this ambitious tour that cements his status as a major force in contemporary music.
As the April 24 album release approaches and ticket sales begin, Raleigh's music community is preparing to welcome one of folk-pop's brightest stars. Local radio stations have already begun playing his singles on heavy rotation, and social media groups dedicated to Raleigh concerts are buzzing with anticipation. Whether you're a longtime fan who has followed Kahan since his early EPs or a newcomer drawn in by his recent success, the July 25 concert at Carter-Finley Stadium promises to be a defining moment in Raleigh's 2025 summer concert season. With Gigi Perez setting the stage and Kahan delivering what is sure to be an unforgettable performance, the Great Divide Tour stop in Raleigh is poised to be more than just a concert—it's set to be a cultural event that brings together thousands in celebration of music's power to heal, connect, and inspire. The economic impact on local businesses, from hotels and restaurants to merchandise vendors and transportation services, will be substantial, further cementing the importance of major concerts to Raleigh's cultural and financial landscape. Restaurants near the venue are already planning extended hours and special menus, while hotels are expecting near-capacity bookings for that weekend, demonstrating how a single concert can ripple through the entire local economy.