Ethereal Metal

Ryan Murray | Co-Owner | Chief Editor | Contributor | Photographer

r.m.music84@gmail.com

Two decades ago, a band from Texas erupted onto the national stage with a sound that felt both feral and fragile—equal parts hard rock muscle and unflinching vulnerability. Now, in 2026, Flyleaf are celebrating 20 years of their self-titled debut the only way that makes sense: by bringing it back to the stage with the voice that helped define it.

The announcement of the 20th Anniversary Tour featuring original lead vocalist Lacey Sturm isn’t just a nostalgic victory lap—it’s a full-circle moment for a band whose music shaped an era of alternative rock. For longtime fans, it marks the return of the chemistry that turned deeply personal confessionals into arena-sized anthems. For a new generation raised on streaming-era rediscovery, it’s a chance to experience the electricity firsthand.

When Flyleaf’s self-titled debut arrived in 2006, it didn’t politely knock. It kicked the door in. “I’m So Sick” roared with urgency. “Fully Alive” pulsed with defiance. And “All Around Me”—now certified 4x Platinum—became one of the defining crossover rock singles of the 2000s, catapulting the band into Top 40 territory without sacrificing their edge. The album would go on to achieve Platinum status, cementing its place in modern rock history.

But the story began even earlier. Originally formed under the name Passerby, the project took shape through the creative partnership of Sturm and drummer James Culpepper. With the addition of guitarists Sameer Bhattacharya and Jared Hartmann, the band sharpened its identity, built a grassroots following across Texas, and reemerged in 2004 as Flyleaf. What followed was a meteoric rise—touring relentlessly, releasing their sophomore effort Memento Mori, and headlining major runs including the 2010 Unite and Fight Tour.

After a period of hiatus and lineup changes, 2023 signaled something powerful: reunion. Flyleaf and Sturm shared festival stages once again at events like Sick New World, Louder Than Life, and Aftershock, reigniting a spark that fans had hoped to see for years. The response was immediate and overwhelming—a reminder that these songs never faded; they simply waited.

Now, the 14-city headline run produced by Live Nation brings that momentum into an intimate theater setting across the United States. From Atlanta’s Tabernacle to Anaheim’s House of Blues, the tour promises a setlist steeped in legacy—tracks that once lived on burned CDs, MySpace pages, and late-night radio, now reborn in a live setting charged with perspective and gratitude.

Anniversary tours can sometimes feel like time capsules. This one feels different. Flyleaf’s catalog has aged with surprising resonance. Themes of struggle, faith, identity, and survival remain painfully relevant, perhaps even more so than when they first hit airwaves. There’s a rawness in those early recordings that still cuts—and hearing them delivered by the original lineup fronted by Sturm carries a weight that can’t be replicated.

Adding to the celebration, deluxe vinyl editions of Flyleaf and Memento Mori are slated for release via Interscope in Summer 2026, offering collectors and longtime fans a tangible piece of the band’s legacy during this milestone year.

Twenty years later, the message remains the same: loud, honest, unafraid. The 20th Anniversary Tour isn’t just about revisiting the past—it’s about honoring the songs that carried listeners through it.

TICKETS: Tickets will be available starting with Citi presales (details below) beginning Tuesday, February 24. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on sale beginning Friday, February 27 at 10AM  local time at LiveNation.com.

PRESALE: Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, February 24 at 10 am ET until Thursday, February 26 at 10pm local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com. 

FLYLEAF 2026 TOUR DATES: 

Wed Jul 8 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle

Thu Jul 9 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte

Fri Jul 10 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore Philadelphia

Sun Jul 12 – Boston, MA – House of Blues

Mon Jul 13 – Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater

Wed Jul 15 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring

Fri Jul 17 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues

Sun Jul 19 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore Minneapolis

Tue Jul 21 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room @ Old National Centre

Wed Jul 22 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works

Fri Jul 24 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom

Sat Jul 25 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center

Tue Jul 28 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren

Fri Jul 31 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues