Brandi Carlile
San Francisco

Brandi Carlile's Human Tour — A Career-Defining Run Arrives at Stanford

Brandi Carlile grew up in Ravensdale, Washington, teaching herself guitar and piano before signing her first record deal in 2004. Two decades later, she stands as one of the most important American singer-songwriters of her generation, with eleven Grammy Awards from twenty-eight nominations spanning categories from country and Americana to pop and rock. Her breakout 2018 album By the Way, I Forgive You earned three Grammy wins including Song of the Year for "The Joke," and its follow-up In These Silent Days won four more in 2023 — including Album of the Year, making Carlile one of only a handful of female artists to win the top Grammy honor. Her memoir, Broken Horses, became a New York Times bestseller, and her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and charitable work through the Looking Out Foundation have made her a cultural figure whose influence extends well beyond the stage.

Returning To Myself, released in October 2025 on Interscope and Lost Highway Records, marks Carlile's eighth studio album and what many critics have called her most philosophically engaged work to date. The album debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200 with 35,000 first-week units and features production that ranges from stripped-back acoustic arrangements to lush orchestral settings. The record explores themes of mortality, identity, and togetherness with the unflinching honesty that has become Carlile's trademark. The Human Tour takes its name from the album's thematic center — the idea that connection, vulnerability, and shared experience are what make us fundamentally human, whether expressed through music, relationships, or the simple act of gathering in a room together. It is a philosophy that has guided Carlile's career from its earliest days, and the tour's setlists draw from across her full catalog to illustrate that thread.

The tour has unfolded across multiple legs in 2026, beginning with an arena run in February and March that included sold-out stops at Madison Square Garden, the Chase Center in San Francisco, and arenas in Toronto, Philadelphia, Boston, and Los Angeles. The summer and fall amphitheater leg — running August through late September — shifts the tour to outdoor settings that better suit the acoustic and emotional intimacy of Carlile's music. Each date features a different special guest: Jensen McRae joins the Northeast dates, I'm With Her accompanies the Midwest swing, Gregory Alan Isakov opens in Nashville, The Head and The Heart support the Southeast and Texas shows, Stephen Wilson Jr. opens three nights at Red Rocks, and CMAT joins for the California dates including this Frost Amphitheater performance.

Frost Amphitheater at Stanford University is one of the Bay Area's most beloved outdoor concert venues. Originally built in 1937 as a gift from the Frost family, the amphitheater was extensively renovated and reopened in 2019 with modern infrastructure that preserved its natural, tree-shaded character. The venue's approximately 8,000-person capacity strikes a balance between festival-scale energy and the focused attention of a theater show. The surrounding campus landscape — rolling hills, mature trees, and wide pathways — makes attending a concert at Frost feel fundamentally different from the arena and shed experiences most major tours offer. For Carlile, whose live shows build from whispered ballads to full-band eruptions, the outdoor setting adds an elemental dimension that indoor venues cannot replicate.

The September 19 date is the only Northern California stop on the fall amphitheater leg, making it a singular opportunity for Bay Area fans. Verified resale tickets are available through BigStub, which has served the resale ticket market for over two decades with verified sellers, transparent pricing, no hidden fees, and a comprehensive buyer guarantee backed by dedicated customer support. Carlile's concerts routinely sell out, and the combination of an intimate outdoor venue, a career-defining tour, and a critically acclaimed new album makes this one of the most coveted tickets of the fall 2026 Bay Area concert calendar. The Frost Amphitheater performance also follows Carlile's sold-out arena show at the Chase Center in San Francisco earlier in the year, giving Bay Area fans who missed the March date a second chance to experience The Human Tour in a completely different setting — trading the arena's scale for the amphitheater's intimate natural beauty and open sky.

How to Buy Brandi Carlile Frost Amphitheater Tickets

Where can I buy Brandi Carlile tickets for the Frost Amphitheater show?

Tickets may be available through the Stanford Live box office, Ticketmaster, and authorized primary sellers. Visit brandicarlile.com/tour for official tour information and links. Verified resale tickets are also available on BigStub, a trusted third-party marketplace with no hidden fees and a buyer guarantee.

When is Brandi Carlile performing at Frost Amphitheater?

The concert is scheduled for September 19, 2026, with special guest CMAT. Doors typically open in the early evening for outdoor amphitheater shows. Check the Stanford Live website for the exact schedule and gate times.

What should I know about Frost Amphitheater?

Frost Amphitheater is an outdoor venue on the Stanford University campus in Stanford, California. The venue holds approximately 8,000 attendees in a natural bowl setting surrounded by trees. Parking is available on campus and the venue is accessible from Highway 101 and Interstate 280. The outdoor setting means weather-appropriate clothing is recommended for evening shows. Seating options typically include reserved sections closer to the stage and general admission lawn areas further back.

Are resale tickets for Brandi Carlile legitimate?

When purchased through a reputable platform, absolutely. BigStub verifies every seller on its marketplace and backs each transaction with a buyer guarantee. With over 20 years of trusted operation and the highest Trustpilot rating in the ticket resale industry, BigStub provides a secure and transparent purchasing experience with dedicated customer service.

What if I need to resell my Brandi Carlile tickets?

Verified resale marketplaces allow ticket holders to list their seats for other fans. Review the terms of your original purchase for any transfer restrictions before listing tickets for resale.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brandi Carlile at Frost Amphitheater

What is The Human Tour?

The Human Tour is Brandi Carlile's 2026 global concert tour supporting her eighth studio album, Returning To Myself. The tour began with an arena leg in February 2026 and expanded into a summer and fall amphitheater run across North America, featuring rotating special guests at each stop.

When is Brandi Carlile playing at Frost Amphitheater?

Brandi Carlile performs at Frost Amphitheater in Stanford, California on September 19, 2026, with special guest CMAT.

Who is the opening act for Brandi Carlile at Frost Amphitheater?

CMAT, the Irish singer-songwriter known for her genre-blending style of country, pop, and folk, joins Brandi Carlile as the special guest for the Bay Area date at Frost Amphitheater.

Where is Frost Amphitheater located?

Frost Amphitheater is on the Stanford University campus in Stanford, California, approximately 35 miles south of San Francisco. It is accessible from Highway 101 and Interstate 280, with campus parking available for concert attendees.

How big is Frost Amphitheater?

Frost Amphitheater holds approximately 8,000 attendees in an outdoor natural bowl setting surrounded by trees. The venue was renovated and reopened in 2019 with modern infrastructure while preserving its historic character.

What album is Brandi Carlile touring behind?

The Human Tour celebrates Returning To Myself, released October 2025 on Interscope and Lost Highway Records. The album debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200 and was critically acclaimed as one of Carlile's most reflective and philosophically engaged works.

How many Grammys has Brandi Carlile won?

Brandi Carlile has won eleven Grammy Awards from twenty-eight nominations, spanning categories including Album of the Year for In These Silent Days, Song of the Year for The Joke, and awards in country, Americana, rock, and pop categories.

Is Frost Amphitheater an outdoor venue?

Yes, Frost Amphitheater is a fully outdoor venue. Concertgoers should dress for evening weather conditions, as temperatures can drop after sunset in the Bay Area. The venue features both reserved seating and general admission lawn areas.

Are there other Brandi Carlile Bay Area dates?

The September 19 Frost Amphitheater show is the only Northern California stop on the summer and fall amphitheater leg of The Human Tour. An earlier arena date at the Chase Center in San Francisco took place in March 2026 during the tour's first leg.

Who else is on The Human Tour?

The tour features rotating special guests across different dates, including Jensen McRae, I'm With Her, Gregory Alan Isakov, The Head and The Heart, Stephen Wilson Jr., and CMAT. Each artist joins for specific stretches of the tour.

Can I bring food or drinks to Frost Amphitheater?

Venue policies on outside food and beverages vary. Check the Stanford Live website for the most up-to-date information on what is permitted inside Frost Amphitheater. Concessions are typically available on-site.

What is BigStub?

BigStub is a third-party ticket resale marketplace with over 20 years of experience connecting buyers with verified sellers. Every transaction is backed by a buyer guarantee with no hidden fees and dedicated customer service. BigStub holds the highest Trustpilot rating in the ticket resale industry.