Why your favourite artist isn’t touring in your city

A growing number of top-tier artists—from Harry Styles and Beyoncé to Bad Bunny—are replacing sprawling global tours with extended residencies in single cities, a shift driven by exhaustion, burnout, and the desire for creative control. While these residencies allow performers to craft more immersive, personalized shows and reduce the physical toll of constant travel, they also raise concerns about accessibility and rising ticket prices. Fans in smaller or distant cities are increasingly left out, forced to travel and spend more to attend, with some artists even increasing prices despite the lower logistical costs of residencies. Molly Perella, a BBC reporter, explains that while residencies aren’t new—Las Vegas has hosted them for decades—the current trend reflects a strategic pivot toward sustainability and artistic longevity, not a permanent replacement for world tours. Still, the model risks deepening inequality in access, with the emotional and financial burden falling disproportionately on fans. Ultimately, this shift isn’t just about convenience—it’s a redefinition of what touring means in the modern music economy.