Stone Temple Pilots 2026: Tour Buzz, Setlists, Rumors

Stone Temple Pilots are gearing up again. Here’s what fans need to know about tours, setlists, rumors, and how the classic songs hit in 2026.

You can feel it bubbling up again: Stone Temple Pilots are back in the group chat, on your algorithm, and in your "wait, are they touring near me?" searches. Every time rock nostalgia spikes, STP suddenly become the band everyone remembers they love. Fans are swapping bootlegs, debating the best version of "Plush", and hunting for clues about the next wave of shows.

If you have that itch to scream along to "Interstate Love Song" in a sweaty crowd again, you are absolutely not alone. Whether you saw them in the 90s or discovered them through a TikTok edit last week, 2026 is quietly shaping up to be another big year in the Stone Temple Pilots universe.

The Backstory: Breaking News in Detail

So what is actually happening with Stone Temple Pilots right now? Over the last few years, the band have settled into a new chapter that sits somewhere between legacy act and still-active rock band. With Jeff Gutt holding down vocals since late 2017, STP have shifted from "reunion curiosity" to a consistent live force. Recent festival posters, rock-cruise lineups, and club dates show one pattern: whenever rock fans want that 90s punch with enough polish to still feel sharp, STP keep getting the call.

In the past month, fan circles and rock news outlets have been buzzing about fresh tour chatter tied to updated dates on the band’s official site and scattered venue announcements. While not every date gets a massive press release, local promoters and ticketing sites often drop information first. That means fans on Reddit and X (Twitter) are screenshotting presale pages, comparing venue capacities, and trying to piece together the shape of the next touring run city by city.

For US and UK fans specifically, the key story is continuity: Stone Temple Pilots have shown they are willing to do both nostalgia-friendly package tours and more intimate headline sets. In recent years you might have seen them co-headlining with other alt-rock staples, or anchoring 90s-themed festivals alongside bands from the grunge and post-grunge era. That format is likely to continue, because it lets them hit a mix of amphitheaters, mid-size arenas and outdoor stages without the pressure of carrying the entire night alone.

Behind the scenes, interviews the band have given to rock magazines and podcasts over the last few cycles point to a few consistent goals: keep the catalog alive on stage, keep writing when it feels right, and stay respectful of the band’s history without getting trapped by it. Guitarist Dean DeLeo has often talked about chasing feel and tone rather than just volume, and that shows in how songs like "Big Empty" and "Creep" have evolved live. Drummer Eric Kretz has mentioned the importance of groove and space, especially in the Purple and Tiny Music era material.

For fans, the implication is simple but important: STP are not just cashing a nostalgia check. They are tightening their show, rethinking setlists every tour, and trying to give you something that feels like a proper rock concert, not just a jukebox run-through. As newer rock listeners discover them through playlists and algorithmic radio, the band have every reason to keep the live machine rolling, especially across the US and Europe where their catalog still sits firmly in rock radio rotations.

Even when there is no massive "new studio album tomorrow" headline, there is movement: anniversary chatter around classic albums, festival rumors, and discussions about deep-cut performances are driving a steady wave of interest. That is exactly the kind of low-key but powerful momentum that often turns into surprise announcements and limited runs that sell out faster than casual fans expect.

The Setlist & Show: What to Expect

If you are wondering what a 2026 Stone Temple Pilots show actually looks and feels like, think of it as a high-energy highlight reel of 90s rock with enough curveballs to keep hardcore fans happy. Recent setlists from the last touring cycles have leaned heavily on the first three albums, which is exactly what most crowds want.

You can almost guarantee these songs will show up on any given night:

• "Plush" – The sing-along moment. Whether it is in the middle of the set or closing the main portion, this is the one that gets every single phone in the air.
• "Interstate Love Song" – A staple from Purple, often one of the loudest crowd reactions of the night. That opening riff hits and the whole place shifts.
• "Creep" – The slow-burn anthem that lets everyone yell the chorus and catch their breath at the same time.
• "Big Empty" – The vibe change track. The slide guitar and moody groove usually mark the point where the show moves into a more cinematic space.
• "Vasoline" – Short, punchy, still lethal live. It keeps the pit moving and the rock radio crowd extremely happy.
• "Sex Type Thing" – Often placed late in the set or as an encore punch, it taps the heaviest side of the debut.

Beyond the obvious hits, recent tours have sprinkled in songs like "Dead & Bloated", "Crackerman", "Down", "Trippin' on a Hole in a Paper Heart", "Lady Picture Show" and sometimes deep cuts that send older fans into all-caps mode on social media. The band know their Reddit threads; they are aware of which songs people beg for every cycle.

Vocally, Jeff Gutt has leaned into a respectful balance: he honors Scott Weiland’s phrasing and melodies but adds his own slight twist rather than doing a flat impersonation. Live reviews from the last few years highlight his stamina and stage presence, especially on harder-hitting tracks like "Piece of Pie" and "Sin". He moves enough to keep the energy up without trying to carbon-copy Weiland’s famously chaotic frontman style.

Sonically, the band sit in that sweet spot between tight and loose. Dean DeLeo’s guitar tone still cuts like classic 90s alt-rock, with warm crunch and clear leads. Robert DeLeo’s bass fills out the low end in a way that reminds you how many STP songs are secretly driven by bass hooks (listen closely to "Interstate Love Song" and "Wicked Garden" for proof). Eric Kretz keeps the drums locked but unflashy, giving the songs their weight without over-playing.

The atmosphere at recent shows tends to feel like a reunion across generations. You get fans who bought Core on CD standing next to people who discovered STP through Spotify rock playlists or even through parents’ vinyl collections. There are battle jackets and vintage shirts, but there are also teens and early 20-somethings mouthing every word. When the band hit a run like "Vasoline" ? "Big Empty" ? "Interstate Love Song", you can feel the entire room go from nostalgia to something closer to catharsis.

Production-wise, expect solid but not over-the-top staging: strong lighting, clear sound, and occasional visuals that nod to the band’s iconic video era without trying to turn the show into a full-blown arena pop spectacle. Stone Temple Pilots live in 2026 is still about the instruments, the songs, and the shared scream on those choruses you have known forever.

Rumor Mill: What Fans Are Speculating

Where there is a classic band and a touring cycle, there is always a rumor mill. Stone Temple Pilots fans are no exception, and recent chatter online has been loud.

On Reddit, you will find recurring threads asking the same big question: Is a new STP album actually coming? Some fans point out that the band’s last studio releases showed they still have ideas, and that extended breaks between records are normal for veteran rock acts. Others argue that the smartest move is to lean fully into touring and occasional singles rather than a full album cycle. Until the band explicitly confirm anything in interviews or with official announcements, all of this stays in speculation territory.

Another hot topic: anniversary sets. With album milestones constantly hitting (from Core to Tiny Music...), fans love the idea of full-album performances. Recent years have seen other 90s bands doing start-to-finish plays of classic records, and some STP fans are convinced it is only a matter of time before the band do a dedicated Purple or Core night in select cities. A few venue listings mentioning "special set" language have only added fuel, even when that phrase can mean anything from a longer show to an extra-deep encore.

Ticket discourse is its own sub-genre of drama. STP ticket prices have generally sat below the "legacy arena act" tier, but people on r/music and rock Twitter still debate the value of club versus amphitheater shows. Some fans argue that seeing them in a 2,000-cap room is unbeatable and worth a higher per-ticket cost, while others prefer cheaper lawn seats and package tours where you get multiple bands for roughly the same money. Service fees, presale codes, VIP upgrades and resale markups always come under fire, even though those issues hit almost every touring band now.

On TikTok and Instagram Reels, the vibe is more emotional than analytical. Clips of "Plush" and "Interstate Love Song" choruses get stitched over roadtrip videos, breakup edits, and 90s-core fashion montages. A smaller but vocal slice of younger fans have started debating whether STP belong in the same "canon" as Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. You will see takes ranging from "they are underrated kings of melody" to "they were always radio-rock". Either way, the debate keeps their name circulating far beyond die-hard circles.

Another recurring fan theory: guest appearances and surprise collabs. Every time a rock festival lineup drops with multiple 90s heavy-hitters, people start guessing who might jump on stage with whom. The idea of members of STP popping up with other alt legends for a cover or two is catnip to setlist obsessives. While it does happen occasionally at festivals, it is never something you can bank on, but that doesn’t stop people from scanning every Instagram Story and backstage selfie for clues.

If you filter out the noise, the core fan mood in 2026 looks like this: grateful that Stone Temple Pilots are still an active, touring band; always hungry for deeper cuts in the set; cautiously hopeful about new music; and fiercely protective of the band’s legacy. That mix of realism and passion is exactly why every whisper of a new date or project hits the timeline so hard.

Key Dates & Facts at a Glance

Some quick-hit info to keep your planning and playlists sharp. Always cross-check the latest updates via the official site and your local venue, because details can change.

Type	Item	Date / Period	Notes
Album Release	Core	1992	Breakthrough debut featuring "Plush", "Creep", "Sex Type Thing"
Album Release	Purple	1994	Includes "Interstate Love Song", "Vasoline", "Big Empty"
Album Release	Tiny Music... Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop	1996	More experimental; fan favorites like "Trippin' on a Hole in a Paper Heart"
Vocal Era	Jeff Gutt joins	Late 2017	New vocalist era for tours and recent recordings
Typical Tour Window	North America runs	Spring / Summer	Outdoor festivals, amphitheaters, rock cruises, and club dates
Typical Tour Window	UK / Europe shows	Summer / Early Fall	Often tied to festival season; not guaranteed every year
Setlist Staples	"Plush", "Interstate Love Song", "Creep"	Every tour	Very high chance of being played; crowd-defining moments
Tickets	Official tour page	Ongoing	Always start with the band’s site before hitting resellers

FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Stone Temple Pilots

Who are Stone Temple Pilots in 2026?

Stone Temple Pilots in 2026 are a seasoned, road-tested rock band built around the original instrumental core of Dean DeLeo (guitar), Robert DeLeo (bass), and Eric Kretz (drums), with Jeff Gutt on vocals. They carry a catalog that helped define 90s rock radio, but they are not frozen in time. This current lineup focuses on delivering tight, emotionally charged live shows that give full weight to the classics while still allowing room for songs from the newer era when the setlist and audience energy allow it.

What does a typical Stone Temple Pilots setlist look like right now?

Expect a heavy lean on the first three albums: Core, Purple, and Tiny Music.... That means high odds of hearing "Plush", "Interstate Love Song", "Creep", "Big Empty", "Vasoline", "Sex Type Thing", and "Trippin' on a Hole in a Paper Heart" almost every night. Around those anchors, the band rotate in deeper cuts like "Crackerman", "Wicked Garden", "Dead & Bloated", "Down" and occasionally later-era tracks. The overall shape of the show often starts with punchy rockers, dips into moodier and more melodic mid-tempo songs, then ramps back up for a big finish and encore.

Where can you find the latest Stone Temple Pilots tour dates and tickets?

Your safest first stop is always the official tour page on the band’s website. That is where you will typically see confirmed dates, cities, and ticketing links before or alongside venue and ticketing-site announcements. From there, you can branch out to local venues, major ticketing platforms, and, if necessary, verified resale options. Following the band on social media can also help you catch presale codes and early-announcement teasers.

When should you buy tickets for Stone Temple Pilots shows?

If you want floor or close-up spots in smaller venues, buy as soon as the general sale goes live. For amphitheaters and larger festivals, you have a bit more breathing room, but the best seats and VIP packages still move fast. Fans on Reddit often recommend setting alerts with ticketing platforms or using calendar reminders for onsale times to avoid missing the opening rush. Also remember that extra tickets sometimes pop up closer to the show date as production holds are released, so if you miss out early, keep checking in the weeks leading up to the gig.

Why do Stone Temple Pilots still matter to younger fans?

Beyond pure nostalgia, Stone Temple Pilots survive in 2026 because the songwriting holds up. Tracks like "Plush" and "Interstate Love Song" hit the sweet spot between heavy and melodic, which works just as well in a modern playlist next to newer alternative and indie acts. The band’s genre-blending side, especially on Tiny Music..., feels surprisingly aligned with the way Gen Z listeners jump across styles. Add in the constant resurfacing of 90s aesthetics across TikTok and Instagram, and you have a climate where STP’s sound and visuals feel fresh again instead of dated.

Younger fans also tend to discover them through soundtracks, algorithmic playlists, and parents’ record shelves. Once that first hook lands, the catalog is deep enough to keep people exploring. A lot of newer rock and emo acts quietly pull from the same mix of crunch, groove and big choruses that STP built their name on, so discovering the originals can feel like finding the missing link.

What is the best way to prepare for your first STP concert?

If this is your first time seeing Stone Temple Pilots, treat it like a crash course in alt-rock history with a modern crowd. Build a playlist that covers the big singles plus a handful of deeper songs that often show up live: "Plush", "Interstate Love Song", "Vasoline", "Big Empty", "Creep", "Sex Type Thing", "Wicked Garden", "Dead & Bloated", "Crackerman" and "Trippin' on a Hole in a Paper Heart" are a solid starter set.

Check the venue’s rules about bags, cameras and entry times so you are not stuck in a slow security line while the opening band is playing. If it is a club or theater, arriving early is your best route to a good spot without a VIP upgrade. Ear protection is smart, especially if you like to stand near the speakers; you do not want to leave the show with ringing ears that last for days. Most importantly, be ready to actually sing. STP crowds are loud, and the more you lean into those choruses, the better the entire room feels.

How can you follow real-time fan reactions during the tour?

For live reactions, Reddit’s rock and band-specific threads, X (Twitter) hashtags under the band’s name, and Instagram Stories from venues on show nights are your best friends. Search the city and band name together to find people posting from the line, inside the venue, or right after the encore. On YouTube, full-set uploads and multi-cam fan edits appear quickly after key dates, especially festivals.

If you want to avoid spoilers, mute the band name or certain song titles on social platforms until after your show. If you are fine with knowing the setlist in advance, following fan chatter can help you time your drink or merch runs so you do not miss that one track you have been waiting to hear since high school.

Ultimately, whether you are a day-one STP lifer or someone who just discovered "Big Empty" in a playlist yesterday, the 2026 version of Stone Temple Pilots gives you a straightforward offer: loud guitars, big hooks, a crowd that cares, and a catalog that still hits in real time. As long as that equation works, the demand for more dates, more rumors, and more nights under those riffs is not going anywhere.

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