Folk music legend Judy Collins is currently touring the United States and beyond on what has been billed as a farewell tour, though she has not yet announced a definitive end date for the performances. The tour, titled “Sweet Judy Blue Eyes Farewell Tour 2026-2027,” began on July 4 and includes a performance at the Ford in Hollywood on Friday night, co-headlined by folk-rock artist Bruce Cockburn. Additional tour dates feature opening acts including Richard Thompson, Amanda Shires, Rosanne Cash, and Mary Chapin Carpenter.
At 87 years old, Collins continues to maintain an active performance schedule, stating she typically performs approximately 100 shows annually. She explained that the decision to undertake a farewell tour comes after 67 years of performing, though she emphasized that other commitments have factored into the timing. Collins is currently working on writing two new books and developing a Broadway stage show for which she has composed all the music. When asked whether the tour genuinely represents a final farewell, Collins confirmed it is indeed a farewell tour, noting that she believes such a tour is appropriate at this stage of her career, even if the exact conclusion remains undefined.
Collins indicated that her passion for touring remains strong, particularly her enjoyment of travel and the road lifestyle—aspects of performing that many artists find challenging. She attributed this enthusiasm partly to early experiences touring with her father as a child. Her setlists vary nightly and typically include well-known covers spanning her six-decade career, such as works by Leonard Cohen, Stephen Sondheim, and Joni Mitchell, alongside material from her 2022 album “Spellbound,” which marked the first album on which she wrote every song. During performances, Collins has incorporated a meaningful ritual involving roses and the song “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” following “Amazing Grace,” which she describes as her nightly political statement.
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