55 Years After Their First Album, Southern Rock Icons Update Fans on 2026 Farewell Tour
Photo by chascar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Fans of Southern rock are being given more chances to say goodbye. More than five decades after releasing their first album, Little Feat has announced an expanded schedule for what the band is calling its final major tour.
The group first revealed plans for “The Last Farewell Tour” in November, with shows set to begin in April 2026. Since then, interest has remained strong, leading the band to add 19 more dates to the run. The tour now opens April 10 in Orlando, Florida, and stretches well into the summer.
Little Feat shared the update through an Instagram post, confirming that the added dates begin May 26 in Ocean City, Maryland. The expanded routing includes stops in New Haven, Los Angeles, and several other cities, before the tour wraps up on August 22 in Denver, Colorado.
A Longer Goodbye for a Lasting Band
In the caption accompanying the post, founding keyboardist Bill Payne reflected on what the farewell tour means to the band and its audience. His words suggested a slow, thoughtful goodbye rather than a sudden exit.
“My hope is ‘The Last Farewell Tour’ resembles a long passionate kiss, a prolonged warm hug, giving us all time to embrace this special moment to remember our collective past with those here and others departed but still in our hearts,” Payne wrote.
“This is a celebration that acknowledges gratitude to all for an unforgettable journey, mingled with joy, sadness, but no regrets,” he continued. “Let’s allow some time for all of this to play out. We still have a lot to say and share. All endings suggest new beginnings.”
View this post on Instagram
Honoring the Past While Still Playing
When Little Feat first announced the farewell tour last fall, the band also shared a special release tied to its history. They unveiled “Feathers and a Smile,” a previously unheard song written by late co-founder, lead singer, and guitarist Lowell George.
The track also features vocals from George’s daughter, Inara George, adding a personal layer to the band’s ongoing story. The release reminded fans that Little Feat’s legacy continues to influence the present lineup and its music.
In a November interview with Rolling Stone, Payne explained why the decision to call it a farewell took time. “Everybody and their brother is retiring now,” he said. “But I’ll be honest, I resisted it at first.”
Age, Touring, and What Comes Next
Payne spoke openly about the realities facing the band. “I’ll be 77 in March, and [guitarist] Fred Tackett is 80 and [bassist] Kenny [Gradney] will be 76 next year. But what’s the rush on farewelling this thing?” he said.
He also stressed that the tour does not mean a sudden stop. “It’s not an immediate cutoff,” Payne explained. “If it were, I would have said, ‘No, absolutely not.’” He added that stepping away from constant touring could open the door to residencies, special events, or playing with other musicians.
Tickets for Little Feat’s summer 2026 dates go on sale this Friday at littlefeat.net/tour.
