What is a tribute band?

The hit Adele concert tribute show Always, Adele gives you the insider scoop on why tribute bands are so popular.

Always, Adele performs their authentic Adele concert tribute show at an outdoor venue in California

You may have seen a performance by a tribute band in your area and wondered, what is that? And maybe better yet, why would musicians want to exclusively perform the music of another artist?

Tribute bands have seen a huge boost in popularity over the past decade. But why would people go see a tribute band rather than the real deal? Here are just a few reasons why tribute shows have become such a popular attraction for music fans:

1. The artist isn't performing anymore. This is a fairly common one. Some of your favorite bands from, say, the 50s through the 80s either may not be around anymore or have simply stopped touring. So if you're a fan of their music, seeing a tribute band can help fill that void of not being able to see the real deal and still enjoy the music you love.

2. The artist is touring, but tickets are pricey. It's no secret that concert tickets have become increasingly expensive over the years. We went to see Adele's concert live in Las Vegas in June 2023 and it cost us $700 per person just to sit in the mezzanine! Thankfully we were able to cover that cost and we absolutely loved seeing her live, but unfortunately that kind of price is just too far out of reach for many fans. Seeing a tribute show can often be the next best thing if seeing your favorite artist isn't in alignment your pocketbook.

3. The artist isn't playing anywhere near you. This ties in with the point above - unless you live near a major metropolis, your favorite artists may not even playing anywhere near you when they tour. Sure you could hop on a plane or take a roadtrip and find a hotel, but that all adds up pretty quickly on top of ticket prices. This was a big reason many fans weren't able to see Adele during her Vegas residency, as the overall travel costs were just too high.

4. You just love the artist and want to hear their music as much as possible. We've had folks come to our concerts who said they went to see the Adele concert in Vegas once or twice (some even flew to Germany to see her in August 2024), and they still come to our shows to get their Adele fix. They just love the music so much and want to hear it live any time they have the chance. These kinds of fans truly warm our heart, and we're thrilled that they come to see us!

What about the musicians?

The Always, Adele concert tribute show band performs at a theatre in Temecula, CA

It may make sense why a fan of an artist would want to go see a tribute to an artist they love, but what about the musicians? Why would a musician choose to join a tribute band? Here are a few reasons why we and many other musicians enjoy being in the tribute world:

1. We love the artist, too. Most tribute bands start out because the musicians are fans of and/or were inspired by that artist themselves. I remember starting to listen to Adele in college and have followed her career ever since. I loved her soulful voice and big belty anthems. As someone who's always gravitated toward those types of singers, when the opportunity came up to be a part of an Adele tribute, it just felt right. I love her music and I love singing it, which makes my job as a tribute artist thoroughly enjoyable.

2. There's a demand for the artist. One of the great things from a music business standpoint about tribute bands is that there's already a built-in audience. Even if people haven't heard of your band, they've likely heard of the artist you're tributing. If they're a fan of that artist, they'll likely be more inclined to come check out your show. This makes building a fan base quicker and easier than performing original music (which is also a very important endeavor, don't get me wrong). The more you build your fan base, the more shows you can book and begin to expand your tribute band's reach. For example, we sold out a show in Minnesota in February 2025 on a Thursday night. It was our first time playing in the Midwest, so how could we sell out a venue in an area we've never played before? Because the fans are hungry for Adele's music. It had been a decade since Adele performed in the Midwest, and even then many fans may not have seen her then. Having our tribute show come to their part of the country to perform this music was a chance for fans to finally experience Adele's music live.

3. It's good work for the band members. The more successful a tribute band is, the bigger, better, and more consistent the work is. For gigging musicians, being in a solid band that's booked and busy is a great opportunity. We're fortunate to have professional touring musicians in our band, and we always do our best to take good care of them!

4. It's just fun! I can't speak for all tribute performers out there, but for myself, I became a theatre kid in high school and continued to study it through college. On top of that, I've always loved trying to imitate singers to get a sense of their vocal style an how they sound the way they do. Between these two aspects of my personality, I thoroughly enjoy being a tribute artist. I also tend to be very detail-oriented, so I put a lot of thought into my Adele look - everything from the wig style, the cut of the dress I wear, the shape and color of the nails. to the decision to be shoeless during performances (which Adele does in her concerts). Honestly, being a tribute artist is kind of a singing theatre kid's dream come true - at least it is for me.

Have you been a tribute show before? Let us know what your experience was like!