There has been a lot of speculation recently about whether Frank Ocean will be going on tour in the near future. Ocean has cultivated a devoted fanbase eager to see the elusive singer live, but he has also developed a reputation for taking long breaks between projects and rarely performing. In this article, we’ll analyze the evidence and see if we can determine if Frank Ocean is likely to announce a tour soon.
Background on Frank Ocean
Frank Ocean first rose to prominence as a member of the hip hop collective Odd Future in the late 2000s. He released his critically acclaimed debut mixtape ‘Nostalgia, Ultra’ in 2011 and followed it up in 2012 with his first studio album ‘Channel Orange’. The album was a huge commercial and critical success, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 and going on to win Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 2013 Grammy Awards.
After ‘Channel Orange’, Ocean took a four year hiatus before reemerging in 2016 with the visual album ‘Endless’ followed by his sophomore studio album ‘Blonde’ the next day. ‘Blonde’ debuted at number one in the US and was highly acclaimed.
Since then, Ocean has kept a low profile, releasing occasional singles but no new albums or tours. His reclusive nature has only added to his mystique for fans.
Evidence Ocean may tour soon
There are a few reasons fans are hopeful Ocean could hit the road again soon:
Increased activity
After years away from the spotlight, Ocean has been ramping up his activity lately. In 2021 he was a headliner at a number of major festivals like Coachella, Primavera Sound, and Parklife. He also launched a luxury company called Homer. This uptick in activity suggests he may be gearing up for more public-facing projects like a tour.
Demand for live shows
Every time Ocean takes the stage these days, tickets sell out nearly instantaneously. The appetite amongst fans to see the elusive star live is immense. His festival sets over the past year have only whetted their appetite for a full-scale Ocean tour.
New music on the way?
In a February 2023 interview with i-D Magazine, Ocean hinted that he’s working on a small bag of music and it may arrive this year. It’s quite possible he could tour behind a new album or project. Previous tours of his like the ‘You’re Not Dead… 2013 Tour’ supported album releases.
Year | Tour | Details |
---|---|---|
2012 | Channel Orange Tour | Supported Channel Orange album |
2013 | You’re Not Dead… 2013 Tour | Supported Channel Orange album |
Reasons Ocean may not tour soon
At the same time, there are factors indicating Ocean fans could be waiting a while longer for a live show:
He’s turned down offers
Ocean was reportedly offered $3 million by promoters Goldenvoice to headline Coachella in 2023 but declined. This suggests he may not be interested in booking concerts, even at extremely lucrative rates.
Prefers secrecy
A big tour seems at odds with Ocean’s secretive personality. He goes dark for years at a time and avoids hype cycles for his music releases. Organizing a full-fledged tour requires months of advanced planning and promotion, which doesn’t align with Ocean’s mystique.
Dislikes performing
In a 2016 New York Times interview, Ocean confessed he dislikes performing and finds it draining. This could mean that even if he’s releasing new music, he may avoid touring extensively behind it.
Past cancellations
Infamously, Ocean had a string of festival set cancellations in summer 2017 after the release of ‘Blonde’. While circumstances may be different now, it’s a reminder of his unpredictable relationship with live shows.
Conclusion
Determining whether Frank Ocean will actually hit the road for a tour in the near future is tricky. There are certainly some promising signs like his increased activity level and the demand amongst fans to see Ocean live. At the same time, his idiosyncratic personality means nothing is guaranteed. He has resisted opportunities to tour so far and may continue doing things his own way on his own timeline.
Overall there is reason for guarded optimism that Ocean could mount a tour sometime in the next year or two. But it’s far from a sure thing. For now, Frank Ocean fans may just have to hope for the best and patiently wait for an announcement. Given his track record though, they should be prepared to be patient.
What types of venues could Frank Ocean tour?
If Frank Ocean were to embark on a tour, here are some of the venues he could potentially book:
Arenas
Given his superstar status, Ocean could easily fill large arenas holding 15,000-20,000 people in major cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Past tours of artists with similarly devoted fan bases like Harry Styles have done huge business booking arenas.
Amphitheaters
For markets that can’t quite support an arena tour, outdoor amphitheaters that accommodate 5,000-15,000 could make sense. These open air venues may also appeal more to Ocean’s artsy vibe.
Theaters
Ocean could opt for more intimate theater tours focused on bigger cities hitting venues like Radio City Music Hall in New York and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Theaters typically hold 2,000-6,000 people.
Festivals
Rather than his own tour, Ocean could stick to booking one-off performances at major festivals he’s already played like Coachella, Governor’s Ball, and Pitchfork Music Festival. This allows him to play live on his own terms.
One-off shows
Given how sporadic Ocean’s live performances have been, it’s possible he may just do a handful of special shows in certain cities rather than a full national/world tour. This lets him maintain his enigmatic profile.
How much could Frank Ocean tour tickets cost?
Pricing for potential Frank Ocean tour tickets could vary greatly depending on the scale of show and location. Here are some example price ranges:
Type of Show | Sample Ticket Price Range |
---|---|
Large Arena Show (New York, Los Angeles) | $75 – $500+ |
Midsized Ampitheater Show (Nashville, Atlanta) | $50 – $250 |
Theater Show (Washington DC, Chicago) | $75 – $200 |
Festival Appearance (Coachella, Governors Ball) | $300 – $800+ |
As you can see, tickets to see Frank Ocean live don’t come cheap. supply and demand dictates prices, and demand to see Ocean perform is extremely high while his limited tour schedule keeps supply low. That leads to fans paying premium prices whenever the opportunity to see Ocean live arises.
How accessible are Frank Ocean concerts for fans?
There are a few factors that make attending Frank Ocean concerts quite difficult for the average fan:
High ticket costs
As covered already, Ocean concert tickets carry premium price tags that price many lower-income fans out. Unless buying resale tickets at even higher costs, most can only afford tickets to his shows as a special splurge.
Exclusive presales
Ocean offers presale ticket access to fans with certain credit cards or mobile phone providers. This favors wealthier established fans over younger or international supporters who can’t qualify for presale perks.
Limited tour dates
Ocean’s sporadic touring means he’ll play a limited number of shows in a concentrated group of major metro areas like New York and L.A. Fans who don’t live near a tour stop have to pay big bucks for travel.
High resale demand
Because Ocean tours so rarely, sold out shows inevitably lead to rampant resale ticket speculation on sites like StubHub. That requires fans to pay inflated 2X or 3X ticket prices to attend.
So in summary, Frank Ocean’s selective touring and appeal to a high-end audience means his shows are mainly accessible to wealthier hardcore fans. Casual listeners or budget-conscious supporters will find it extremely difficult to get into Ocean concerts.
Setlist Predictions for a Frank Ocean Tour
If Frank Ocean heads out on tour soon, what kinds of songs might he perform? Here are some educated guesses:
From Nostalgia, Ultra
As his breakthrough mixtape, Nostalgia, Ultra would likely provide a few setlist selections:
– “Swim Good”
– “Novacane”
– “Strawberry Swing”
From Channel Orange
Ocean’s beloved debut studio album would surely be heavily featured:
– “Thinkin Bout You”
– “Pyramids”
– “Sweet Life”
– “Lost”
– “Super Rich Kids”
From Blonde
Blonde’s artsy R&B sound lends itself perfectly to live shows:
– “Nikes”
– “Ivy”
– “Pink + White”
– “Solo”
– “Self Control”
From Endless
Endless is more experimental but could provide live renditions of:
– “At Your Best (You Are Love)”
– “Commes Des Garcons”
New Music/One-Off Collabs?
Ocean could pepper in new tracks or surprise collaborations with artists like Tyler, The Creator or Andre 3000. Fans will be hoping for new material.
Covers/Remixes
Covers have been a staple of Ocean’s live show, often songs that inspired his work like The Eagles’ “Hotel California” or Coldplay’s “Strawberry Swing.” Expect some covers along with Ocean’s originals.
Impact of a Frank Ocean Tour
If Frank Ocean does return to the road, it would have an enormous impact:
Critically praised shows
Ocean is renowned for his captivating live performances, even though they are few and far between. Expect rave reviews from critics marveling at his long-awaited concert return.
Thrilled fans
Given how long they’ve waited to see Ocean live, fans would be elated at finally getting to experience his music in concert. It would be a cathartic, emotional experience for many.
Increased album sales
Past Ocean tours have coincided with albums that saw sales bumps following his concerts. A new tour would likely boost streams and purchases of his catalog.
Huge ticket sales
Despite high prices, Ocean tickets would immediately sell out. Total gross tour revenues could easily reach 9 figures.
Cultural moment
Seeing the notoriously private star back on stage would feel like a major cultural event. His tour would dominate discussions and headlines.
Though nothing is guaranteed, a Frank Ocean tour in 2023 or 2024 seems overdue. If it happens, it will undoubtedly be a huge deal based on his rare performances and devoted fanbase. Hopefully the wait for a live return won’t extend much longer.