Brent Cobb and Nikki Lane have confirmed a string of co-headlining dates for 2021. Called the Soapbox Derby Tour, the run kicks off on Aug. 20 in Chicago, Ill., and wraps with a show on Sept. 9 in Atlanta, Ga.

"We all ought to want to be Nikki Lane when we grow up," says Cobb of his soon-to-be tourmate (quote via Rolling Stone). "She's just a boss at anything she does. So, when the idea for the first full-band tour since the pandemic came up, there was no one else I could imagine sharing the moment with.

"I suppose we're cut from a similar cloth, and that family feeling amongst the crowd is what I'm looking the most forward to at these shows," he adds. "It's gonna be something really special."

For her part, Lane agrees with Cobb that a sense of family between artist and audience is at the intersection of both of their musical identities.

"I liken sharing a stage or a song with Brent Cobb to a holiday meal: It's something so familiar, but you just don't get to do it enough," she explains. "We're from the same neck of the woods, as they say. When we get together, we know how to have a good time, and we put on a good show.

"But that don't mean we might not just go off the rails for a moment. 'Cause we're swapping whiskey and tequila, telling stories and talking s--t -- and there's just no tellin' what might happen," Lane cautions.

Joining the 18-stop party as the opening act is singer-songwriter Andrew Combs.

Tickets for the Soapbox Derby Tour will go on sale on Thursday (June 17) at 10AM local time. Head to Cobb's website or Lane's website for more details.

Brent Cobb and Nikki Lane, 2021 Soapbox Derby Tour Dates:

Aug. 20 -- Chicago, Il. @ Thalia Hall
Aug. 21 -- Indianapolis, Ind. @ The Hi-Fi
Aug. 22 -- Louisville, Ky. @ Brown Foreman Amphitheatre
Aug. 23 -- Lexington, Ky. @ The Burl
Aug. 25 -- Cleveland, Ohio @ Beachland Ballroom & Tavern
Aug. 26 -- Pittsburgh, Pa. @ Thunderbird Café & Music Hall
Aug. 27 -- Philadelphia, Pa. @ Ardmore Music Hall
Aug. 28 -- Brooklyn, N.Y. @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Aug. 30 -- Boston, Mass. @ The Sinclair
Aug. 31 -- Washington, DC @ Union Stage
Sept. 1 -- Charlottesville, Va. @ Jefferson Theatre
Sept. 2 -- Isle of Palms, S.C. @ The Windjammer
Sept. 3 -- Wilmington, N.C. @ Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre
Sept. 4 -- Asheville, N.C. @ The Orange Peel
Sept. 5 -- Columbia, S.C. @ The Senate
Sept. 7 -- Charlotte, N.C. @ Neighborhood Theatre
Sept. 8 -- Athens, Ga. @ Georgia Theatre
Sept. 9 -- Atlanta, Ga. @ Variety Playhouse

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5 Hottest Country Tours of Summer 2021


There’s a lot to consider when making a list of the hottest tours of summer 2021, including star power, opening acts, venues and set lists. Add to that concerns and cautions as the country begins to emerge from a pandemic and that no one has seen live music in 14 months. It’s quite likely you’re craving live music like a drug that’s just out of reach ... or you’re scared shirtless to surround yourself with 10,000 fans indoors. 

All the emotions about reengaging with the live country music community are valid. While at first it seemed September would be start-up month, several tours on this Hot List begin in July and August at outdoor venues across America. The No. 3 tour and No. 1 tour on our list are mostly indoors, but both are banking on increased safety that comes from a majority of the population having the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Once those lights go down, all of these worries will be carried away by the buzz in the air (and maybe, from your cup). Find five total professionals on this list of Hot Summer Tours, each bringing a total stage show, plus several in-demand opening acts with a proven track record of live entertainment at the highest level. There’s no fat on any of these country tours — if you stick to the tailgate through an opener’s set, you’ll truly be missing something special. 

As always, let us know who you can’t wait to see on tour in 2021 via Twitter or email

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