Melissa Etheridge Unveils Empowering Single “Don’t You Want A Woman” and Announces 2026 “The Rise Tour”

Melissa Etheridge, the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and LGBTQ+ icon, embarks on an exciting new chapter with the release of her latest single “Don’t You Want A Woman” and the announcement of her 2026 “The Rise Tour”.

“Don’t You Want A Woman” marks Etheridge’s first major single in four years, produced in collaboration with Shooter Jennings and released through Sun Records. The song’s lyrics, brimming with energy and defiance, celebrate the multifaceted power and vibrancy of women. Etheridge, who has performed the song live during her summer tour with the Indigo Girls, describes it as a tribute to women’s strength and individuality:

“Women are some of my favorite people and I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want a woman in their life who is going to rock their world in every way,” Etheridge shared in a recent statement.

The track’s official music video amplifies this message, featuring members of the Kansas City Current, the National Women’s Soccer League’s top-ranked team. Filmed at CPKC Stadium, the first venue purpose-built for a professional women’s sports team, the video is a vibrant celebration of athleticism, community, and resilience.

The release of “Don’t You Want A Woman” is closely tied to Etheridge’s new partnership with the Kansas City Current. The club, which plays in the groundbreaking CPKC Stadium, will incorporate the song into its matchday experience and social media channels, turning it into an anthem for players and fans alike.

Etheridge, a Kansas native and lifelong advocate for women’s sports and LGBTQ+ visibility, will also serve as the “KC Baby Chant Leader” on November 2, igniting the crowd before kickoff in a moment designed to unify and energize the community.

Building on the momentum of her new single, Etheridge has announced her upcoming 2026 “The Rise Tour,” marking her much-anticipated return to major stages following a period of focused creative work and advocacy. While detailed tour dates and locations are expected in the coming weeks, early statements from Etheridge’s team indicate that the tour will feature a mix of classic hits and new material, offering fans both nostalgia and fresh inspiration.

Tour Dates Include:

March 26 - Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts - Detroit, MI
March 27 - Venue TBA - Pickering, ON
March 28 - The Vine at Del Lago Resort & Casino - Waterloo, NY
March 31 - Flynn Center for the Performing Arts - Burlington, VT
April 2 - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom - Hampton Beach, NH
April 3 - Stadium Theatre for the Performing Arts - Woonsocket, RI
April 4 - Merrill Auditorium - Portland, ME
April 8 - Plymouth Memorial Hall - Plymouth, MA
April 10 - Bergen Performing Arts Center - Englewood, NJ
April 11 - Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts - Patchogue, NY
April 12 – Bardavon 1869 Opera House - Poughkeepsie, NY
April 14 - The Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT
April 15 - Chevalier Theatre - Medford, MA
April 17 - Count Basie Center for the Arts - Red Bank, NJ
April 18 - XCite Center at Parx Casino - Bensalem, PA
April 19 - The Ramkat - Winston-Salem, NC
April 21 - Harvester Performance Center - Rocky Mount, VA
April 22 - Norton Center for the Arts - Danville, KY
April 24 – Venue TBA - Tulsa, OK
April 26 - ACL Live at The Moody Theater - Austin, TX
May 1 - The Factory - St. Louis, MO
May 2 - Four Winds Casino Resort - Silver Creek Event Center - New Buffalo, MI
May 3 - Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center - Carmel, IN
May 5 - Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead - Munhall, PA
May 6 - Troy Savings Bank Music Hall – Troy, NY
May 8 - Hershey Theatre - Hershey, PA
May 9 - Weldon Mills Theatre - Roanoke Rapids, NC

Etheridge has long been known for her electrifying live performances, which blend rock, blues, and soul with powerful messages of authenticity and self-acceptance. Her tours are also recognized as affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ audiences, celebrating the full spectrum of queer identities and fostering a sense of belonging.

Melissa Etheridge’s career spans more than three decades. Since her breakthrough in the late 1980s, she has earned multiple Grammy Awards and achieved international acclaim for her songwriting, musicianship, and activism. Coming out publicly as a lesbian in 1993, Etheridge became one of the first high-profile musicians to do so, using her platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, HIV/AIDS awareness, and gender equality.

Her landmark album “Yes I Am” (1993), which included the hits “Come to My Window” and “I’m the Only One,” remains a defining moment in queer music history. Etheridge’s visibility and outspoken advocacy have made her a role model for generations of LGBTQ+ people around the world.

For many LGBTQ+ fans, Etheridge’s music is more than entertainment; it is a source of affirmation and solidarity. By partnering with the Kansas City Current and centering women’s voices and achievements, Etheridge continues to challenge stereotypes and expand the narrative around gender and sexuality in the public sphere.

With “Don’t You Want A Woman” already making waves and anticipation building for “The Rise Tour,” Etheridge shows no sign of slowing down. Her ability to blend artistry with activism remains a hallmark of her career, inspiring fans and fellow musicians alike to embrace their identities and work toward a more equitable future.

Fans can expect further details on tour dates, ticketing, and additional collaborations in the coming months via Etheridge’s official website (melissaetheridge.com) and social media channels. As always, Etheridge’s story continues to be one of resilience, courage, and the enduring power of music to bring people together.