Robert Plant Avoids Led Zeppelin Hits on 2026 Tour with Saving Grace

The former Led Zeppelin frontman focuses on new material, playing only two classic tracks on upcoming tour.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 4:55pm

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Robert Plant, the iconic former frontman of Led Zeppelin, is preparing to hit the road again in 2026 with his band Saving Grace. However, Plant is largely avoiding the band's classic catalog, opting to focus on new material from his recent solo album "Saving Grace." The tour will only feature two Led Zeppelin songs - "Black Dog" and "Gallows Pole" - as Plant is wary of being labeled a "nostalgia act."

Why it matters

Robert Plant's decision to steer clear of Led Zeppelin's biggest hits on his upcoming tour reflects his desire to chart new creative territory rather than relying on the band's legendary status. This approach challenges the expectations of some fans, but aligns with Plant's longstanding aversion to simply rehashing the past.

The details

Plant's 2026 tour with Saving Grace will kick off on March 14 in Albuquerque, New Mexico and wrap up on April 7 in New York City. The setlist will primarily feature songs from Plant's recent solo album "Saving Grace," with only two Led Zeppelin tracks - "Black Dog" and "Gallows Pole" - included. Plant has expressed a reluctance to be labeled a "nostalgia act," stating that he is "too long in the tooth to piss about in the shallow end." The surviving members of Led Zeppelin have also been hesitant to extensively revisit the band's catalog, with Plant noting that he "didn't have anything to do with any Zeppelin stuff at all for a long time" after the death of drummer John Bonham in 1980.

  • The 2026 tour with Saving Grace will kick off on March 14 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
  • The tour will wrap up on April 7 in New York City.
  • Plant released his first solo album in eight years, "Saving Grace," in September 2025.

The players

Robert Plant

The iconic former frontman of the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin.

Saving Grace

The band that Plant has toured with since 2019, and which will accompany him on his 2026 tour.

Suzi Dian

The singer who will join Plant and Saving Grace on their 2026 tour.

Oli Jefferson

The drummer for Saving Grace, and husband of Suzi Dian.

Jimmy Page

The guitarist for the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin, which Plant was the frontman of from 1968 to 1980.

John Paul Jones

The bassist and keyboardist for the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin, which Plant was the frontman of from 1968 to 1980.

John Bonham

The drummer for the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin, who tragically passed away in 1980, leading to the band's dissolution.

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What they’re saying

“To do it for the sake of it was never what Zeppelin was about.”

— Robert Plant

“What were the hits? How can they be related to now, where do they fit? They fit as a sort of memoir...”

— Robert Plant

“I can't be anything but interested. I'm too long in the tooth to piss about in the shallow end.”

— Robert Plant

“If it was up to me, I wouldn't have even put Coda out. I didn't have anything to do with it. Then again, I didn't have anything to do with any Zeppelin stuff at all for a long time, really from when Bonzo died.”

— Robert Plant

What’s next

Plant and Saving Grace are expected to announce additional tour dates and locations in the coming weeks as they prepare for the March 14 kickoff in Albuquerque.

The takeaway

Robert Plant's decision to focus his 2026 tour with Saving Grace on new material rather than relying on Led Zeppelin's greatest hits reflects his longstanding desire to chart new creative territory and avoid being pigeonholed as a "nostalgia act." This approach challenges fan expectations but aligns with Plant's artistic vision and his reluctance to simply rehash the past.