Atlanta-based metal giants Mastodon have recruited acclaimed Canadian musician Nick Johnston to handle guitar duties for their ongoing 2025 international tour. This move comes after the departure of co-founding guitarist Brent Hinds earlier this year. Johnston joined the band for their North American tour launch on May 8th in Chesterfield, Missouri.
In March 2025, Mastodon announced that after 25 years, Brent Hinds and the band had “mutually decided to part ways.” In their statement, the band expressed pride and gratitude for their shared history with Hinds, wished him success in his future endeavors, and assured fans that all 2025 touring plans would remain intact as they moved into a “new chapter.”
The guitarist now filling this crucial role is Nick Johnston, a Toronto-hailed virtuoso known for his distinctive, melody-driven instrumental music. Johnston has released seven solo albums, including 2024’s Child Of Bliss, and has an extensive list of collaborations with various artists. His eclectic style draws from blues, prog, jazz, and more. Prior to Johnston joining, YouTuber and session musician Ben Eller filled in on guitar for Mastodon‘s performance at the Tool In The Sand festival in March.
With Nick Johnston now onboard alongside core members Troy Sanders (bass/vocals), Bill Kelliher (guitar), and Brann Dailor (drums), Mastodon is continuing their extensive touring schedule. The band played the Sonic Temple Art and Music Festival on May 9th and kicked off a co-headlining U.S. run with Coheed and Cambria, with Periphery also appearing on many dates, on May 10th.
Here are Mastodon‘s upcoming tour dates for 2025:
May 2025 – North America (with Coheed and Cambria and Periphery):
- May 11 – Knoxville, TN, US – Knoxville Civic Auditorium
- May 13 – Raleigh, NC, US – Red Hat Amphitheater
- May 15 – Wilmington, NC, US – Live Oak Bank Pavilion
- May 16 – Charleston, SC, US – Firefly Distillery
- May 17 – Daytona Beach, FL, US – Welcome to Rockville 2025* (Only Mastodon)
- May 19 – Estero, FL, US – Hertz Arena
- May 21 – Huntsville, AL, US – Orion Amphitheater
- May 22 – Lexington, KY, US – Rupp Arena
- May 24 – Virginia Beach, VA, US – The Dome
- May 25 – Bridgeport, CT, US – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
- May 26 – Saratoga Springs, NY, US – Broadview Stage at SPAC
- May 28 – Portland, ME, US – Cross Insurance Arena
- May 30 – Syracuse, NY, US – Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview
- May 31 – Scranton, PA, US – Pavilion at Montage Mountain
June 2025 – North America (with Coheed and Cambria and Periphery):
- Jun 01 – Youngstown, OH, US – The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre
- Jun 03 – Fort Wayne, IN, US – Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
- Jun 04 – Peoria, IL, US – Peoria Civic Center Arena
- Jun 06 – Grand Rapids, MI, US – Van Andel Arena
- Jun 07 – Green Bay, WI, US – Resch Center
- Jun 08 – Waukee, IA, US – Vibrant Music Hall
July 2025 – Europe (Festivals & Select Shows):
- Jul 03 – Cardiff, UK – Blackweir Fields (with Slayer, Amon Amarth, Anthrax, Hatebreed and more)
- Jul 05 – Birmingham, UK – Villa Park (with Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Slayer, Pantera and more)
- Jul 06 – London, UK – Finsbury Park (with Slayer, Amon Amarth, Anthrax and more)
- Jul 11 – Quebec City, QC, Canada – Festival d’été de Québec 2025
- Jul 23 – Kallithéa, Greece – Release Athens 2025 (Plateía Neroú / Πλατεία Νερού)
- Jul 27 – Plovdiv, Bulgaria – Hills Of Rock Festival 2025
- Jul 30 – Râșnov, Romania – Rockstadt Extreme Fest 2025 (Cetatea Rasnov)
- Jul 31 – Székesfehérvár, Hungary – Fezen Festival 2025 (Székesfehérvár First Field)
August 2025 – Europe & US (Festivals & Select Shows):
- Aug 03 – Luxembourg, Luxembourg – Den Atelier
- Aug 05 – Katowice, Poland – MCK
- Aug 08 – Kortrijk, Belgium – Alcatraz Festival 2025 (Sportcampus Lange Munte)
- Aug 10 – Walton-on-trent, UK – Bloodstock Open Air 2025 (Catton Park)
- Aug 12 – Cologne, Germany – Carlswerk Victoria
- Aug 13 – Frankfurt, Germany – Batschkapp
- Aug 14-16 – Sulingen, Germany – Reload-Festival 2025 (Festivalgelände Im Langen Lande)
- Aug 15 – Eindhoven, Netherlands – Dynamo MetalFest 2025 (IJssportcentrum Eindhoven)
- Aug 22 – Palmer, AK, US – Grandstand, Alaska State Fair
