The Dallas Smith 51-Date Canadian Tour will bring the country star to 51 communities nationwide this fall. The British Columbia-born musician says the tour celebrates Canadian pride and connects him with audiences in towns he has never visited before.
A Tour With a Statement
Smith admits the number of shows is no accident. In a playful nod to U.S. President Donald Trump’s talk of making Canada the 51st state, he decided to lock in the symbolic figure. “We were close to that number and then we said let’s just make that happen,” he said with a laugh.
He wants the tour to focus on smaller venues and less-travelled towns, delivering an intimate experience. The Dallas Smith & His Band (Unplugged) concerts will feature acoustic sets in theatres seating a few hundred to a thousand people.
Coast-to-Coast Journey
The journey begins October 3 in Fort St. John, B.C., and continues through communities such as Kitimat, B.C., Enoch, Man., and Wingham, Ont. By December 14, the tour will conclude in Belleville, Ont., after visiting nine provinces.
Smith, who often performs at major events like the Calgary Stampede, will strip back his setlist. Fans can expect acoustic versions of his hits, tracks from his rock band Default, and newer songs such as How Do You Miss Me and Drop. He will also share personal stories from his career and upbringing.
Stripped-Back Production
Inspired by 1990s “MTV Unplugged” sessions, Smith will scale down production. The tour will run on a single bus with a trailer, his full band, and most of his regular crew. He says the simpler setup allows the beauty of the venues to shine as a backdrop.
Life on the road will be intense, with stretches of six consecutive shows in different cities. To keep tickets affordable — priced between $60 and $100 — Smith has reduced stage effects without compromising sound quality. “I love the guys in my band; they’re like brothers. Playing these songs together, paying them well, and keeping ticket prices fair was tricky, but we landed in a good spot,” he explained.
Investing in Canada
Smith says the decision to focus on Canada stems from his values. “There is a lot going on in the U.S. that goes against my upbringing and what I think is right. So why not double down and spend time in a place I really want to enjoy?”
With the Dallas Smith 51-Date Canadian Tour, he hopes to reach audiences in the “nooks and crannies” of the country and inspire other artists to take on smaller markets.
