Flea Drills Down On Jazz Roots As First Solo Tour Launches In Chicago

Flea, the bassist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, launched his first solo tour on May 7, 2026, with a performance at Thalia Hall in Chicago. The event marked the first live outing in support of his debut solo album, Honora, featuring a 90-minute set described as a jazz-fueled escape.

The opening night performance took place before approximately 850 fans. During the show, Flea expressed the personal nature of the venture and the vulnerability associated with stepping away from his established group dynamic for a solo project.

It’s our first f–ing concert! To be honest, it scares the s–t outta me! Just making my little record and people being into We see a very humbling experience So, thank you for coming. It’s beautiful to be here with you.

Flea

Debut Solo Album and Musical Direction

The tour follows the March 27, 2026, release of Honora. While Flea is widely recognized for his work in rock and funk, the solo album leans heavily into jazz, reflecting his early musical background as a trumpet player before he transitioned to the bass.

The album features collaborations with high-profile artists, including Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke on the track Traffic Lights and Nick Cave, who appears on a cover of Jimmy Webb’s Wichita Lineman.

To translate the album’s sound to the stage, Flea is touring with the Honora Band. The five-piece ensemble consists of:

• Anna Butterss on upright bass
• Deantoni Parks on drums
• Jeff Parker on guitar
• Josh Johnson on saxophone and keyboards

Commercial Context and Career Transition

The launch of Honora comes after nearly 45 years of commercial success with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. According to reporting from Forbes, the band has sold more than 100 million albums globally, achieving eight platinum and three gold albums.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers also hold the record for the most number-one singles on Billboard’s Alternative Songs Chart. This solo venture represents a departure from the commercial scale of his primary band, focusing instead on a more niche, jazz-oriented musical exploration.

Recent Projects and Tour Schedule

The solo tour and album release are part of a concentrated period of activity for Flea in early 2026. At the end of March 2026, just one week prior to the release of Honora, he appeared in a Netflix documentary titled The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother Hillel.

The current U.S. Tour dates are scheduled to continue through May 2026, after which the tour will move to international locations.