MÖTLEY CRÜE are preparing to turn back the clock—and then smash it—by reviving one of the most celebrated tours of their career. As the band approaches its 45th anniversary, bassist NIKKI SIXX has revealed new details about The Return Of Carnival Of Sins tour, a massive 2026 production designed to push spectacle, technology, and nostalgia to a whole new level.
In a new interview with Jon Smith of the 103.5 The Arrow radio station, Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx discussed the upcoming The Return Of Carnival Of Sins tour. The run celebrates both the 20th anniversary of the band’s legendary 2005–2006 Carnival Of Sins tour and the group’s 45 years together.
The Live Nation–produced trek will span 33 cities and launch on July 17, 2026, in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, at the Pavilion at Star Lake. Supporting acts include Extreme and Tesla, making the package especially appealing to long-time hard rock fans.
Reflecting on why Carnival Of Sins still resonates so strongly, Sixx explained that it stands alongside the band’s biggest moments on the road.
Transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET
“Two of our biggest tours was the ‘Dr. Feelgood’ tour and the ‘Carnival Of Sins’ tour 20 years ago. And back then, [we had] probably 20 semi-trucks full of gear — hard goods, as they call ’em — [with] all kinds of stuff.”
While the original tour relied heavily on physical scale, Sixx said modern technology now allows the band to create something even more immersive.
“And now, with the advancement of technology, we can just take the fans on a crazy journey. And I just think it’s gonna be the next level.”
Importantly, expectations remain high.
“’Cause the first one was a lot of people’s favorite tour, so we have a lot to live up to.”
Smith pointed out that MÖTLEY CRÜE have built their reputation on constantly escalating their live shows. According to Sixx, that pressure has always fueled creativity rather than fear.
Transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET
“It’s always our goal. It really is. It’s what we love doing.”
He traced that mindset back to the band’s earliest years, including their willingness to experiment with dangerous and groundbreaking visuals.
“Like all the way back in the beginning, the ‘Live Wire’ video where the band lit me on fire, and we’ve just constantly been kind of pushing.”
As pyrotechnics became more common across live entertainment, the band intentionally moved beyond them.
“Then we kind of outgrew the pyro, because you can watch a baseball game and they have pyro now.”
Instead, Sixx emphasized that innovation remains essential.
“We don’t want you to show up and go, ‘Yeah. It looks just like the last four bands that I saw.’”
When asked how production ideas are developed, Sixx revealed that everything starts with a central concept.
Transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET
“First and foremost, it’s a theme.”
He pointed to Dr. Feelgood as a defining example of how visual identity can shape an entire tour.
“Once that shifted to green, it all of a sudden gave us a complete color palette for what we would actually do with the show.”
With a carnival theme, creativity expands even further.
“Obviously, something as colorful as a carnival, our brains are going crazy.”
Video technology, in particular, allows storytelling on a scale that wasn’t previously possible.
“You can take people on a journey that you just can’t do with a backdrop and some fire.”
Setlist decisions are just as deliberate. According to Sixx, fan expectations always come first.
Transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET
“Obviously, we know the fans wanna hear the hits. And I hate it when a band goes out and doesn’t play their hits.”
He recalled seeing David Bowie avoid his biggest songs during a tour, which left a lasting impression.
“I don’t wanna go hear a bunch of C and D tracks off of records that I love.”
That said, MÖTLEY CRÜE still plan to surprise audiences.
“We are excited about getting into a setlist and diving into some songs that we maybe never played or haven’t played in a long time and shaking it up.”
Those choices directly influence production design.
“If you’re playing a song like ‘On With The Show’ from the first album, that’s gonna dictate a lot of what production looks like.”
Looking back on decades of touring, Sixx made it clear that theatricality is part of the band’s DNA.
Transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET
“I grew up in the ’70s when rock stars were superheroes and the shows were over the top and everything was about shock and awe.”
Even now, that mindset remains unchanged.
“It’d be kind of hard to revert back to something that was never about MÖTLEY CRÜE.”
He also referenced the band’s Las Vegas residency, where they surprised fans by blending intimacy with spectacle.
“The whole place was, like, ‘Oh my God. I didn’t even know all this was here.’”
As the tour approaches, Sixx acknowledged that fans need time to plan.
Transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET
“It’s not easy for fans. The shows aren’t for almost eight months.”
That reality is shaping how the band is approaching ticket sales and production.
“So we’re going on sale early and designing the show at the same time.”
