By admin 
INTRODUCTION
The initial downbeat of “It’s a Miracle” during the 2026 “The Last Sunrise” tour is more than a rhythmic cue; it is a profound clinical victory. Following a successful surgical intervention for a stage-one pulmonary tumor in late 2025, the 82-year-old icon has returned to the spotlight with a five-act narrative structure that is as much about vocal preservation as it is about showmanship. For the “Fanilows” gathering at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, on March 14, 2026, the performance serves as a high-stakes demonstration of resilience. This setlist is a meticulously paced architectural feat, designed to navigate the physical realities of a post-operative performer while honoring a legacy that spans over half a century of the American songbook.
THE DETAILED STORY
The narrative arc of “The Last Sunrise” begins with a calculated burst of “Recovered Energy.” By selecting high-tempo tracks like “Daybreak” and the interactive “Can’t Smile Without You,” Manilow establishes a cardiovascular baseline early in the evening. This opening act is essential for recalibrating his breath control in a live arena environment. The sight of thousands of yellow glow sticks synchronized to the beat provides a psychological lift, grounding the performance in the familiar warmth of his 1970s heyday. It is a paradigm of professional discipline, signaling to the audience that his respiratory health is sufficient to sustain the ninety-minute odyssey ahead.
As the evening transitions into the “Trademark Ballads,” the technical difficulty increases significantly. Tracks such as “Weekend in New England” and “Even Now” require a sophisticated level of vocal nuance and sustained phrasing. Musicologists observing the 2026 tour have noted a meticulous adjustment in his delivery; he is leaning into the emotional gravity of the lyrics, allowing the vulnerability of his recovery to add a new layer of authenticity to his performance. “Looks Like We Made It” has effectively become the tour’s unofficial anthem, its title now serving as a literal commentary on his survival and return to the stage.
The “Journey of Overcoming” segment represents the evening’s emotional center. Here, Manilow introduces his 2026 single “Once Before I Go” alongside the rumored debut of “Better Today.” This chapter provides an authoritative, unvarnished look at the man behind the sequined jackets, connecting his recent medical odyssey to his broader theme of perseverance. This vulnerability is balanced by the “Timeless Medley,” where he condenses decades of Number 1 hits like “Mandy” into a high-density nostalgic surge. Between these hits, the Manilow Music Project continues its mission, awarding a $10,000 grant to a local teacher at each stop—a $5,000 personal gift paired with $5,000 for school instruments.
The finale, featuring the kinetic energy of “Copacabana” and the orchestral weight of “Let Freedom Ring,” ensures the performance ends on a note of defiant hope. While the tour marks the final time he will visit these markets, the meticulous structure of the setlist ensures his departure is characterized by strength rather than frailty. As the pháo hoa giấy (confetti) falls in Florida, the message is clear: the sun may be setting on his touring life, but the music remains as luminous as ever.