By admin 
INTRODUCTION
On the evening of February 27, 2026, the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa will witness a return that is as much a clinical victory as it is a musical one. For Barry Manilow, the 82-year-old statesman of American pop, the “The Last Sunrise” Farewell Tour has undergone a paradigm shift from a standard retrospective to a high-stakes demonstration of resilience. Following a stage-one lung cancer diagnosis in late 2025 and a successful surgical procedure in December, Manilow spent the initial weeks of 2026 in meticulous recovery. While several February residency dates in Las Vegas were postponed to prioritize his respiratory health, the March 14, 2026, performance at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, now stands as a cornerstone of his final travel itinerary.
THE DETAILED STORY
The narrative of this 2026 tour is structured around the “The Last Sunrise” moniker, a title that carries a dual weight: it refers both to the specific Florida geography of his final shows and the inevitable sunset of a touring career that began in the mid-1970s. The anticipated setlist is a masterclass in narrative tension, designed to navigate the physical realities of a post-operative performer while maintaining the soaring emotional peaks his “Fanilows” demand. The opening sequence—featuring “It’s a Miracle” and “Daybreak”—is a deliberate choice to signal vitality. These up-tempo arrangements serve as a physiological warm-up, allowing the artist to establish breath control before transitioning into the more demanding vocal architecture of his trademark ballads.
Central to the 2026 repertoire is the single “Once Before I Go,” a collaboration with producer Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds that has become the tour’s spiritual heart. The song’s lyrical introspection offers a rare moment of vulnerability, acting as a bridge to the rumored new track, “Better Today,” which reflects his recent health odyssey. This “Journey of Overcoming” segment provides the evening’s gravity, grounding the spectacle of the “Copacabana” finale in human experience. Furthermore, the Manilow Music Project continues its meticulous work, awarding $10,000 to local music educators at each stop, ensuring that his legacy remains tangible in the classrooms of cities like Nashville and Charlotte.
As the industry observes this final run, the focus remains on the precision of the performance. Manilow has eschewed the hyperbole of modern pop for a sophisticated, orchestral approach that honors the nuance of his arrangements. Whether reaching for the climactic notes of “Even Now” or leading the rhythmic exodus of “Let Freedom Ring,” the 2026 tour is an authoritative statement on the endurance of the American songbook. It is a calculated, graceful departure, proving that even as the tour bus makes its final rounds, the music remains as luminous as a Florida dawn.