Let’s go back… back to the beginning.
9:44 a.m. The pre-sale link appears via text to Hilary Duff’s July 30 concert at Ascend Amphitheater. Sign-ups had to happen by 5 p.m. CT on Feb. 16. “Join as early at 9:45 a.m. local time.” No pressure. Just a millennial childhood hanging in the balance.
By 10 a.m., I’m in the queue. The blue bar stretches across the screen with that tiny walking man outline, the digital equivalent of watching water boil. He’s moving, technically, but not bubbling towards the edge.
“Tons of fans want tickets for this event just like you,” the screen reads. “Your turn is coming up soon. Hang tight and good luck!” Good luck? This is Ascend Amphitheater. Capacity: 6,800. Just 2,300 fixed seats and 4,500 lawn spots or basically the size of five high school graduating classes.
Hilary Duff’s style shines in photos that span all her eras
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Frankie Muniz, left, and Hilary Duff arrive for the premiere of the film “Agent Cody Banks” at the Mann Village Theatre in Westwood, California, on March 8, 2003.
The little man creeps to 10 percent at 10:08 a.m. At this rate, it’s going to be an 80 minute wait. I consider walking to the Pedestrian Bridge overlooking Ascend. I scroll through the FAQs instead.
“Will signing up for the Artist Presale guarantee I get tickets? No.”
By 10:10 a.m., the blue bar is at 15 percent. 10:12 a.m., 25 percent. 10:13 a.m., 40 percent. The man is still walking in place.
Hilary Duff brought joy and nostalgia to Voltaire at The Venetian in Las Vegas on Feb. 13, 2026.
Hilary Duff is back on stage, fresh off a short show stint that included Los Angeles, New York City, Toronto, London and Las Vegas. Her new album, “Luck… or something” is out Feb. 20.
The first two singles are “Mature” and “Roommates.” The last full studio album for the 38-year-old mom was released in June 2015. Called “Breathe In. Breathe Out.,” that marks nearly 11 years between albums.
At 10:15 a.m., the man reached 50 percent. 10:16 a.m., 75 percent.
The “Lucky Me” tour stretches across U.S. cities and includes international dates stretching into 2027. AXS has tickets starting at $109 for the Nashville concert. Emphasis on “starting at.”
I put on “This Is What Dreams Are Made Of,” because of the looming irony. If I cross the finish line, it’s an anthem. If I don’t, it’s a taunt.
The man is walking faster now. 10:17 a.m., 80 percent.
Duff started as a household teen idol in the 2000s. “Lizzie McGuire” and “A Cinderella Story” evoke nostalgia. Most recently, her show “Younger” ran from March 31, 2015, to June 10, 2021.
10:18 a.m. 95 percent. The music dings at 10:19 a.m.
Although blue seats appear available, the offer vanishes before clicking to buy. Two tickets in the third row are available, but the price tag is $1,012.08. The breakdown is: $398.17 for each ticket. Service fees: $165.90. Sales tax: $49.84. The clock ticks down. I can’t justify it so I release them back into the wild.
After more fervent clicking, two VIP tickets in the section between the open lawn and front rows opens up going for $625.34 total. The countdown begins again. Two minutes.
Clicking to confirm buys an eight minute window to log in, confirm pre-sale code and enter credit card information. A confirmation happens as soon as 10:24 a.m.
The general sale for Nashville tickets to Duff will be on Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. AXS advises joining the ticket queue early.
Is this what dreams are made of?
Hilary Duff plays to a room full of dedicated fans Feb. 13, 2026 at Voltaire at The Venetian in Las Vegas.
Bryan West is a music reporter at The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Instagram, TikTok and X as @BryanWestTV.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Disney childhood revived by Hilary Duff Nashville concert