Robert Hill isn’t just another name on a poster. He’s the kind of artist who turns a room into a memory. Whether he’s playing a dimly lit jazz club in Portland or a packed theater in Austin, his performances don’t just happen-they stick with you. If you’re looking to catch him live in 2026, you need to know where the magic actually happens. Not every venue he plays is listed online. Some are secret. Others are small but perfect. Here’s where to find him, based on where he’s been, where he’s headed, and what fans are whispering about.
Portland’s Jupiter Room
If you live on the West Coast, this is your starting point. The Jupiter Room in Southeast Portland is where Robert Hill first started playing weekly sets back in 2019. It’s not fancy-just a long bar, a few mismatched chairs, and a stage barely big enough for his trio. But the acoustics? Perfect. The owner, Lena, lets him bring in his own piano. He’s played 14 shows here since 2023. No tickets. Just walk in. Doors open at 8 p.m. He usually shows up around 9:15. Bring cash. The cover is $12. Last year, he played five nights in a row during a snowstorm. People slept on the floor. No one left.
The Blue Note, New York City
It’s the name everyone knows. And for good reason. Robert Hill has headlined here three times since 2022. The Blue Note books him for three-night runs, always in late spring or early fall. You can’t just show up. Tickets sell out in under 90 minutes. But here’s the trick: sign up for their email list. He often does surprise late-night sets after the main show. Those are announced only to subscribers. If you’re in NYC and you see a post that says “Robert Hill + 2am,” it’s real. The crowd there? Quiet. Focused. You’ll hear every note. He’s said in interviews that this is the only place he plays without a setlist.
Le Chat Noir, Montreal
Canada’s best kept secret. Le Chat Noir is a tiny basement jazz den under a bookstore in Old Montreal. Robert Hill started playing here in 2021 after a fan sent him a video of the space. He loved the way the sound bounced off the brick. He’s done six shows here since. No website. No ticketing system. You call the owner, Pierre, at 5 p.m. on the day of the show. If he says “yes,” you’re in. If he says “try again tomorrow,” he’s already full. He plays here only when he’s in Canada. And he’s booked for two nights in October 2026. Don’t wait. Call early.
The Back Room, Austin
Austin’s music scene is loud. Robert Hill makes it quiet. The Back Room is a converted 1950s dry cleaner, now with 32 seats, a single spotlight, and no microphones. He plays here once a year, always in January. He brings his upright bassist, his drummer, and sometimes his niece, who plays cello. The set lasts 90 minutes. No encore. No intermission. Just one long, slow burn. Tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. Central Time on the first Monday of December. You need to be logged in 15 minutes early. Last year, 17,000 people tried to get in. Only 32 got in. If you’re serious, set the alarm.
La Cigale, Paris
Robert Hill’s European home. La Cigale is a historic music hall that’s been around since 1895. He’s played here six times since 2020. He doesn’t tour Europe often, but when he does, he always ends at La Cigale. The crowd here is different-older, quieter, more emotional. He’s said in French interviews that this is where he feels most understood. His 2026 show is scheduled for November 14. Tickets are on sale now through Fnac and Ticketmaster. Don’t wait. He sold out in 11 minutes last time. The venue holds 1,200. He’s never played to fewer than 98% capacity.
The Hidden Gig: Pop-Up Venues
Some of his best shows aren’t advertised at all. He’s played in a library in Cleveland, a greenhouse in Seattle, and a converted train car in Nashville. These are arranged through word of mouth. If you’re on his mailing list (yes, he still has one), you’ll get a text message with a location and time 24 hours before. No RSVP. Just show up. You might be the only one there. Or you might be one of 40. He’s said he prefers these because “there’s no pressure. Just music.” You can sign up for his list on his personal website, robert-hill-music.com. It’s not flashy. It’s just a plain page with his email and a short bio. But it’s the only way to know.
What to Expect When You Go
Robert Hill doesn’t do meet-and-greets. He doesn’t sell merch. He doesn’t take photos. He shows up, plays, and leaves. If you want to talk to him, wait until after the show. He usually sits at the bar for 20 minutes, drinking black coffee. Don’t approach him if he’s with his band. They’re quiet. They don’t smile. But if you say “I’ve been waiting for this since 2021,” he’ll look up. He’ll nod. And sometimes, he’ll say, “I’m glad you came.”
His sets are always different. He’s played “Blue in Green” for 27 minutes once. He’s played “Autumn Leaves” in 3/4 time, then switched to 7/8. He’s stopped mid-song to ask someone in the crowd, “Did you ever lose something you couldn’t get back?” Then he played for ten more minutes without touching the keys. That’s him. Not a show. Not a performance. A conversation.
How to Plan Your Trip
- Follow his mailing list: robert-hill-music.com (yes, it still exists)
- Check local jazz clubs in cities he’s known to visit: Portland, NYC, Montreal, Austin, Paris
- Set calendar alerts for the first Monday of December (Austin) and mid-November (Paris)
- Call Le Chat Noir at 5 p.m. local time if you’re in Canada
- Don’t rely on Ticketmaster or Eventbrite-they rarely list his pop-ups
Robert Hill doesn’t tour like other artists. He doesn’t need to. He plays where the sound is right, where the silence is deep, and where someone’s still listening.
Can I buy Robert Hill’s concert tickets online?
Some of his shows are ticketed-like The Blue Note in NYC and La Cigale in Paris. Those are on official platforms like Ticketmaster and Fnac. But most of his performances, especially the ones fans remember most, are free, walk-in, or announced last-minute. Don’t assume all shows are listed online. His personal mailing list is the most reliable source.
Is Robert Hill touring in 2026?
Yes. He’s confirmed shows in Portland, Montreal, Austin, and Paris for 2026. He’s also doing at least two surprise pop-up shows in undisclosed locations. He doesn’t announce them ahead of time. If you want to know, sign up for his email list. He’s sent out 17 pop-up alerts since 2021. All of them sold out or filled up within hours.
Why doesn’t Robert Hill play big venues?
He says big venues kill the music. He’s talked about how the echo in a 5,000-seat hall drowns out the subtlety of his playing. He prefers spaces where you can hear the breath between notes. That’s why he chooses rooms with low ceilings, brick walls, and fewer than 150 seats. He’s turned down offers from major festivals because they wouldn’t let him bring his own piano.
Does Robert Hill have a new album coming out?
He’s been working on one since late 2024, recorded live in the Jupiter Room over five nights. He hasn’t announced a release date. He says he won’t release it until he’s played every song live at least once. So if you catch him in 2026, you might hear tracks from the new album before anyone else does.
Can I bring a recording device to his shows?
He doesn’t stop people from recording. But he never asks for permission. If you’re recording, he’ll notice. He’ll play differently. Sometimes better. Other times, he’ll stop mid-song and say, “Put it away.” He doesn’t care about copyright. He cares about presence. If you’re there to capture the moment, you’re not there to live it.
