Zara Larsson, the acclaimed Swedish pop sensation, has taken to the stage at various colleges across the United States as part of her ongoing performance circuit. The decision to tour these educational institutions came about some time ago, as Larsson seeks to raise funds for her larger “Midnight Sun” tour amidst the significant costs that accompany such a venture.
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During a recent appearance at Yale University for its Spring Fling concert on April 25, 2026, the 28-year-old singer light-heartedly noted her “attendance” at the prestigious institution. Dressed in Yale merchandise, Larsson playfully stated in a TikTok video, “I went there to sing once, so technically I did go to Yale, yes.”
Larsson elaborated on her current undertaking, describing it as a sort of college tour. “I signed that deal a long time ago because I needed to pay for my real tour; it’s so expensive to tour,” she explained. This college performance circuit is intended to support her ongoing efforts following the conclusion of the initial North American leg of her “Midnight Sun” tour, which wrapped up earlier this month.
The college performances will include stops at various institutions such as the University of Delaware, Tufts University, and Brandeis University. Larsson’s schedule is jam-packed, as she is also gearing up for a series of global festival appearances that will extend into August. Following her festival run, she has two big shows planned at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles in September, after which she will head to Australia and New Zealand for additional concerts in October.
Since the announcement of her tour last year, Larsson has enjoyed a surge in popularity, propelled by hit singles such as “Lush Life,” “Midnight Sun,” and her collaboration with PinkPantheress, “Stateside.” The overwhelming demand for her shows led to several venues being upgraded to accommodate the influx of fans, sparking excitement about future arena performances.
Despite her rising stardom, Larsson is committed to honouring her college show commitments. “Once I’ve signed that contract, I’m not pulling out. I don’t do that. I don’t cancel shows,” she remarked in her TikTok video. With a cheeky twist, she added, “Some people pay to go to college; I get paid to go to college.”
Interestingly, Larsson herself never had the opportunity to attend college as a student. Sharing her sentiments, she remarked, “I wish I went to college. Part of me wishes I went to college because I didn’t even finish high school.” She expressed a mix of pride and irony about her educational background, emphasising that she is indeed “a smart girl” despite her lack of formal qualifications. “Someone has to entertain the educated, and that’s my job. And I take that seriously,” she added, revealing her enthusiasm for engaging with college audiences.
Yale University also showed some appreciation for Larsson by providing her with merchandise, which she has vowed to wear in the future. In a humorous note, she suggested that if fans see her in the attire, they should “mind your business,” but is open to responses like, “Wow, that’s so amazing. What year did you graduate?” to which she cheekily replied, “I’ll graduate in two years.”
Looking ahead, the pop star is set to release a deluxe version of her album, titled “Midnight Sun: Girls Trip,” on May 1. The upcoming project will feature collaborations with international stars including Shakira, PinkPantheress, and Robyn, among others, promising to deliver even more vibrant tunes to her growing fanbase. As Larsson continues to navigate the demands of touring while engaging with her audience in unique ways, her approach demonstrates both determination and a sense of humour that resonates well with her followers.