Dave Beste Sits Out Rival Sons Fall Tour
The Rival Sons bassist is stepping aside from the Domestic Bliss Tour, with Darwin Johnson filling in on bass.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Rock
Rival Sons bassist Dave Beste will not join the band's fall U.S. tour, which kicked off October 30. The band announced his absence on Instagram less than two weeks before the tour began and pledged support for his decision to step aside.
Why it matters
Beste needs to temporarily step aside to handle important matters at home, and Darwin Johnson, who plays bass for Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, has been brought in to replace him. The change keeps the band's touring schedule intact while Beste is away.
Rival Sons have released eight albums since forming in 2009, and 19 tour dates remain on the Domestic Bliss Tour, which ends in Fort Wayne on Thanksgiving weekend. The band has not said when Beste will return, and no confirmed timeline has been released.
The players
Rival Sons
Rival Sons is a hard rock band formed in 2009 that has released eight albums and is known for blending blues and classic rock influences.
Dave Beste
Dave Beste is the bassist for Rival Sons, who joined the band in 2013 and is stepping aside from the fall tour to handle personal matters.
Darwin Johnson
Darwin Johnson is a bassist who plays with Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals and has been brought in to fill in for Beste on the tour.
The details
Rival Sons announced on Instagram that Beste would not join the Domestic Bliss Tour, which began October 30 and runs through late November. Johnson stepped in on bass, and the band said it supports Beste's decision, which follows his 2013 arrival to replace Robin Everhart.
Timeline
2013: Dave Beste joins Rival Sons, replacing Robin Everhart.
October 30, 2026: Rival Sons' fall tour kicks off without Beste.
November 4, 2026: The band announces Beste's absence on Instagram.
November 29, 2026: The tour's final show is held in Fort Wayne.
2027: A new Rival Sons album is expected.
Band History
The current substitution follows the pattern of Beste's 2013 arrival, which replaced Robin Everhart, and the band is again handling a lineup change while keeping its schedule. Rival Sons' Feral Roots, released in 2019, and their 2023 releases show a band that has maintained steady output across lineup stability and change.
Fans attending the remaining Domestic Bliss Tour dates will see Darwin Johnson on bass rather than Beste, with the tour ending in Fort Wayne on Thanksgiving weekend. Ticket holders keep their existing access to the shows as scheduled.
The takeaway
Fans who follow Rival Sons can expect Johnson to handle bass duties through the rest of the tour, while Beste's return remains unannounced. Checking the band's official channels is the most reliable way to track any update on his status.
What happens next
The band is expected to release a new album in 2027, and Dave Beste is expected to return to the band, though no specific dates have been confirmed.
Further reading
Explore more Rock news for the latest on bands touring across the country.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Celebrity.
