Sturgill Simpson / Tyler Childers Top Touring Charts – Sell Out Arenas
For years people played the musical version of fantasy football in their minds by pairing up tour partners like Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson, Cody Jinks and Tyler Childers, or Tyler Childers and Sturgill Simpson, sure that if anyone had the guts to put a bill like that together, it could possibly sell out arenas. But nobody saw this coming. Not only have multiple dates on the Sturgill Simpson/Tyler Childers “A Good Look’n Tour” sold out already, more dates continue to be added to keep up with demand. If anything, the tour is much bigger than promoters originally anticipated.
Underscoring this is the fact that Sturgill Simpson and Tyler Childers are currently topping the new Bandsintown & Billboard U.S. Top Artists Index. That means a ticket to “A Good Look’n Tour” is one of the hottest ticket in all of music. The tour was #5 on the charts last week during the pre-order period, and now hits #1 as tickets went on sale to the general public during the charting period. The chart positions are tracked as a percentage of growth in overall engagement during a rolling month, including new trackers, ticket clicks, and event RSVPs tabulated by Billboard and Bandsintown. Sturgill Simpson is also #2 on the Global Top Artists Index.
The transition has not been easy for many independent music fans who are used to seeing their favorite artists in theater-sized venues at the worst, and paying $35 for a seat or pit access at the most. Now they’re having to navigate presale hoops and the secondary market to find seats that are the most expensive tickets they’ve ever bought. But the growing pains have done little to stave off demand.
No different than an artist topping albums charts or winning big awards, being able to sell out at the arena level puts this pairing in rare company. CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee Eric Church is currently on what he’s calling his “Double Down” tour, where he plays consecutive nights at the same venue. Just this last week he played The Anthem in Washington, D.C., selling out both night. The Sturgill Simpson/Tyler Childers combo has already sold out their first night at The Anthem in D.C. on March 15th, with tickets to the second night going fast.
Don’t be surprised if more sell outs are announced for the tour heading into 2020, and as they do, they stretch the limit of touring possibilities for all non radio artists.
A Good Look’n Tour Dates:
February 21 — Birmingham, Alabama – Legacy Arena at the BJCC
February 22 — Asheville, North Carolina – US Cellular Center – SOLD OUT
February 23 — Asheville, North Carolina – US Cellular Center – SOLD OUT
February 25 — Knoxville, Tennessee – Knoxville Civic Coliseum
February 26 — Knoxville, Tennessee – Knoxville Civic Coliseum
February 28 — Lexington, Kentucky – Rupp Arena
February 29 — Detroit, Michigan – Masonic Temple Theatre – SOLD OUT
March 1 — Detroit, Michigan – Masonic Temple Theatre
March 4 — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Peterson Events Center
March 6 — Charlotte, North Carolina – Spectrum Center
March 7 — Duluth, Georgia – Infinite Energy Center
March 10 — North Charleston, South Carolina – North Charleston Coliseum
March 13 — Hampton, Virginia – Hampton Coliseum
March 14 — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – The Met Philadelphia
March 15 — Washington, D.C. – Anthem – SOLD OUT
March 16 — Washington, D.C. – Anthem
March 18 — Toronto, Ontario, Canada – Coca-Cola Coliseum
March 20 — Columbus, Ohio – Nationwide Arena
March 21 — St. Louis, Missouri – Chaifetz Arena
March 22 — Southaven, Mississippi – Landers Center
March 27 — Dallas, Texas – American Airlines Center
March 28 — Austin, Texas – Frank Erwin Center
March 29 — Sugarland, Texas – Smart Financial Centre
April 1 — Independence, Missouri – Silverstein Eye Centers Arena
April 3 — Chicago, Illinois – United Center
April 4 — Minneapolis, Minnesota – Armory – SOLD OUT
April 5 — Minneapolis, Minnesota – Armory
April 9 — Omaha, Nebraska – Baxter Arena
April 10 — Madison, Wisconsin – Alliant Energy Center
April 23 — Tulsa, Oklahoma – BOK Center
April 25 — Denver, Colorado – Pepsi Center
April 28 — Salt Lake City, Utah – Maverik Center
April 29 — Missoula, Montana – Adams Center
May 1 — Portland, Oregon – Veterans Memorial Coliseum
May 2 — George, Washington – Gorge Amphitheatre
May 5 — San Francisco, California – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
May 6 — San Francisco, California – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium – NEW DATE
May 8 — Inglewood, California – The Forum
May 15 — Boston, Massachusetts – TD Garden
May 16 — New York City – Madison Square Garden
May 21 — Nashville, Tennessee – Bridgestone Arena
May 22 — Nashville, Tennessee – Bridgestone Arena
May 24 — Louisville, Kentucky – KFC Yum! Center
Ells Eastwood
November 19, 2019 @ 10:13 am
OK two points…
“…transition has not been easy for many independent music fans who are used to seeing their favorite artists in theater-sized venues…”
If that line applies to you, if you’re new to arena shows, rule number one is never deal with aftermarket resellers, esp. ticketmaster, livenation. You can ALWAYS, ALWAYS get tix during presale and onsale, especially if it’s an artist you follow and care about seeing. If you don’t manage that show up at the venue two hours before the show and buy one from a person, not the same corporation that is double charging on service fees.
Second point (for Trigger) I looked at those bandsintown stats awhile back, seems like the definition of “vanity metrics” to me. Obviously if you just announce some shows your numbers will be hot/trending/etc. You have much better industry insight than i, just thought I’d comment on my view of those stats in particular.
Trigger
November 19, 2019 @ 10:32 am
Hey Ells,
You could very well be right about these Bandsintown/Billboard touring charts. A lot of it may just have to do with timing, just like the boxscore charts, and who announces their tour when. Nonetheless, it is an interesting piece of data that shows there is significant interest in this tour. To me, the proof is the sold out shows, which I suspect we’ll see more and more of as the tour approaches. I was very curious if they would sell out any of these dates, or if they had booked something above their heads. The fact that they’ve doubled up on numerous shows and are still selling them out is remarkable.
As for how to navigate buying tickets for arena shows, I’m a fish out of water. I don’t go to arena shows. My job is down in the trenches looking for the next Sturgill Simpson and Tyler Childers. The last arena show I went to I think was Radiohead 9 years ago, and that’s because someone invited me and had tickets. This tour might be the first arena show I’ve gone to since then, if I choose to go. I’ve never had a scenario like this where artists I covered from the very beginning of their career have reached this level. What I do know is I’m hearing from a lot of frustrated fans, and I totally feel for them. It’s a mixed feeling of joy and sadness, and they’re not used to navigating these waters.
Ells Eastwood
November 19, 2019 @ 11:48 am
Ya, I really do appreciate your insight into charts and all that. Makes for interesting reading on this site, along with all the actual music stuff!
Jerry Clower's Ghost
November 19, 2019 @ 1:24 pm
I think it would be fitting for you to be at one of their shows during this tour. Especially since they’re stopping at Frank Erwin.
Trigger
November 19, 2019 @ 1:29 pm
I’m going to try and be at one of these concerts, preferably an early one.
Jerry
November 19, 2019 @ 11:19 am
Maybe this is a whole other article, but isn’t it true that there are countless artists being pushed on country radio who are unable to compete with either these numbers or the album sales of artists like Simpson and Childers? And aren’t both of them currently signed to major labels? If so, what possible justification is there for for country radio, CMT, the CMA Awards, etc. to continue pretending like they don’t exist?
Ells Eastwood
November 19, 2019 @ 11:57 am
It’s certainly a crappy deal that radio doesn’t support these artists like they “should” but radio isn’t the be-all-end-all of a career. Look at (what I like to call) the Hippy Jam Bands. Widespread Panic, moe, Umfrees McGee, (Phish) et. al, have been touring nationally, selling out venues, holding their own festivals, etc. for DECADES with zero radio support.
Like that kind of music or not, it’s the people that support those artist and allow them the freedom to make the music they want. Same with Sturgill and Tyler. Up until now it was the people commenting on this blog that kept them moving up, now we just have a bunch of other folks at our party!
Tex Hex
November 19, 2019 @ 1:49 pm
I never quite understood the obsession with hearing your favorite artist(s) on the radio. This hasn’t bothered me for thirty years or so. Radio has played almost no part in my enjoyment of music, or my favorite artists for decades. I get that radio can correlate with the commercial success and popularity of an artist, but not always, and it certainly isn’t necessary for success these days.
Also, honestly, commercial country radio is its own thing, and Tyler and Sturgill (thankfully) aren’t part of that – not only in a philosophical sense but sonically as well, especially Sturgill who hasn’t sounded particularly country on his last couple albums, over five years. Not a dig on Sturgill, just saying his stuff sounds nothing like what’s on country radio, so why would anybody ever think his stuff would/should get country radio play?
Trigger
November 19, 2019 @ 1:18 pm
Cole Swindell now has five #1’s on country radio, and three more #2’s. When he comes through Dallas/Ft. Worth, he plays Billy Bob’s Texas, which you would consider a large club. They say overall capacity is 6,000, but in front of the stage it’s probably around 2,500 or so. Sturgill Simpson and Tyler Childers are playing the American Airlines Center, which has a capacity of 20,000. That is why this news is important, and why I keep covering this tour.
But the thing about country radio is you have to court it. You have to send a single to radio stations and promote it through regional reps and trade periodicals. Radio plays what it’s told to play by major labels, and the major labels Sturgill and Tyler are on do not have a relationship with country radio. All that said, I don’t see why Tyler wouldn’t at least try a single from his new record on country radio. This tour proves there’s an audience.
Conrad Fisher
November 19, 2019 @ 7:20 pm
There’s an audience, but if you are listening to country radio, you probably don’t know much about or care for Tyler Childers. It would be sonically jarring. I can’t imagine a typical country radio programmer going for a track on Country Squire. Weirder things have happened though.
albert
November 20, 2019 @ 1:05 am
”sonically jarring” is what all of “country” radio has pretty-much become
hasn’t it…. ?
Koozie
November 22, 2019 @ 9:06 am
You’re telling me “All Your’n” wouldn’t grab the ear of people who – by and large – listen to pop and R&B, and who made Stapleton’s version of “Tennessee Whiskey” one of the biggest hits of the decade?
Hamilton
November 20, 2019 @ 6:55 am
Let’s not forget that radio is a dying medium that can no way sustain long term viability with the onslaught of digital options that have made hearing your favorite artists on demand easier than ever. It was a once powerful benchmark for success, but I find it less relevant in modern times. The music industry needs to finally stop out so much weight in archaic standards and finally embrace digital platform benchmarks to define success imo.
Convict Charlie
November 19, 2019 @ 3:22 pm
At this level and indie artists you’re dealing with the booking agencies. William Morris (wme) is the biggest, caa or central artists agency, paradigm is the one a lot of indie artists are on, uta or United talent agency is the other one. They set the tour and court buyers/promoters. A lot of times the artist has it on their website who they are represented by.
Ryan
November 19, 2019 @ 11:25 am
It’s interesting that they’re selling out the Midwest but nowhere in the South. I get that they’re two Kentuckians but why aren’t they selling out Texas?
Hoptowntiger94
November 19, 2019 @ 11:51 am
Sturgill has a strange love affair with Detroit. I saw him play up there in 2016 and it was the happiest I’ve ever seen him.
wayne
November 19, 2019 @ 12:33 pm
Too liberal. Really, I do think that is partially the reason.
Harris
November 19, 2019 @ 1:20 pm
There are more liberals in Dallas or Austin than there are in Asheville.
Rusty
November 19, 2019 @ 6:08 pm
If that is true, then its because they are both a lot bigger than Asheville.
Harris
November 19, 2019 @ 7:13 pm
Yeah that’s my point. Hence why I don’t think that’s the reason Asheville is sold out and those aren’t.
ScruffyCity
November 20, 2019 @ 9:17 pm
Yeah, that’s true, but only because Dallas and Austin are MUCH bigger cities than Asheville. Per capita, Asheville’s an extremely liberal city. It’s been invaded and taken over. Native North Carolinians are a small minority in Asheville, though they’re still in the majority in Buncombe county.
SigmondFloyd
November 19, 2019 @ 12:47 pm
Same with Toronto. Tons of great seats left weeks after they went on sale. Not that I care, I’ve been waiting for this tour.
SigmondFloyd
November 19, 2019 @ 12:51 pm
Suprisingly, Toronto not selling very well. Looks like well over half the tickets still available. Thinking it’s the $150 price tag. I love these guys but that’s pretty steep.
Of course, I’m going anyway. Can’t wait.
albert
November 20, 2019 @ 1:27 am
sturgil is very much an aquired taste , I think . being in ‘the biz’ up here in Canada very ,very few people know the name at all and not many of those are fans …at least in my travels this is what i’ve noticed . no airplay whatsoever , of course . but keep in mind that the playlists up here must be 30% Canadian content by law . thus far , neither of these guys is really on anyone’s radar the way some American main-streamers might be…..much less to where they’d shell out those kinds of dollars to see them .
in the u.s there is a ‘hip and trendy’ factor in play in terms of some acts making headway with no radio or serious media exposure . not so much here . radio is still pretty-much God when it comes to people finding out about pop acts . and our ‘country’ radio is the absolute shits in part because of the aforementioned law.
Greg Green
November 20, 2019 @ 4:19 am
$150 is a whole lotta love. Sheesh. Anyway, Enjoy!
Jack Williams
November 19, 2019 @ 12:54 pm
Venue size may be one reason. The Dallas and Austin venues look to be big arenas.
Trigger
November 19, 2019 @ 1:20 pm
The American Airlines Center is one of the biggest arenas in the country. Would be very surprised if they sell it out. The Frank Erwin Center is much smaller, but Austin is a smaller market.
Brian
November 19, 2019 @ 1:46 pm
Looking at the Erwin Center the entire bottom level only has single tickets in every section available and there are six section in the top level that only have singles available, so they are selling pretty decent in Austin.
Jack Williams
November 20, 2019 @ 6:55 am
I looked the Frank Erwin Center up and its capacity is just under 17,000. So that would be around 5,000 more tickets than here in DC.
scott
November 19, 2019 @ 1:05 pm
My nephews live in Texas, neither can stand Childers. They’re both pretty blah on Simpson. Give ’em a Turnpike, or Moonpies show, they’re all in.
Jack Williams
November 19, 2019 @ 1:18 pm
Well, Childers music is very Appalachian and maybe not an automatic for Texas country fans?
scott
November 19, 2019 @ 1:36 pm
That could be it, Jack. Not really sure why. When I mentioned him, they kinda scoffed, and I let it go.
Jack Williams
November 20, 2019 @ 7:03 am
Hey, scott. You had mentioned that once before about your nephews and I wondered about it then. Made me think of hearing how Muddy Waters once got booed at The Apollo Theater in Harlem because his music didn’t resonate strongly with the NYC black community. It’s said that Chicago Blues is basically electrified Mississippi delta blues and the black folks who migrated to NYC tended to have come from east coast southern states (because of train lines) and so would not necessarily connect with delta blues.
Tex Hex
November 19, 2019 @ 4:09 pm
Maybe your nephews are smelling a whiff of pretentiousness from Tyler and Sturgill. Both have been pretty cantankerous and self-serious recently, and it’s off putting. No doubt due to their relative success. I can’t help but think they’re drinking their own kool aid.
I dig ‘em both and have my tix for this tour already, but this year I’ve been leaning hard toward Texas artists like the Moonpies, Joshua Ray Walker, Vincent Neil Emerson, and Charley Crockett.
There’s something more easygoing, humorous, and fun about those guys, even when they’re singing sad songs. It doesn’t feel like they’re trying to prove anything, like Tyler and Sturgill are.
Matt
November 20, 2019 @ 1:57 am
Don’t miss Chris Catalena and Croy and the Boys, both out of Austin.
scott
November 20, 2019 @ 6:50 am
Think you might have nailed it, Tex.
Jack Williams
November 20, 2019 @ 7:09 am
If that were the case, I would think it would be more they couldn’t stand Sturgill and are blah on Childers. I personally don’t see how Childers is anywhere near as polarizing as Sturgill. He hasn’t been very political that I know of and he seems dedicated to country music.
Tex Hex
November 20, 2019 @ 9:18 am
This is all just conjecture based on personal opinion and anecdotes, of course, so take it with a grain of salt.
I didn’t necessarily mean Tyler and Sturgill might be divisive based on their politics (although that probably does factor), rather it’s their general attitude in the press (and often within the music itself – especially Sturgill on his recent album). For years both artists have seemed a bit whiny, with big chips on their shoulders about the industry (Sturgill protesting outside the CMA’s, Tyler’s prickly awards speech at Americana Fest).
I can’t speak for everybody but to me it comes across as sanctimonious and pretentious, especially when they’re both obviously very talented and have turned that talent into real success (mostly) outside the Nashville machine. Though have they? They’re both on majors, and have received major mainstream attention. I get that every art form needs its champions, and a lot of people love that about Tyler and Sturgill, but it’s fine line and can be a turn-off for some.
Then again, it could also just be a regional thing. As somebody else mentioned here, both have bluegrass in their musical DNA, and that doesn’t always jibe with everybody’s tastes, especially in Texas where they have their own sounds, scenes, and traditions. I also wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of folks down there, and elsewhere, considered Tyler and Sturgill to be “hipster” country. Once you’re on NPR and SNL, you’re in Arcade Fire/Bon Iver/Decemberists territory. I’ve definitely met people who think that.
Jack Williams
November 20, 2019 @ 10:15 am
Fair enough. I’d say Childers is a bit on the ornery side, but maybe because I grew up in the NYC area, that doesn’t bother me so much. Now if you’re a douchebag (e.g., Ryan Adams, IMO), that’s a different story.
Jayson
November 19, 2019 @ 5:07 pm
I’ll never purchase tickets to see a Turnpike show unless Felker shows me a sobriety coin.
KeepOnChooglin
November 19, 2019 @ 11:26 am
Hoping around the Inglewood date Childers swings by Joe Rogan’s podcast.
hoptowntiger94
November 19, 2019 @ 11:49 am
Only 4 cities are Sold Out (good for you Asheville!). I’m going to figure out tonight how to get a report of tickets available on the secondary market without manually counting. Asheville show #1 has more than 100 available for GA/PIT on Vivid. Asheville show #2 has 62 tickets for GA/PIT on Vivid. Those numbers are actually smaller than I would have guessed, but between both shows thousands of tickets available on all secondary platforms. My guess 4K. Bottom line: most of these tickets are still for sell.
CrosbyDaniels
November 19, 2019 @ 1:20 pm
And….the Asheville show has a capacity of about 7,500 vs the Spectrum Center in Charlotte of about 20,000 and thousands of tickets are still available there. I’ll be at both Asheville & Charlotte thankfully!!
hoptowntiger94
November 19, 2019 @ 2:18 pm
Which night in Asheville are you going? The first show has a lot of scalpers listing ticket quantities of 16 (must have been the max but). The second show, not so much. Leads me to believe the first show was scalped to death, the second the scalpers pulled back the reigns. I bet the second show has more fans.
hoptowntiger94
November 19, 2019 @ 2:28 pm
“must have been the max buy”
I wonder how many fans who need 2 tickets, bought 4 in hopes of selling the extra two and making all their money back?
Jack Williams
November 20, 2019 @ 7:24 am
I’ve never been there, but isn’t Asheville an artsy city? Also, in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Those two things would make that place Sturgill/Childers friendly, I would think.
Big Red
November 19, 2019 @ 4:05 pm
I think you make a good point here. I’m a long suffering Pittsburgh Pirates fan. At a game I was at in early September, there were maybe 1,000 folks in the stands. Maybe. But, they were happy to announce close to 10,000 in attendance. Maybe in their dreams.
But, that’s the point. There is a difference between tickets sold and people in the seats. That’s not to say this isn’t good for Simpson and Childers. I’m not a big fan of either, but it’s been cool to watch a couple of guys go from nothing to arena shows. And I hope, for their sake, that attendance is in line with sales.
Brian
November 20, 2019 @ 7:56 am
Yes, Asheville is pretty artsy, hippy, but there are a lot of “more traditional mountain boys” that live nearby. I go to a lot of shows in Asheville, and have tix for the Saturday show. Saw Cody Jinks there last week and he talked about how supportive of him Asheville has been. Stated that he started at Grey Eagle, then moved to Orange Peel, Pisgah Brewing and now he sold out (or came very close) the Civic Center.
The venue holds about 7,500. I’m pretty surprised that the second show sold out so quickly as well.
H.P. @ Hillbilly Highways
November 20, 2019 @ 6:53 pm
I grew up in “traditional mountain boy” country outside of Asheville and I would love to get back, not the least because EVERYBODY it seems goes through Asheville. That town can support some damn music.
Kevin Smith
November 19, 2019 @ 2:10 pm
Totally different observation. In Columbus, Ohio where one of the shows is scheduled, I saw ads for this on billboards! Typically in Columbus you don’t see concerts advertised on billboards. It’s almost never done.My assumption on seeing that, is that tickets haven’t sold well thus far. Why else are they doing it? Honestly would be shocked if it does sell out. These guys aren’t household names to the general public.
Saw Sturgill last year at Willies Outlaw Fest and being honest he wasn’t even close to being the headliner . Crowd was only halfway into him at best. A lot of empty seats while he was onstage. And his set wasn’t country in the least, totally a rock show. So it’s difficult for me to imagine 10s of thousands going to see him. Is Childers the real draw here?
Nonetheless, this tour is gutsy and consider me surprised it’s doing so well in terms of sales.
Gina
November 19, 2019 @ 3:45 pm
Great to hear. We’re going to the Louisville and St. Louis shows. Can’t wait to see the boys in their home state, and soon to be mine. 🙂
SwinginDoorsLetMeDown
November 19, 2019 @ 3:46 pm
As a Kentucky boy myself, kinda shocked they havent sold out the show at Rupp yet. Both Sturg and Tyler have paid a lot of dues in Lexington. I plan on goin to that show and of all shows, im expecting it to be off the chain! Would love some old school stuff to be played there but those are high hopes…(Sunday Valley anyone?)
hoptowntiger94
November 19, 2019 @ 4:39 pm
There are 1,854 tickets listed for the show at Rupp Arena on StubHub alone (too many to count on Vivid).
Trigger
November 19, 2019 @ 5:30 pm
The flaw I saw in the schedule when it was first released is how many shows your have in a very small region. Yes, Kentucky and Tennessee is their home turf. But you have two shows in Knoxville, two shows in Nashville, two shows in Asheville, and shows in both Lexington and Louisville. That a ton of shows within a short driving distance of each other.
hoptowntiger94
November 20, 2019 @ 6:00 am
That’s a great point. I think some of these markets sold well. I think they are hurting in others (Chicago could have as much as 7k tickets available across all secondary markets, but it’s hard to get a hard number because sellers post the same ticket on multiple platforms).
What you recommended doing to stir up some hype, because both current albums are stagnate when it comes to buzz (of the two Country Squire has the best chances of some Grammy publicity – if it’s eligible this year)?
hoptowntiger94
November 20, 2019 @ 7:03 am
Tyler gets a Best Solo Country Performance Grammy nomination for “All Your’n” in what is the best looking category I’ve seen in an awards show in decades. But not the big buzz I was hoping for.
Trigger
November 20, 2019 @ 10:48 am
I think “Country Squire” is still receiving some decent buzz, and the Grammy nod will help. Sturgill’s album came out right after the eligibility period, so it won’t be until next year before it’s considered.
Jerry
November 19, 2019 @ 4:44 pm
The only shows sold out are theaters or small arenas. MSG and Toronto are half sold, as is Louisville. Granted 2 of those are huge sheds and 1 is in Canada, but I think they bit off a bit more than they could chew for this tour. Half empty places for a good chuck of the tour gonna be a bummer, but I’m sure the shows will rock!
Lisa
November 19, 2019 @ 6:11 pm
I just checked the ticket map for the Atlanta sow. There’s only a handful of seats left to the side/behind the stage. Arena holds 13,000. Pretty great turnout.
Matt
November 20, 2019 @ 2:04 am
I saw Tyler last time he was in DC, at a small club. I have tix to see him at the Anthem in a few weeks. Then i’m done. Wasn’t crazy about American Squire and don’t see the point of big venue shows anyway, unless it’s Willie.
Jack Williams
November 20, 2019 @ 7:31 am
Where did you see him in DC? Rock and Roll Hotel? I think I passed on that one, hoping he’d hit The Birchmere on his next tour (my favorite place and much easier for me to get to). but he jumped right over it and went to the 9:30 Cub next. And then that sold out faster than I thought it would. Same with next month’s Anthem show. I’m going to the first Anthem show in March.
Matt
November 20, 2019 @ 9:43 am
Yes, at RRH. I’m a little too old, or at least my back is, to stand for two hours at a place like RRH. I also honestly didn’t think the live performance added as much as I expected to the experience of listening to the album (with which I was enraptured at the time). And then I saw Simpson at the Anthem, opening for Willie–and I really, really didn’t enjoy what he was doing. I love rock and roll and all sort of innovative music, and I’m not saying Simpson wasn’t excellent, but I just didn’t like it. So with all of that and my significant lack of enthusiasm for American Squire, I’m actually not looking forward all that much to the 12/13 show.
I’ll tell you what I’d rather be doing that night is going to Baltimore (Autobar or Ottobar or whatever it’s called) to see WeatherAmes opening for Susto. No, of course you haven’t heard of WeatherAmes, lol, but they’re kind of stunning. I somehow came across them in some corner of Instagram and then Apple Music. They have an album (“Holy Smoke”) that’s only on-line, and it’s absolutely fabulous. It’s not country, though it has some of that aroma. I don’t know what you’d call it except gorgeous. I think the leader of the band (Matt Ames) is the principal of the local high school in Catonsville, MD. I saw them last weekend in a sports bar in Catonsville and I’m telling you they were amazing. If I could persuade my wife to give up our tix to Childers’ show at the Anthem, I’d give them to you and go to the Baltimore show in a heartbeat. (Susto are awesome, too, if you don’t know them.)
Jack Williams
November 27, 2019 @ 8:27 am
Yes, at RRH. I’m a little too old, or at least my back is, to stand for two hours at a place like RRH.
Ha! That’s how I feel about the 9:30 Club. But at least it has that big parking lot and so convenient to drive to. Haven’t been there since Sturgill in early 2015. I’d say the best Isbell and Sturgill shows I’ve seen were there and I’ve seen some other great shows there. Kathleen Edwards in 2013 was one for the ages.
From what I understand, there’s only street parking around RRH. I guess the way to get there is metro to Union Station and I hear there’s a shuttle that goes down H street.
Thanks for the music tips.
Daniele
November 20, 2019 @ 4:21 am
Impressive considering that i saw Tyler in Hamburg, Germany couple years ago playing in front of 100 people. The good look’n tour will stretch to Europe in January, i’m gonna go, hoping Sturgill won’t sound like Sonic Youth.
Richard
November 20, 2019 @ 3:14 pm
If you’ve never seen Sturgill live, I would put money on him delivering a great show and you being blown away. He won’t screw up a live show. There are very few live acts on that level.
Colter
November 20, 2019 @ 9:33 am
I just wish southwest Louisiana had some good concert venues. This place sucks.
trpnblly
November 20, 2019 @ 10:30 am
Still hoping they’ll add a Central/Western NY date…..
Richard
November 20, 2019 @ 10:54 am
For years people played the musical version of fantasy football in their minds by pairing up tour partners like “Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson”.
Hasn’t that combo already happened a couple of times? I first saw Sturgill at a small Isbell show back when almost no one knew him and he opened with like 5 songs.
Saw them together again a couple or more years later at a much larger amphitheater.
Brian
November 20, 2019 @ 2:49 pm
I saw Sturgill open for Isbell in Durham in 2014. It was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. Isbell said something like “we are very lucky to have Sturgill and his band out with us. God knows he won’t be opening for us, or anyone, for very long.”
Gabe
November 20, 2019 @ 4:29 pm
Seems the show in Philly is sold out WTF !
Cool Lester Smooth
November 23, 2019 @ 2:39 pm
I’m seeing them both in Dublin next year, a month apart.
Luckily, they’re still playing clubs over here!
APate
November 27, 2019 @ 8:45 am
I’m not interested in the least bit at this tour considering Sturgill will most likely be pushing whatever that BS of an album he just released is. With Metamodern and High Top albums being pushed aside, Sturgill will appeal to the hipster movement with the new s**t and they won’t even know who he used to be and what he was capable of for us actual real country music fans.
BZ
January 25, 2020 @ 9:11 am
Quick question to the vets here, do you think Sturgill’s sets will include the brass instruments and all thr extras or be more stripped down like the shows he played in the fall?
Trigger
January 25, 2020 @ 9:32 am
I wouldn’t expect for the horns to show up. He’s said he’s wanted to keep it stripped down like the record for the tour, but you never know with Sturgill until he hits the stage. We’ll know more after the first show.