Fall Concert Preview

Ok, so I was just noodling around, looking at all the fall concerts coming to the area.

Not a big surprise there; it’s how i spend most of my free time.

I started out with a couple of the big names from my classic rock days, but quickly lost heart when seeing what ticket prices are looking like.

I see Phil Collins is coming to Capital One Arena in October. Let’s see how much.. ooh $99 for a seat way up in the upper balcony, with a decent seat in the lower bowl starting at $275.  Yeah I like Phil, but almost $300 for a show he’s billing as the “I’m Not Dead Yet Tour”?

Gonna have to pass on that.

How about Sir Elton John? You can catch him from the rafters this weekend for $219, or $350 for a seat halfway back on the floor.

I’ve joked in the past about ticket prices being so high I need to take out a loan just to see a show, and I kid you not, Ticketmaster is now actually offering 6 month payment plans for select tickets at 9.99% APR.  It’s just staggering how far out of hand this has become.

Economists will just shrug it off as “this is what the market will bear, so it’s a fair price.”  Well I’ve got a better idea, take that money you’d pay to see one of these shows, and go see ALL these great acts coming to our area, with enough left over for a t-shirt at the merchandise table, where all true working-class bands make their money.

The Lost 80s Tour

The Lost 80s Tour  Sept. 22 feat. A Flock of Seagulls, Wang Chung, Animotion, Farrington and Mann (When In Rome uk), Naked Eyes, Bow Wow Wow.

It’s like a fever dream of early MTV, when New Wave and Synth Pop bands ruled the world.

Break out your zebra-print bandana and checkerboard Vans and head over to the new UMBC Event Center for a full night of retro fun.

Tickets: $55-$65

 

 

Rainbow Kitten Surprise

Hailing from Boone, N.C,  this part Americana, part Indie-rock, part whatever-they-feel at-the-moment five piece stops in at Rams Head Live on Sept. 29 with special guest Caroline Rose.
These guys have been killing it on the festival circuit with appearances at Firefly, Lollapalooza, and Bonnaroo among others. Check out their latest album How to: Friend, Love, Freefall.

Tickets: Official tickets are sold out, and while I normally loathe the secondary ticket market, StubHub has some resales at a not to bad mark up.

Several Species

For all the psychedelic music fans among us, Several Species, a Baltimore-based 11-piece Pink Floyd tribute band, will be returning to MECU Pavilion (formerly Pier Six) on Sept. 29 at 8 p.m.
Last year’s show featured a full performance of “The Wall” to a packed pavilion, and will be followed this year with a recreation of the Floyd’s 1975 masterpiece “Wish You Were Here,” along with a host of other songs from the band’s catalog.
Singer Tim Morrison will be handling the lead vocals following the retirement of Marc Davis who left the band last year for health reasons.
Tickets: $22-54.50

California Honeydrops

The California Honeydrops will play the Baltimore Soundstage on Oct. 10 in support of their latest release Call it Home Vol. 1&2, with an evening of roots, R&B and jazz.
The five-piece Oakland band really tore it up at their late night set at this year’s Delfest, and are certainly worth a look.

Tickets: $20

Umphrey’s McGee

Progressive jam wizards Umphrey’s McGee make what has become an annual stop at MECU Pavilion on Oct. 13.

The Umph has been busy in the studio, with three new releases this year, “It’s Not Us,” “It’s Not them” (a 4 song download of Umph music from other bands), and “It’s You.” If tight jams and a fantastic light show are your thing, this is one to catch.
*w/ Southern Avenue

Doors 5:30, start 6:30

Tickets: $15 – $30

The Wombats 
British indie rockers The Wombats make a Baltimore visit on their 2018 U.S. Tour at Rams Head Live on Oct. 20.

Their latest release, “Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life” is out now and you probably ought to listen to it today, and then go see them.
Tickets: $25

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong

Perhaps the best way follow a night of turkey is two nights of Pigeons.

Baltimore’s own funk/jam masters Pigeons Playing Ping Pong return home for a pair of Thanksgiving weekend shows at Rams Head Live on Nov. 23-24.

Gather with the flock and celebrate the people that you love, with special guests Lespecial Friday show and Joe Hertler & the Rainbow Seekers on Saturday.

Tickets: $20 or a discounted 2-night pass for $35