Today’s recap includes tour announcements, extensions, comebacks, reunions and more as compiled by TicketNews on September 30, 2008.
At the top of today’s news, Britney Spears told listeners on Z100 in New York City that she hopes to launch a world tour in 2009 to back her upcoming album, “Circus.” In the past few years, the singer feel from grace after a series of tabloid tumbles sullied her image. However, with her impressive appearance and three wins at this year’s VMAs, a tour could be just what Spears needs to truly launch her grand comeback.
In major touring news, AC/DC continues to rule the media with recent announcements of 2009 North American tour dates. … Brit rock band Oasis recently made a big announcement by unveiling plans to tour the U.S. for the first time in three years. … ’90s band Letters to Cleo will hit four venues across the U.S. to celebrate its 20th anniversary reunion. … And rapper Bow Wow hopes to encourage American youth to vote on Election Day with his Walk Across America voter initiative campaign.
Those are the headlines for today’s tour-related news. Several other bands (and one famous insult comedienne) have their own updates and announcements. Read their stories in brief:
Flobots will perform a stretch of New Year’s Eve shows following their headlining dates and supporting shows with Hasidic rapper Matisyahu. The band is scheduled to ring in the New Year with a December 29-31 run at Gothic Theatre in Englewood, CO. The experimental rock group hits the road on October 15 at Power & Light District in Kansas City, MO, and wraps at Matisyahu’s November 23 gig at Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, CA.
Augustana is currently finishing a supporting run with Maroon 5 and Counting Crows, but the band will stay on the road through December. The rockers will provide support for OneRepublic’s upcoming fall tour dates, while also throwing a simultaneous 14-date solo tour into the mix. The solo shows begin October 18 at Mercer University in Macon, GA, and are scattered through the band’s December 4 gig at Diesel Club Lounge in Pittsburgh, PA. Other solo shows include an October 29 show at High Noon Saloon in Madison, WI, a November 1 concert at The Waiting Room in Omaha, NE, and a November 24 performance at Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, NC.
Lisa Lampanelli has added a slew of new dates to her comedy tour, including a batch of 2009 dates. The “queen of mean” continues her tour October 3 at Florida Theatre in Jacksonville, FL, and concludes her 2008 itinerary December 27 at Calvin Theater in Northampton, MA. Highlights include a October 30-November 1 run at 4th Street Live! in Louisville, KY. Lampanelli goes at it again in 2009, with a current start date of January 10 at Byham Theater in Pittsburgh, PA, and continuing through June 27 at the Detroit Opera House in Detroit, MI. Highlights of that run include a March 7 show at Wilbur Theatre in Boston, MA, and an April 4 performance at Newmark Theatre in Portland, OR.
Dengue Fever are bringing their brand of Cambodian psychedelic rock to the U.S. and Europe this fall with more than one dozen shows on the tour itinerary. The eight-date North American leg begins October 1 at The Barn in Rivberside, CA, and continues up the West Coast before returning to California on October 25 at The Loft in La Jolla. The band heads overseas then for a November 13 show at Babylon in Istanbul, TUR, and a November 15 gig at Sugar Club in Dublin, IRE, before settling in for a six-date UK run. Two California dates close the year: December 4 at Scripps College in Claremont, and December 24 at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles.
Rockabilly band The Blasters have a new block of November dates quickly approaching. The band continues its current itinerary with an October 24 performance at California Bike Week at the Fairplex in Pomona, CA, before playing two supporting dates. The solo sets kick off November 8 at Beale on Broadway in St. Louis, MO, and conclude with two shows on November 23 at B. B. King’s Blues Club in New York, NY. Highlights include a November 18 gig at Iron Horse in Northampton, MA, and a November 21 show at The Saint in Ashbury, NJ.
