Today’s tour recap includes cancellations, announcements and more as compiled by TicketNews on November 25, 2008.
Three men have been arrested and charged with scalping counterfeit tickets outside Madonna’s November 22 concert in Atlantic City, NJ. Police confiscated 26 fake tickets, totaling $9,100. … The hottest tickets Down Under aren’t for the Queen of Pop, though — they’re for American Southern rock troupe, Kings of Leon. The rocker’s March run of Australia and New Zealand is proving so popular that extra dates have been added at various venues along the way.
In other news, Backstreet Boys had to cancel a show on the closing run of U.S. dates after Nick Carter fell ill. Meanwhile, Mary Chapin Carpenter may be off the road, but she’s staying busy. The musician has become the latest in the industry to sign a deal to write columns for a major U.S. newspaper.
Those are the full reports in today’s concert and ticket news, but read up on more itinerary announcements in brief….
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, currently coming off a European tour, will hit North American early in 2009 for almost 40 performances. Known for providing the backing vocals on Paul Simon’s African-influenced album “Graceland,” the group has recorded dozens of albums since the 1960s and received numerous awards. The extensive trek begins January 24 at Zellerback Theatre in Philadelphia, PA, and wraps on March 21 at the Center for Arts in Lancaster, CA. Along the way, Mambazo has notable gigs on January 31 at Town Hall in New York, NY, February 14 at Rialto Theatre in Atlanta, GA, and March 5 at Belly Up in Aspen, CO, as well as a March 16-17 run at Mondavi Center in Davis, CA.
Air Supply will continue supplying music to live audiences through 2009 with some recently added performances for the New Year. The vocalists’ first show for 2009 is currently se for January 24 at The Rosebud Theatre in Effingham, IL, with several casino runs following: March 27-28 at Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City, OR, April 3-5 at Suncoast Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV, and July 10-11 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Csino in Biloxi, MS, as well as May 21-24 and September 3-6 at the Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. An early May run of Australia is currently in the works for early May.
Kathy Mattea will perform a handful of U.S. dates this December before heading across the pond for a January tour of the UK and returning stateside for a late winter/early spring run of the U.S. The bluegrass and country musician’s next show is December 7 at Mountain Stage in Charleston, WV, with U.S. shows booked through December 20 at Midland Theatre in Newark, OH. Following her January 21 through February 1 run of the UK, Mattea will be back in the States for more than 20 performances, including a February 14 show at Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree in Nashville, TN, March 19 at The Tarrytown Music Hall in Tarrytown, NY, April 22-23 at Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in College Park, MD, and May 16 at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center in Frederick, MD.
Little Big Town, currently on tour with Carrie Underwood, will be flying solo in 2009 with more than 20 performances scheduled from January 25 at CB Smith park in Pembroke Pines, FL, through September 26 at Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, MA. A majority of the country group’s concerts are booked for early 2009, including a February 6 show at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Biloxi, MS, a February 28 gig at Sam’s Town Casino in Las Vegas, NV, a March 19 performance at Northern Lights Theater in Milwaukee, WI, and a March 29 show at Johnston Theatre in Tulsa, OK.
Great Big Sea, often abbreviated to GBS, has added a new run of March concerts to the 2009 itinerary. The 10-date stretch begins March 5 at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA, and continues through March 21 at Ottawa Civic Center Arena in Ottawa, ON. Highlights of the trek include a March 12 gig at Halifax Metro Centre in Halifax, NS, a March 19 show at the John Labatt Centre in London, ON, and a March 20 concert at Metropolis in Montreal, QC. The predominantly Canadian run includes one other U.S. date: March 6 at the House of Blues in Chicago, IL.
