Look ahead: 2013 concerts, comedy could beat last year's great lineup
BY JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer
Friday, December 28, 2012
12/28/12 at 8:14 AM
As Tulsa heads into 2013, its reputation as Music City only grows with its roster of upcoming concerts. Venues like the BOK Center, Cain's Ballroom, Brady Theater, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, River Spirit Casino and others have already started announcing shows well into the summer.
Plus, comedy is making a comeback in Green Country, as acts including Tenacious D, Dennis Miller and Louis C.K. each sold out local tour stops, making way for even more comedy.
Seriously, though, we didn't think it could get much better than 2012, with blockbuster concerts from Roger Waters, Van Halen, Carrie Underwood, The Smashing Pumpkins, Reba McEntire, Eddie Vedder, James Taylor, Lyle Lovett, Seal and dozens of others.
Yeah, it was a stellar year.
Right now, it looks like 2013 may trump 2012, so hold on to your seats (and get your tickets now). Here are some of the performances we're most excited about:
BOK Center
Feb. 14, The Who: Performing the rock opera "Quadrophenia" and greatest hits.
March 10, Muse: A rare arena tour from across the pond, from one of the U.K.'s most successful modern-day rock acts. Yes.
March 20, Lady Gaga: She returns for another, likely sold-out music and dance extravaganza for her little monsters. Let's just hope she starts the show on time.
May 1, Fleetwood Mac: Classic rock doesn't get any more classic or influential than this touring icon.
Aug. 7, Taylor Swift: She's dramatic and hyper but in a beloved way that helps her sell millions of concert tickets. Her arena shows are breathtaking feats of production wizardy.
Cain's Ballroom and Brady Theater
Feb. 9, Bill Maher: This stand-up comedian and popular TV host is sure to burn everyone with his political and social commentary. That's a good thing.
Feb. 15, The XX: This is a good time to catch the London indie pop band on its way up, before it hits the arena circuit - one big bonus of many concerts at Cain's Ballroom.
Feb. 21, Jamey Johnson: This country music singer-songwriter is honestly one of the best you'll ever hear. Or see.
March 13, They Might Be Giants: This quirky alt-rock band loves Tulsa - and the historic Cain's venue. Always a fun time.
March 23, Jim Gaffigan: This comedian has eight CD releases, more than a dozen movie appearances and dozens of TV shows to his credit, always commenting on American lifestyle.
Casinos
Jan. 25, Air Supply at River Spirit: The Austrialian soft-rock duo brings its greatest hits to Green Country.
Jan. 29, Matchbox Twenty: The pop-rock act will kick off its 2013 American tour at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.
Feb. 5, Diana Ross: The Motown icon brings her greatest hits from the Supremes and her long solo career to The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.
Feb. 8, WAR, Grand Funk Railroad at River Spirit: The American funk icons return for a hit-filled roster of '60s and '70s tunes.
March 2, Rita Rudner and Paul Reiser: "He Said, She Said" tour, Osage Event Center, sharp wit and soft-spoken sophistication collide on this comedy tour.
Oklahoma-tied acts and local artists
Jan. 18, Rascal Flatts at BOK Center: This band, featuring Picher native Joe Don Rooney, is one of the top-selling country touring acts.
Jan. 18, Junior Brown at Cain's Ballroom: This country classic has more character than the funny pages. His signature instrument is the "guit-steel" double neck guitar, a hybrid of electric guitar and lap steel guitar. His live show is spectacularly technical - in a spellbinding, jaw-dropping way.
Feb. 16, Broncho at Soundpony: This punk rebel-rouser is coming off tour stops with Social Distortion and yes, even the guy below. They're raging the college music charts.
Feb. 23, JD McPherson at Cain's Ballroom: This Broken Arrow rockabilly revivalist has been all over the map this year and his album, "Signs & Signifiers" was the most-radio-played Americana album of 2012. Period. He beat everyone, including Willie. Seriously.
Wish list
1. Garth Brooks: Duh. He lives here.
2. The Rolling Stones: The band's 50th anniversary should be celebrated at the BOK Center.
3. The Beach Boys: But only if it's with Brian Wilson. Otherwise, forget it. Or heck, bring Wilson solo. We'd go.
4. Black Sabbath: Because we're tired of hearing bad covers of "Paranoid," "Iron Man" and "War Pigs."
5. Leonard Cohen: Because we deserve it.
Original Print Headline: New roster of shows may trump 2012
Jennifer Chancellor 918-581-8346
jennifer.chancellor@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Lady Gaga will return to the BOK Center on March 20. MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World file
The one and only Junior Brown returns to Cain's Ballroom on Jan. 18. Courtesy
Singer-songwriter Jamey Johnson brings his music to the Cain's Ballroom on Feb. 21. KEVIN PYLE/For The Tulsa World
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