Willie Nelson, Gucci Mane, the Avett Brothers, and other stars are headed to New Orleans in 2019, where they’ll perform at the new second-floor nightclub at Harrah’s Casino. Inspired by San Francisco’s fabled hippie-era Fillmore theater, the new Fillmore New Orleans venue is set to open with a pair of shows by the Foo Fighters on Feb. 15-16 (both shows are already sold out).
The 2,200-capacity club will be operated by the Live Nation music production company. In a June interview, Live Nation chief operating officer for theaters and clubs Ben Weeden. Explained that though New Orleans has similarly sized venues, such as the Saenger Theater (which has a 2600 seat capacity) and the Mahalia Jackson Theater (which has room for 2,243), they are sit-down theaters that don’t provide the wide-open dance floor experience some traveling bands and music fans seek.
Weeden said that New Orleans sometimes loses out on shows that hop across the country because there’s no space available. The Fillmore New Orleans is meant to fill that void. Weeden also pointed out that Live Nation produces shows of all sizes in New Orleans, from 300-fan concerts at the House of Blues, which they operate, to occasional mega tours at the Superdome. Adding their own mid-sized venue completes the company’s “vertical integration” ladder.
Willie Nelson, Diana Ross, John Mellencamp, Gipsy Kings, Tony Bennett and Jeff Beck will be among the first to grace the new Austin City Limits studio in Downtown Austin.
ACL Live at the new Moody Theater launched its website Friday morning, making the much-awaited announcement about the first round of concerts that includes two nights with the big names. The first event on the calendar is the Imagination Movers on Feb. 10.
Still, not all the shows will be broadcast as part of the “Austin City Limits” show on PBS.
“Austin City Limits” will be taped inside the new Moody Theater, but Austin City Limits Live is something entirely different – with a wide range of its own concerts that also happen inside the Moody Theater.
Beginning in March, the Moody Theater inside the W Hotel will be the new home of the historic ACL television show, which had its last run at the University of Texas’ Communications building Nov. 8 inside the familiar Studio 6A – home to the show for 36 years.
Willie Nelson taped the pilot episode of “Austin City Limits” – before the iconic Austin city skyline backdrop was installed inside the studio – so it’s only fitting that he be among the first performers inside its new state-of-the-art home all these years later. The new studio is on Willie Nelson Boulevard – 310 W. 2nd St.
While photos of the inside of the new theater are prohibited — for now — ACL Live staff gave KXAN Austin News a sneak-peek inside the venue at the W Hotel on Tuesday afternoon.
ACL Live at the Moody Theater can host 2,700 concertgoers — just shy of nine times more than the old venue.
The venue will be a mixture of the old and new. “Austin City Limits,” the TV show, will share the space with the new venue, ACL Live, soon to be a concert facility with capabilities to house large, small or private events of all kinds.
Staff is developing a show series now to include big names in the entertainment world. They’re big names that will come to Austin’s newest performing venue that features a soon-to-be-glass enclosed balcony, walkways and 25 points of sale for bars and outdoor eateries.
The worst seats in the house will be nearly as good as the best seats, with no one seat being further away than 75 feet from the platform.
The stage itself is raised only four feet from the main seating level. It measures 40 feet by 33 feet, and is surrounded on three sides by three levels: main, mezzanine/club and balcony seating.
Various group and private dressing rooms and a green room are backstage, still to be constructed with drywall, paint and flooring. A smoking area is outside backstage, and is named for Willie Nelson — Austin’s own famous musical genius, a new statue of whom will be installed outside at the bottom of the main staircase to greet visitors to this new performing hall.
“Shotgun Willie” may sit around in his underwear but next April, he’ll be a “Sharp Dressed Man” Taking the iconic stage at Whitewater Amphitheater in New Braunfels, Willie Nelson and ZZ Top will perform together on April 14 and 15, 2023.
While Nelson is known, among many things, for his perpetual tour (think: On the Road Again), ZZ Top tours are few and far between. This will no doubt make their two-night appearance in New Braunfels all the more special, especially as Nelson approaches his 90th birthday just a few weeks after these April shows.
Nelson will be joined by his family band, albeit without his pianist and sister, Bobbie, who passed away in 2022. ZZ Top also lost a beloved member of the band in recent years when bassist and founding member Dusty Hill passed away in 2021. Elwood Francis stepped into the role for ZZ Top’s recent tours, which have included mostly Texas stops of late.
Nelson was recently nominated for four Grammys in the upcoming 65th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best Country Solo Performance (“Live Forever” Willie Nelson); Best Country Song (“I’ll Love You Till The Day I Die,” along with Rodney Crowell and Chris Stapleton); Best Country Album (A Beautiful Time); and Best Roots Gospel Album (The Willie Nelson Family).
The shows will take place on Friday, April 14, and Saturday, April 15, both starting at 8 pm (doors at 6:30 pm). Tickets are already on pre-sale through the venue’s website (sign up for the venue’s newsletter to receive the pre-sale code).
Super fans can also purchase special VIP packages. A ZZ Top Gold Premium Ticket Package available directly through the venue’s ticketing site includes one GA standing ticket, early entry, a limited edition concert poster, and a copy of ZZ Top’s “RAW” Standard Edition LP.
Meanwhile, members of Nelson’s Club Luck Presale can nab a special VIP package consisting of a seated ticket with early entry, loads of exclusive Willie Nelson merchandise and keepsakes, an MP3 digital download of the live show, and more.
The holidays on Maui will be highlighted this year with a special Willie Nelson & Family concert Friday, Dec. 23 outside under the stars in the MACC’s A&B Amphitheater and Yokouchi Pavilion. This concert is only happening on Maui and only happening at the MACC, featuring music legend Willie Nelson joined by Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, and Particle Kid (Micah Nelson).
The concert starts at 6:15 p.m. and gates open at 5 p.m.
Tickets go on sale online only at MauiArts.org to MACC members Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 10 a.m. and to the general public Saturday, Nov. 12 at 10 a.m.
With a seven-decade career, Willie Nelson has earned every conceivable award as a musician and amassed reputable credentials as an author, actor, and activist.
He continues to thrive as a relevant and progressive musical and cultural force. In recent years, he has delivered more than a dozen new albums, released a Top 10 New York Times’ bestselling book, again headlined Farm Aid, an event he co-founded in 1985, been honored by the Library of Congress with their Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, received his 5th degree black belt in Gong Kwon Yu Sul, headlined the annual Luck Reunion food and music festival during SXSW, launched his cannabis companies Willie’s Reserve and Willie’s Remedy, and graced the covers of Rolling Stone and AARP The Magazine.
In July 2020, Willie released his album First Rose of Spring – an atmospheric soulful showcase of beautifully written songs and poignant performances.
September 2020 brought a memoir with his sister and pianist Bobbie Nelson titled, Me and Sister Bobbie: True Tales of The Family Band.
For 2021, he released a new studio album That’s Life, Willie’s second album of standards and classics made famous by Frank Sinatra (his first, 2018’s My Way, earned Willie the Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Solo Album). In June 2021, a collection of his thoughts on America, family, faith and music hit shelves as a new book titled Willie Nelson’s Letters to America. In November 2021, Nelson released the new studio album, The Willie Nelson Family, a collection of country gospel-flavored songs performed by Willie’s Family Band.
April 2022 brought another new studio album, A Beautiful Time, which includes a variety of newly-written future pop-country classics including five new Willie Nelson/Buddy Cannon compositions. These creative endeavors as well as new songs and performances that add to his classic catalog, find Willie Nelson rolling at an artistic peak, writing and singing and playing with the seasoned wit and wisdom that comes from the road.
One of the finest, in-demand rock ‘n’ roll ensembles working today, Lukas Nelson & POTR (Promise of the Real) have been bringing their powerful, joyous live show to concert stages everywhere. The live shows promise well-known POTR hits alongside new favorites, with a recent review proclaiming “[their] set was nothing short of inspired.”
Fresh off the band’s success with 2019’s Turn Off The News (Build A Garden), in 2021 their widely acclaimed studio album, A Few Stars Apart — with standout singles Perennial Bloom (Back To You) and Wildest Dreams — once again catapulted POTR to #1 on the Americana albums charts for seven non-consecutive weeks. Declared “His best album, yet” by Rolling Stone, A Few Stars Apart is Lukas Nelson’s testament to finding a human connection: between close family and friends, as well as one’s own heart.
“The game, for me, is to find a unique way of expressing something that we all feel,” said Nelson. “In spite of being influenced by so many different types of music and musicians, country music, in particular, seems to pull the strongest. Country songs can really get you in the gut, you know? And the simplicity on the surface, with the underlying complexity, fascinates me.”
Lukas Nelson & POTR (bassist Corey McCormick, drummer Anthony LoGerfo, percussionist Tato Melgar, and multi-instrumentalist Logan Metz) have wowed audiences and won fans with their fiery stage performances and singular sound, which smoothly straddles rock & roll, country, soul, folk and R&B. Since their debut over a decade ago, the band has toured relentlessly, playing countless sold-out one-night shows and festivals around the world, and occasionally serving as Neil Young’s road band. Nelson also co produced the Grammy-winning music for 2018’s lauded A Star Is Born film.
Composer/multi-media artist Micah Nelson has a remarkable output that spans the creative spectrum unlike few others. The Los-Angeles based visionary, who produces art under the moniker Particle Kid, finds no boundaries in his creativity. Particle Kid has also released six albums of his original music, including his April 2022 release Time Capsule, a 26-song musical journey through time, space, and consciousness. It features guest appearances from Jim James, Sean Ono Lennon, J Mascis, Margo Price, The Lovely Eggs, and Micah’s dad Willie Nelson on three tracks including Die When I’m High (Halfway to Heaven). His previous albums – self-titled debut Particle Kid, Everything Is Bull#hit, Particle War, Window Rock, Live!
Underground – are just part of the catalog of work Nelson has amassed with other artists and musicians. He often joins his brother’s band, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, and is part of Neil Young’s band, touring and recording with Young as well as part of his full-length film Paradox. For Record Store Day in 2018, he released Lucky Wheel, a split 12” vinyl collaboration with punk legend and X co-founder John Doe. He created the cover art on Willie’s recent studio album First Rose of Spring. (Willie coined Micah “Particle Kid,” when he misspoke a “prodigal son” greeting.) On tour year round, Particle Kid has headlined shows around the world as well as opened for The Flaming Lips, Tinariwen, Margo Price, and Sheryl Crow, and been part of the lineup for Luck Reunion, UTOPiAfest, and the Outlaw Music Festival.
This concert is presented by Bill Silva and BAMP Project.
Tickets are $55 (GA), $65, $85, $125, and $195 (Gold Circle), all plus applicable fees. Gold Circle tickets offer premium seating and exclusive access to the Yokouchi Pavilion bars and restrooms. Tickets go on sale online only to MACC members first Wednesday, November 9 at 10 a.m. and to the general public Saturday, Nov. 12 at 10 a.m. To become a MACC member and receive advance purchase privileges among other benefits, log on to MauiArts.org/membership. MACC members at the ‘Ohi‘a Level and above qualify for advance ticket purchases and ticket limits apply.
All ticket sales are online only at MauiArts.org. The MACC Box Office is not open for window sales but is available for ticketing inquiries only Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., by phone at 808-242-SHOW (7469) or email boxoffice@mauiarts.org.
www.click2houston.com by: Daniela Sternitzky-Di Napoli
Live Nation’s new Houston venue is scheduled to open in just a few months.
According to a news release, the 713 Music Hall will be ready for its official unveiling on Nov. 17, with Willie Nelson as the inaugural performance.
“The much-anticipated concert venue will start to host an eclectic range of shows this November with tickets on sale Friday, Aug. 13 at 10 a.m. on 713MusicHall.com.”
Here is a look at the opening concert lineup:
Nov. 17: Willie Nelson & Family
Nov. 18: RÜFÜS DU SOL with Flight Facilities
Nov. 19: RÜFÜS DU SOL with Flight Facilities
Nov. 20: Whiskey Myers with The Steel Woods, Bones Owens
Nov. 21: Evanescence + Halestorm with Plush
Dec. 31: Khruangbin with Aidan Kennedy
Feb. 11: Erasure with Bag Raiders
The venue was announced earlier in 2021 and will be “one of the most unique performance venues in Texas.”
“Housed in the city’s latest major downtown development project POST Houston, the 713 Music Hall will be a key anchor in transforming the historic Barbara Jordan Post Office into a hub for culture, food, shopping and recreation with an expected 100 events annually,” the release said.
The venue has a capacity for 5,000 people and, according to the release, will bring job opportunities for people looking to work in venue and event management.
Willie just announced a rescheduled date for Bonner Springs, KS! Join ZZ Top & Willie Nelson w/ George Thorogood & the Destroyers at Azura Amphitheater on August 8th. Tickets are on sale this Friday @ 11am CST through Ticketmaster here: https://bit.ly/3cbGm01
Age has only seemed to improve Willie’s performance. His thin, haggard appearance adds even more authenticity to his outlaw country style. Time has given his voice an extra twang and his sad songs an extra gravitas. To belabor the point: He’s been singing “Funny How Time Slips Away” for more than 50 years.
The band was fantastic, Willie’s guitar is still on point and daughter Amy even made a cameo, harmonizing with her father. The show concluded with a gospel medley that was uniquely Willie. He combined old-timey salvation standards with “It’s All Going to Pot” and “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die.” It made for an exquisite country catharsis:
Just keep the music playin’/ That’ll be a good goodbye/ Roll me up and smoke me when I die.
Set List
Whiskey River Beer For My Horses Good Hearted Woman Funny How Time Slips Away Crazy Night Life Down Yonder Me and Paul If You’ve Got the Money, I’ve Got the Time Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground On the Road Again Always on My Mind Jambalaya Hey Good Lookin’ Move it On Over Nuages Georgia on a Fast Train Georgia On My Mind
August 10: Lincoln, NE – Pinewood Bowl Theater w/Willie Nelson & Family Avett Guild pre-sale TOMORROW (May 11) at noon local venue time. Public on-sale Thursday, May 13 at 10am CDT. Show info at bit.ly/AvettWillie
