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Cory Wong Tickets

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About

Music motivates at the most primal level.

You instinctually hum a tune in order to get pumped up in the morning, for fuel on the treadmill, to soundtrack your commute, or as the pre-game to a big night out. As much as he treasures his roles as a guitarist, composer, and producer, Cory Wong fashions himself "a hype man," first and foremost. Living up to this classification, he slings a Stratocaster and hurls "dad jokes" from the stage with the same panache, poise, and power.

"For me, it's all about the listener's experience," he explains. "I want them to have a visceral response like: 'I feel better,' 'That was really fun,' or 'I got to escape for an hour.' You'll hear my voice through the guitar, but I'm just a hype man. To uplift audiences with instrumental music that has no singing or lyrics is a fun challenge. I'm trying to solve the riddle. If I can get one person to feel good this way, it's a success. 

Straight out of Minneapolis, Cory positioned himself as music's answer to motivational speakers like Tony Robbins since emerging in 2011. Head-spinning rhythm guitar wizardry, technical ebullience, laugh-out-loud jokes, and radiance on stage established him as both a sought-after collaborator and celebrated solo artist alike. He lent his talents to television programs such as The Voice at the dawn of his career. After an impromptu meeting at the weekly jam hosted by Prince's rhythm section (where the Purple One often either performed or watched), he crossed paths with Vulfpeck who welcomed him as a frequent collaborator and member of the band. Solidifying a fruitful partnership, the group named their most popular instrumental track "Cory Wong," in tribute. Lighting up the stage in the band everywhere from Red Rocks Amphitheatre to Madison Square Garden, he remains a cornerstone of Vulfpeck's storied gigs.

"I try to feature the guitar, but I don't force myself into being the star of every song," he says. "The instrument plays an appropriate role. It's not all flash. I'm bringing rhythm to the forefront where it's not so shreddy. I refer to it as 'Covert chops.' I'm doing things that are sneakily hard, but they lay in the cut. I allow the song to breathe and present myself as more of a composer rather than a guitar player."

In the end, Cory transmits joy in its purest form through the guitar.

"The guiding light is to impart a feeling of joy," he leaves off. "I want people to experience instrumental music in a different way. This is hype. It's more than just guitar."

Setlists

    1. 1.Out at Midnight
    2. 2.Flyers Direct (The Fearless Flyers cover)
    3. 3.Bluebird
    4. 4.Patrouille de France (The Fearless Flyers cover)
    5. 5.Stevie Wonder Medley
    6. 6.Gumshü
    7. 7.Angelino (New song)
    8. 8.Direct Flyte
    9. 9.305
    10. 10.Assassin (The Fearless Flyers cover)
    11. 11.Brooklyn Bop
    12. 12.Meditation
  1. Encore

    1. 13.Lunchtime
    2. 14.Dean Town (Vulfpeck cover)
    3. -Tongue Tied
    1. -Boombastic (Shaggy cover)
    2. 1.Lunchtime
    3. 2.The Grid Generation
    4. 3.Welcome 2 Minneapolis
    5. 4.Flamingo
    6. 5.Cory Wong (Vulfpeck cover)
    7. 6.Smooth Move
    8. 7.Strut With A Mutt
    9. 8.Lamplighter (New song)
    10. 9.Meditation
    11. 10.Direct Flyte
    12. 11.Separado
  1. Encore

    1. 12.Assassin (The Fearless Flyers cover)
    2. 13.Dean Town (Vulfpeck cover)
    3. -Tongue Tied
    1. 1.Ace of Aces (The Fearless Flyers cover)
    2. 2.Tidal Tail (Mark Lettieri cover)
    3. 3.Flyers Crusade (The Fearless Flyers cover)
    4. 4.Red Arrows (The Fearless Flyers cover)
    5. 5.Krass Wah
    6. 6.Gumshü (Chris Ott on trombone and sea shells)
    7. 7.Play With Me
    8. 8.Meditation
    9. 9.Cosmic Sans
    10. 10.Gigantactis (Mark Lettieri cover)
    1. 1.Gumshü
    2. 2.Sing a Song of Song (Kenny Garrett cover)
    3. 3.Krass Wah
    4. 4.Happy People (Kenny Garrett cover)
    5. 5.Briteapolis
    6. 6.Memories (Vulfpeck cover)
    7. 7.Chords Beat
    8. 8.When the Days Were Different (Kenny Garrett cover)
    9. 9.Home
    10. 10.Play With Me
    11. 11.Ace of Aces (The Fearless Flyers cover)
    1. 1.Gumshü
    2. 2.Status Man
    3. 3.Briteapolis
    4. 4.Manta
    5. 5.Knives
    6. 6.Home
    7. 7.Play With Me
    8. 8.Strut With A Mutt
    9. 9.Four Nations
    10. 10.Krass Wah
    11. 11.Ace of Aces (The Fearless Flyers cover)

Reviews

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 based on 156 reviews
  • This show was 50% of the show last year

    by BSul on 2/17/24The ELM - BozemanRating: 2 out of 5

    This show was 50% of the show last year …………….. xxxx …………

  • The Perfect Birthday Gift

    by Jessica on 2/15/24The Depot - Salt Lake CityRating: 5 out of 5

    I was just amazed at the talent of this group! Such high energy and it was a delight to watch. You won't be able to stand still - that's how good the music is. It was the perfect way to spend by birthday! My only complaint is that the venue didn't indicate when the doors opened vs. when the actual music would start. But since we showed up so early we got a great view of the stage haha. I'd definitely love to see Cory Wong again!

  • Infectious energy and amazing feel

    by Joe on 2/15/24The Depot - Salt Lake CityRating: 5 out of 5

    You've never seen a horn section this tight before.

  • Amazing ENERGY

    by Cate on 2/15/24The Depot - Salt Lake CityRating: 5 out of 5

    Cory Wong and the Wong Notes was an AMAZING show. Not only are they great musicians, but great entertainers! They brought consistent energy and personality to their performances. They connected with the audience and brought sweet, sweet music that connected with my soul. I consider myself a musical person and an amateur enthusiast for Jazz and Funk. I considered this a 'for musicians, by musicians' (i.e. jazz geeks) type concert but still accessible and enjoyable for a general audience. You will not regret seeing this group.

  • Insane talent. FOH made my ears bleed.

    by Gdiddy on 2/15/24The Depot - Salt Lake CityRating: 3 out of 5

    Cory Wong is top shelf. His band was top shelf. Whoever mixed the front of house show was out to kill. My ears have never hurt this bad. Loudest show I’ve ever seen. Painfully loud. Lawsuit loud. I don’t know if that’s Cory’s fault or not but it kind left me with a bad taste in my mouth… and I can’t hear now so there’s that.

  • Cory Wong's show

    by Lisa on 2/7/24Emo's Austin - AustinRating: 5 out of 5

    What an amazing night!!! The warm up band was amazing and the Team of Cory Wong was so positive, energetic and awesome!!! Best show I have ever seen! All on stage obviously LOVE what they do.

  • Cory

    by Momma bear on 2/7/24Emo's Austin - AustinRating: 5 out of 5

    Great time. He is so entertaining along with his drummer. My husband is a musician, drummer so I'm partial to drummers. So much energy!!! I loved it! Thank you.

  • Wong Delivers

    by Bluebird on 2/6/24Emo's Austin - AustinRating: 5 out of 5

    Tight group, high energy, and fun to watch. Cory does not let you down. Cheers

  • Outstanding Musicianship and Amazing Energy

    by Noel on 2/6/24Emo's Austin - AustinRating: 5 out of 5

    Went in with high expectations and they were exceeded! Cory Wong is masterful in his playing, performance and directing the band! Grid Nation was a big highlight for me and it was only the 2nd song of the set! All the musicians were so good that the complex arrangements seemed fun and that feeling definitely rubbed off on the audience! LA LOM, the opener, was incredible! Really enjoyable and very danceable. I'd love to attend the dances that they mentioned in the show.

  • Amazing musicianship and showmanship

    by Landon on 1/29/24Rating: 5 out of 5

    I saw Cory Wong with Victor Wooten about a year ago, the openers trousdale were fun. But a lot of people on the crowd were being very rowdy to the point where you couldn’t hear the band as well, really the crowds fault not the bands at all. When the Cory Wong band came out they blew me away everything was perfect, it’s the kind of music where you don’t have to know the songs to enjoy them and I had fun after the show trying to find the songs I enjoyed hearing live on Spotify. About halfway through the show Victor Wooten came out which changed the vibe of the concert but was also amazing. Unforgettable experience 10/10

  • Amazing in Toronto

    by A. C. on 6/11/23Rating: 5 out of 5

    Fabulous solos. Fantastic energy throughout. Cory was smiling entire time, having as much as the the crowd. Best concert I’ve been to.

  • Great performance; two minor quibbles

    by Audiobuzz on 3/6/23The Sylvee - MadisonRating: 4 out of 5

    Terrific performance by Wong’s band, the great Victor Wooten, and the talented women of Trousdale. The songs, the horn section, the tightness of the band were all top-notch. My two minor quibbles: the kick drum was so heavy in the audio mix that the bass lines from these two amazing bassists were sadly often swallowed up. Secondly, Wong’s bizarre “press conference” struck me as a pointless mess. I found it to be neither funny nor entertaining; just odd. All in all, however, a terrific, musically satisfying concert.

  • Only for Victor

    by Jen on 3/6/23The Sylvee - MadisonRating: 2 out of 5

    We only went to this event to see Victor Wooten. He didn’t disappoint! Trousdale and Cory Wong we’re not entertaining at all. They seemed to be doing a game show bit. Kinda silly.

  • So good live

    by Lonnsimm on 3/5/23The Sylvee - MadisonRating: 5 out of 5

    I went entirely to check seeing Victor Wooten off the check list. Had listened to Cory all day to know what I was getting on to. Hearing the horn section and the live energy was something entirely different. So glad I went to this show at a wonderful venue that didn’t exist when I lived in Madison.

  • Amazing show

    by LebeChad on 3/5/23The Sylvee - MadisonRating: 5 out of 5

    Show was absolutely fantastic. Would totally go to another one of Cory’s shows

  • High Energy, Fun, As Usual

    by TSClarke on 3/5/23The Sylvee - MadisonRating: 5 out of 5

    This is my third time seeing Cory in Madison and I guarantee it will NOT be my last. Always something new, love how he supports other artists as openers. Definitely prefer The Sylvee, much more accessible for mobility challenged. Feels more inclusive than Majestic.

  • Do yourself a favor

    by Longer Leenoche on 3/5/23The Sylvee - MadisonRating: 5 out of 5

    If you get a chance to see a Cory Wong show, just do it. You won't regret it. And you'll be a happier person afterward, just for seeing that show. Incredibly mindblowing. Best show I've seen at the Sylvee, and I've seen dozens. Beautiful venue, beautiful show.

  • Great show

    by Lew on 3/2/23State Theatre - PortlandRating: 5 out of 5

    The performance and the playing were great. The band was amazing and Victor Wooten and was Victor Wooten.

  • Blown away

    by Dadgad on 3/2/23State Theatre - PortlandRating: 5 out of 5

    Always love Wong and Wooten has been an all time favorite Bassist since i first heard him decades ago. But funny, seen alot of shows at State Theatre and sound has killed it for me. Bands over playing and literally have ruined shows for me. But these guys, and the openers, nailed it :-) sound quality was great, stage presence was theu the roof and coukdnt have been happier.

  • Best tourist artist hands down

    by Dylan L on 3/1/239:30 CLUB - WashingtonRating: 5 out of 5

    If I could be a Wonghead and travel the country seeing every one of his shows I would in a heartbeat. He is easily in the top 5 greatest musicians in the industry right now…he’s certainly the hardest working.