Ian Anderson Tickets

Trotted out some old gems, engaging patter between songs. A real old pro.

As the title says, Ian is the consumate musician. He keeps doing it year after year and always finds new ways of keeping things fresh. Yes, some of the songs he plays are literally from 40 years ago, but they as fresh and vital as the day they came out on LP! He also surrounds himself with not only seasoned Tull members, but also young, aspiring and prodigy musicians. In this concert for example he invites Nina Basin, a Carnegy fellow to join in on viola and Florian Opahle (seen on other rubbing elbows and orchestral shows) on guitar. My only regret was not hearing some other favorites, but truly, how does one select which songs to play out of 41 years of writing and recording? Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull are a legend.

I went to see the one legged flute player, but was focused on the two legged babe on violin. The show held it's own, no complaints.

Ive been going to Tull concerts since 1976 and although Mr.Andersons vocals arent what they used tobe,who s are?,the range of talent from his backing musicians as well as his own instrumentals skills seems to be improving with age.It was such a pleasure to hear the OLD tull songs that they sounded even better than the originals.Took a first time Tull attendee who was blown away by the show!I hope he keeps coming back so next time I can bring my son.

Great Show excelent mix of styles and instruments. lots of fun

In the 30 years or so that I have been making my way to Tull concerts, Ian Anderson has nearly never disappointed me and this past Wednesday was no exception. As a Tull fan, I appreciated the new arrangements of familiar material but especially so, the variety of obscure titles also performed such as "March the Mad Scientist" and "Back to the Family." Ian is a brilliant musician and entertainer; a true artist that has both honed his craft and has created a library of the most unique and evolved music that has come from the 60's-70's. The one somewhat disappointing aspect of the show was that it was basically Ian playing with the "new" Tull lineup even though it was billed as "Ian Anderson." I truthfully did not know what to anticipate, but was expecting only Ian Anderson playing his acoustic material with a string quartet or something else with orchestral instrumentation. Tull audiences are mostly an orderly and respectful group but to the crowd this past Wednesday, I will say that I am particularly disappointed in what seems to be a growing inability to differentiate between behavior better suited at sporting events rather than musical performances. It is irritating to pay the high price for a concert these days only to have the entertainment interrupted, particularly at the quiet moments, because some sorry fools in the audience feel the need to insert themselves into the show. Apart from that, I hope that Ian continues as long as he is physically capable!

I knew going in that it was going to be in acoustic show and it was an interesting show. However, I came away wishing that at least part of it was electric. Some of the Tull favorites just seem to need to be played loud and proud. Ian was very engaging with the audience and talked about the wide variety of instrumentation to be used in a particular song as well as some of the history and mindset he was in when he wrote it. I found that very interesting and the musicians who were in the band were all fine craftsmen. It was very intimate with a lot of lesser known Tull songs. They were good, but it seemed a little slow. The crowd seemed primed and ready to break out, but the slower pace seemed to keep it in check. I expected more of the known classics after the break and was surprised to get more of the same for the first half hour of that set. Ian did break out a bit for the final 2 or 3 songs (Aqualung, Locomotive Breath) and it definitely ignited the crowd. Unfortunately, just as the crowd's energy level was high, the show ended. I'm glad I went, but wouldn't rush back for another acoustic show- electric and acoustic yes, acoustic only, no.

If you are an Ian Anderson Tull fan, you had to love the enchanted evening of acoustic sound performed by Ian Anderson leading a group of young talented musicians that embraced the music of Jethro Tull. Each individual artist contributed to the rearranged Tull songs that we have enjoyed since the late 60's along with a couple of new songs. While Ian does not have the energy he had 40 plus years ago, he still could not sit on his stool for long without gracing the stage with his flute and leading the band and the audience to new highs. Ian has proven that he is one of rock music's most lasting talented icon's by his versatility and ability to play all types of music, blues, jazz, classical, hard soft and progressive rock, folklore and songs from the woods! Ians musicians were able to keep up with him as he played several differnet instruments demonstrating his and their diverse knowledge of music. I only wish I could have joined on stage and help Ian sing.

I love Jethro Tull, but I have never gotten around to seeing them, so I was really looking forward to this concert. Ian was still the showman I had heard about. I hadn't heard of some of the songs, but I knew enough. He is still a great musician! The other musicians were also very talented. The Vic was a great venue--just the right size and you can drink beer during the show. It was a seated show, so it was very comfortable. Chit chatting with my "neighbors" during breaks made it very relaxed and intimate.

such a fabulous performance ... loved the size of the show. such an intiment setting at the vic. well done Ian!

Great show! Ian Anderson proved once again what a genius he is -- remaking his classics with an classy acoustic flair!

The show was amazing. Ian & Co. really deliver.

almost three hundred songs to his credit the master is a live and well, the venue. . .should be bull dozed! The great master deserves a bit better place to perform his majic.

The acoustic Ian Anderson concert at the Vic's in Chicago was incredible! He had excellent musicians accompanying him. Florian Opahle, was superb, playing the guitar with intricate passages that were just phenomenal! He also had a woman from Iran playing the viola, and a African oriented chap from London on drums; it was a culturally diversified group that helped bring on a feeling of cultural wholeness and harmony! The viola was exquisite, with passionate and very intricate parts played throughout the evening, and the drums were sweet! John O'Hara was very accomplished on the keyboards and on the accordion. I play synthesizer accordion occasionally as a hobby, and I thought John did an impeccable job! (Listen to one of my self-created pieces on YouTube as you watch me fly a Sport Kite; do a search on "Kite Tricking, Bees, and Synthesizers") Anyway, the concert was very entertaining; Ian Anderson still would go on one leg and move around the stage quite a bit. How can he still do that at his age?! It was a wonderful, very special experience! (By the way, Ian's early albums remind me a lot about J. Krishnamurti's teachings and books; splendid holistic philosophy!)

one should see these guys at least once in their lifetime. it's absolutely amazing.

Ian was entertaining as always! I always enjoy his early works. It good that he also helps promote these new, young artists get some well deserved time in the spot light! Ian is a class act!!!!!

Amazing musician who brought some other amazing musicians to play incredible music. Beautiful, smart and challenging and engaging music that will keep you at the edge of your seat.

Unbelievable

Great Concert, Great seats and great time!!!

What more can be said other than incredible. Ian Anderson and his band impressed the hell out of a packed house at the Vic Theater playing old Jethro Tull standards and some real rare jems. A perfect evening with five other musicians in an acoustic setting was a delight to see and hear. Ian packed up and hit the road for some select shows without Martin Barre and Doane Perry, but he did bring along some familiar faces. David Goodier and John O'Hara had filled in the gaps on bass and accordian for the short tour bringing some whiskers to the stage. Florian Ophale stepped into the mighty big shoes he had to fill on guitar. Meena Bhasin came and sat in on viola during some of the songs for this wonderful eclectic version of Jethro Tull music. Opening the night out with "Dun Ringell" was a shock to most Tull fans, but immediately going into "March the mad Scientist" was just overwhelming. The set list had been a nice mix of the B side material and some of the more popular stuff. An excellent event for the true fans of Jethro Tull music. Different versions of "Locomotive Breathe" and "Aqualung" closed out the show. The variations of the these staple songs were delightful to hear within the new rendition of them. You thought that your ears started to play tricks on you when they first went into these songs. Well done. "Jack in the Green" and "Bouree" were a couple other pieces that filled up the allowed time for the show. Listening to these songs again without the pops and hiss of the vinyl left you asking one question, Where's Jethro?