Great concert. Played a little too many unfamiliar new songs but was still incredible.
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About
John Mellencamp in Concert
John Mellencamp has been bringing his brand of American heartland rock to fans since the late '70s, when his raw, rootsy sound set him apart from the arena rockers in vogue at the time. The Midwestern twang that adds to his signature vocal style also informs his songs, as he details the ups and downs of the everyday working folks he grew up among. The rough-and-ready roots-rock sound he perfected on milestone '80s albums like ‘American Fool’ and ‘Scarecrow’ has remained a crucial touchstone for Mellencamp's concerts, regardless of where he falls in the roots–rock spectrum at any given phase. And when he delivers classics like "Jack & Diane," "Pink Houses," "Small Town," or "Hurts So Good," he digs deep for a gritty, from-the-gut delivery that connects with his audiences in an immediate, visceral way. From his 2017 Sad Clowns and Hillbillies tour with guests Emmylou Harris and Carlene Carter to his 2018 Other People's Stuff tour, Mellencamp's latter-day outings have shown that the veteran road dog only gets tougher and more determined.
John Mellencamp Background
John Mellencamp was born in Indiana in 1951, and worked with a series of bands throughout his teens, but in the mid '70s he managed to hook up with David Bowie manager Tony DeFries, which led to his first record deal, under the name Johnny Cougar. He scored his first hit, the rocking "I Need a Lover," in 1979, but it was his 1982 album ‘American Fool’ that really broke him through to the big time. The massive hits "Jack & Diane" and "Hurts So Good" made him a bona fide rock star. On subsequent '80s albums like ‘Uh-huh’ and ‘Scarecrow,’ Mellencamp (finally working under his own surname) developed the sharp, sociopolitical side of his lyrical sensibilities. On songs like "Pink Houses," "Small Town," and "Scarecrow," he sang of and for the working people who are the heart and soul of America, and Mellencamp became an American icon in the process. But despite his Grammy award, his mega-Platinum record sales, and his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame membership, Mellencamp has never lost sight of the people who put him where he is, and they're still the focus of his music.
Rating: 4 out of 5by Anonymous on 11/1/10Indiana University Auditorium - Bloomington Rating: 2 out of 5by INCouple on 11/1/10Indiana University Auditorium - Bloomington Updated original songs with new melody. Don't change the original songs! Disappointing. Have previously seen Mellencamp in concert numerous times, but very disappointing this time.
Rating: 5 out of 5 MELLENCAMP ROCKED THE AUDITORIUM!!!
by iuando on 11/1/10Indiana University Auditorium - BloomingtonStarted out a little scary. He seemed to have a frog in his throat the first song or so. He warmed up nicely and proceeded to put a new twist on the old hits and really wowed the crowd with the new and old stuff!
Rating: 4 out of 5by indiankay on 11/1/10Indiana University Auditorium - Bloomington Great show. It was just a little odd watching the documentary film.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Mellencamp still rocks!!
by Rella2010 on 11/1/10Indiana University Auditorium - BloomingtonThe concert was amazing. John treated us to very personalized show. Small, intimate setting, he performed a few tunes solo and it was so awesome. He still looks great, sounds great and puts on a fantastic show. He played "Jackie Brown" and the crowd was so quiet during the song you could hear John's fingers sliding on the guitar strings... seemed like everyone was so into the show. He played the guitar more than I have seen him play in any other show he has put on, and it was great. The fiddle//violin player was wonderful, as was the rest of the band. I can only add to "keep on rockin" John.
Rating: 1 out of 5 A must miss concert
by Nicknamesmickname on 11/1/10Indiana University Auditorium - BloomingtonI'm a huge Mellencamp fan and have seen him several times over the years and his concerts have always been among the best I've seen. However, the show in Bloomington was a major dude. The entire show was done in the style of the new album rather than playing the songs the way we remember them. He played very few of his hits and when he did they were played slower or completely differently. I wanted to see a John Mellencamp concert, and instead got a the equivalent of American Idols' Robert Johnson night.
Rating: 5 out of 5 John Mellencamp
by Aflower9 on 11/1/10Indiana University Auditorium - BloomingtonIt was the most fabulous rock concert I have ever attended. Way better than I had even expected. It was my first time to see John and he rocked my socks off! Actually, he nearly rocked my clothes off -- the bass drum was so loud and electrified that my clothes literally shook against my skin! My heart bounced off all the walls of my chest and I think even my blood percolated!! It was AWESOME!!!! The band really is the best in the country right now, I do believe. And John was at his finest. His vocals were just ON and he was so on top of his game. What a great night.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Awesome Experience
by Warner on 11/1/10Indiana University Auditorium - BloomingtonStraight up awesome experience. Great song selection, great performances, awesome show and good balance. Truly a life experience for me.
Rating: 5 out of 5 John is still great
by ifightauthority on 10/31/10Indiana University Auditorium - BloomingtonJohn's new stuff is wonderful and the new twists on the old stuff is also great!
Rating: 3 out of 5 Very little rocking going on!
by Indianagirl59 on 10/31/10Indiana University Auditorium - BloomingtonWe've seen John numerous times over the years.... from small venues to large. This time, we had row 2 seats and I was ready to rock... unfortunately, John wasn't. To my disappointment, he played mostly music from his two latest albums. While I know that his musical taste is evolving and respect that, I think he should have mixed it up a little more - keeping in mind what made him famous. Even the old standards were often changed up... The tempo and music to the intro of Jack and Diane was so different that I didn't even recognize the song until he actually sang the words "Little ditty...."
Rating: 5 out of 5 Great Show
by tigger88 on 10/31/10Indiana University Auditorium - BloomingtonI really like the performances, but I did not see the beginning of the movie which I would have like to have seen. I was there at 625 so I could see the movie. Hope they change that for the future shows.
Rating: 5 out of 5by Anonymous on 10/31/10Indiana University Auditorium - Bloomington John Mellencamp Rocked the house down!! Was a great show!
Rating: 5 out of 5 excellent !
by digg3r on 10/31/10Indiana University Auditorium - BloomingtonWhat can we say John put on one hell of a show in his hometown. We were glad to have attended and the seats were great.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Amazing
by Daddy23 on 10/31/10Indiana University Auditorium - BloomingtonThe concert was not only intimate but he rocked!!!
Rating: 5 out of 5 Amazing energy!
by Cherie74 on 9/8/10Yakima county Stadium - YakimaDrove 4 hours to get to the show. My husband and I were fortunate enough to stand front row in front of the stage. We loved the show. He had so much energy! We are looking forward to seeing him again when he comes back to the NW.
Rating: 5 out of 5 As good in concert as on TV!
by kaycei on 8/30/10Old Mill district - BendJohn was excellent in concert! I was impressed that he was as good in person as he is on Farm Aid or on CDs; the sound was the same. A few of the song arrangements were changed a little, but still very good. They performed a few songs of his new album and I liked them quite a bit. His fiddler was very good! I wouldn’t definitely go see him in concert again; well worth the money!
Rating: 1 out of 5 John Mellencamp - Leave Politics at Home!
by cindy080610 on 8/12/10Fieldhouse Concert - IndianapolisI love Johns music, I have been a big, big, fan of his since the 70's "I need a Lover" came out. I have also seen him in concert many times. However, this last time we went to see him he talked politics and gave his political views more than he sang! John, we just want to hear your music and that's what we paid for. Please leave your political views at home or at another more appropriate place! I won't be spending money to see him any longer if he continues to keep this up! Just a word of advice to him!
Rating: 1 out of 5 Disappointing
by MitchMitch on 7/29/10Casino Rama - OrilliaJust songs. Not much entertainment. He didn't seem like he actually was enjoying himself.
Rating: 4 out of 5 the concert was too short
by Kiddies3 on 7/25/10The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor - WindsorThe concert was too short and he did not SING Cherry bomb..which was disappointing
Rating: 5 out of 5 Still got it and gettin' better!
by LoulouJM on 7/21/10Casino Rama - OrilliaThis was our 26th time seeing John in concert, and this was definitely one of the best! The man is like a fine wine...improving with age! Loved the new album songs he played and can't wait for it to come out August 17th.