Leo Kottke Tickets

Even though I am not a guitarist, Kottke has been an inspiration to me as an artist for a long time. This performance showed why. He is always experimenting musically, even with standbys he has played for years, so they are fresh and surprising each time I hear him perform. He is always (even if ever so loosely) tied to a melody, so his rhythmic improvs are anchored in a way that never loses the listener. A couple of pieces had a melancholy feel, but even in those the playfulness of his expression keeps you buoyed up. A side thought is that his stage persona seems totally unlike his playing, to me. They're alike in their spontaneity, but his musical pieces have a lot more structure. :) It makes an intriguing combo.

Leo Kottke is a true treasure! What an amazing talent and so personable, too. Just loved the show!!!!

We thoroughly enjoyed Leo, as always. He is entertaining, funny and so very talented.

The show opened with 2 gentlemen on a spartan stage. One was a guitar player and vocalist, the other played the violin, accordion, and keyboards. There were no introductions, they just got right to their music. Many members of the audience thought it was Leo and an accompanist. Both were great musicians. After 45 minutes of playing they walked off stage with a comment barely heard about the Leo Kottke band and not getting to play in such a nice joint very often. Stage hands came out and cleared the stage. The audience were wondering what they had gotten for their money, some putting on coats and getting ready to leave when a stage hand brings out a chair and a singe mike. Guess there is more to the concert... Leo came out and did a great job entertaining the audience with his guitar playing and amusing, rambling, stories. It is great that he can talk and tune at the same time, as he did a lot of on stage retuning. A few throat clearings on mike were apologized for, but mildly irritating. His voice actually sounded better than what I remember from the 70's. I think I remember one reviewer referring to his 'mouth full of gravel' sound. The audio from the balcony was barely acceptable. Especially the vocals mikes. A bit short in both volume and quality. At my age I don't often ask for more volume. All in all a great evening of entertainment, but missing a bit of garnish.

I always rave about Leo Kottke. Have seen his show every year. He was well, Leo. Is there any more to say? See him and you will never forget him or his music. Now about the State Theatre. I had front row tickets so expected some respect - ok? - walked into the state and was practically accosted by one of the guards (usher in disguise) asking me to open my jacket (why? I asked - to see if you have a camera in there!) Unbelieveable!! Then he told me - no cameras!. That's it. That is the State Theatre. Had a lousy experience there with the ushers last year too (dont remember what, don't want to) Don't like the State Theatre but what are you going to do? Leo is a must every year, so put up with State and try to ignore the staff. I was really frustrated there was a warm up group. Not my style - accordian, violin, guitar - 2 men- one singing off key. Different and I was drifting off into a dreamstate when 35 minutes later I was relieved to hear them pack up their instruments. A long intermission before Leo started. Relief from the earlier music for me. It seemed a lot of folk appreciated their music so I'm happy for them, just not for me. OK, then. That's it.

Leo, being fully in the senior citizen category - such as myself - still maintains an astounding ability to be creative. Being well acquaintainted with his music since the early 70's, each time I've seen him, he's still able to turn the music upside down or inside out by playing old favorites in different ways. He still loves performing and it's obvious. He is hilarious to listen to - the stories paint impressions he's gathered and they display his ability as a human to still be amazed at things he observes which is the life blood of any good artist. His observations are astute but sincere and, for me he is grounded in reality - you know when he's home he takes out the trash or does dishes - the things of life that other artists become disconnected from. It was well worth the hundred plus mile drive. The theater - the Orpheum is about a hundred years old - recently restored and the sound was the best I've ever heard. Great venue. Something about the way those old halls were designed.

I've never met Leo Kottke, but I've listened to him play and sing since at least the early seventies. We've both got some miles on us since those days, but I really enjoyed hearing his 12 string sing last night. Leo's self deprecating style and his colorful stories made it seem like an old friend came to town and just happened to have his guitar in the back seat. I know that musicians enjoy his syncopated style and a range of music that seem to match one for any and every mood. For me, I just find myself closing my eyes and taking it all in, remembering times long ago when I would come in from guiding canoe trips in northern Minnesota and Ontario, and when many of my fellow guides would play guitar and sing all the songs we could think of into the wee hours of the night. Yeah, I'd recommend an evening with Leo Kottke - an old friend that I have never met.

Not only is Leo Kottke an extremely talented entertainer, the intimacy of the SF Orpheum Theater made you feel like he was playing just for you and a group of your friends. The music, the sounds, the stories are all part of great experience that no acoustic guitar music lover would want to miss.

Holy Moley! What a show. 2 encores. and still wanting more. Leo has not lost a step. What an artist, I'm amazed by his talent.

Been a long time fan and happily brought my children to share in this fantastic concert.

If you've never seen Leo Kottke you're missing out on a great show. Make that two great shows because between playing guitar pieces with jaw-dropping technique Leo entertains the audience with funny, rambling monologues that are a delight to absorb! The man is seriously funny as well as being an amazing guitar virtuoso. The best discription I can give of his segues is that's it's like he's talking to himself and we get to listen in. What a character! And the music is utterly amazing -- he can sound like three guitarists by himself (and make it look effortless). Kottke's a great entertainer and my wife and I agree it was the most enjoyable show we've ever seen. Though we've listened to his music for years this was our first show and we won't miss another if we can help it!

I feel extremely fortunate to have seen Leo once again. His is a true guitar virtuoso and his playing seems almost magical. His dry non sequitur ramblings between songs are worth the price of admission. They provide a window into the mind of this musical genius.

Saw him first in the early 70's - totally enjoyable, this time same response, totally enjoyable (although he talked a little more than I had remembered from the '70's.)

An unforgettable evening with a musical master! Kotke's musical talent was teamed with neighborly wit and storytelling charm that made you feel you were sitting around the living room as he spun his magic. The Variety Playhouse provided the perfect intimate setting to kick back and enjoy his guitar mastery interspersed with oft-disjointed tales that made the musical genius both human and approachable to the audience.

Have been a fan of Kottke for 32+ years; my wife selected "Why Ask Why?" for our wedding!!! We saw him once before. We were in Alexandria on a business trip and saw he was scheduled for the Birchmere. Decided to go and were not disappointed in anything!!! He continues to fascinate us with his talent!! Had a great time in a great place!!! Will check it out next time in the area.

Fortunately for us, Leo doesn't let his age get much in the way of his playing. He didn't play quite as fast as I've seen in previous performances (via youtube), but still has great sound and his music is still lively. Though the performane was shorter than I expected, I can't find it in me to fault the man, he still came out for an encore.

Leo Kottke is an amazing guitar player. It would be great just to hear the music, and you can do that on CD. It's even better to realize that he has a sneakily subversive sense of humor which shows up in his introductions (and even in some of the lyrics). The live show definitely adds value!

Long-time and new fans alike were entranced by Leo Kottke's recent performance at the Birchmere, in Alexandria, VA. His brief but powerful set was vintage Kottke - rich with genius guitar phrasings, unique vocals, and the ever-present and liberally interspersed witty storytelling that have become trademarks of one of the finest acoustic guitarists on the planet. Still touring more than four decades since he became a near-cult favorite, Kottke has lost little, if any, technical skills over the years, and his folksy 'stream-of-consciousness' banter with the audience was as captivating and entertaining as ever. On the business end of the guitar, Kottke relies on sheer genius and his mastery of both six and twelve-string instruments to sustain his on-stage brilliance, shunning the hodgepodge of hocus-pocus electronics many less talented performers might choose to employ in concert. Although he provided the requisite audience-demanded curtain call performance, this observer's only regret was that Kottke did not play as much older material from his vast body of work as I would have liked to hear. But, alas, it was a phenomenal virtuoso performance, and, indeed, a night 'wannabe' guitarists like me will long remember!

I have seen Leo perform many times - first back in the late 70's at Boston Symphony Hall in Massachusetts. His music, muses, and style are at both timely and timeless. The Birchmere is my favorite venue to see Leo. He is totally at ease with the audience and the relative small club atmosphere feeds his connection with his fans. Leo played many of his trademark works - and dusted off some seldom played selections that made us all try to remember exactly what album they came from ... do you remember 33 1/3 albums? His performances are taxing - we always wish that the set was longer - this time he did go beyond the pretty standard 90 minutes.

It was wonderful. He played great and non-stop for hours. The crowd was entranced.