Old 97's Tickets

The sound was terrible. We couldn’t hear the singer on the far side of the stage. The first place we stood you could only hear the drummer. Too bad because the Vandoliers and Old 97’s both put on a high energy show. I don’t think the bands put enough consideration into the acoustics and there was way too much noise.

Band is always great but the sound was terrible. Couldn't hear the singer or guitar at all. Just noise. Really disappointed and probably won't return to the Bluestone

Wanted to see Reckless Kelly, so I got there for the headliner, but Reckless Kelly was just leaving the stage. It wasn't clear to me on the ticket that Reckless Kelly would be the opening act. Wasted money.

Fantastic sound and opener Joshua Ray Walker is a star. Old 97’s sounded great as usual. Theater seating, which is kind of a bummer for a rock show, but the staff were really nice and helpful. The stage was set up way far away from the front row, so there was a bit of a disconnect I felt and wasn’t expecting in a seat so close to the stage.

It was so great to see the band together, standing, Rhett singing that arm and his hips. They played nonstop for 90 minutes and sounded amazing! Fantastic show!

The Old 97's were terrific both nights. They were having fun and so was the audience. Great venue. Efficient entry and cordial staff.

They never disappoint! 2 hours wasn't long enough! Got a set list!! Venue was nice!!

Old 97’s are an amazing live band. We have watched them perform at this concert hall 3-4 times already. Venue is great, not too big, not too small. Sound is always great. Drinks are expensive, but they don’t skimp. Parking is easy, abundant, and free. Security is present and alert. Floor is clean, not sticky.

A dear friend has followed them since they began in Dallas, TX! He highly recommended and they did not disappoint!! Will definitely see them again and again!!

They've been doing this longer than (some of us (not me)) have been alive. And there is a reason for this: They are awesome. The Old 97's are the perfect blend of rock and alt-country and whatever else they choose to draw on for their graceful, hard hitting, witty, powerful music. Rhett, Murray, Ken and Philip absolutely never phone it in, and this show was no exception.

If the Old 97's are playing near you, just go see them. They've always been great, they're still great and they always will be great. Without question, one of the absolute best bands around.

The OLD 97s played with Hugh Energy and Passion Rhett Miller is a great singer and their lead guitarist carries the band along with the bass Songs are fun Crisp and kept the place rockin all night O go see them agai

This was a non stop awesome show. Old and new...outstanding place to see close and intimate show.

Great show, and a great place to see them. Every seat at The Cave is a good seat. The Old 97s never disappoint.

We loved their performance in Eugene, Oregon's itty bitty Wow hall! It wasn't too crowded and they played a lot of the oldies that we really like, as well as a few off the new album. The thing we appreciate the most about the Old 97's is that they are great performers! All or nothing.

The Old 97's were great. Have listened to their music through the years but the live show was unforgettable. A lot of charisma and energy. Venue was perfect also.

I don't know who is in charge of scheduling but they should be fired!! What I saw of the Old 97's was amazing , as always, but they were cut short due to the Royale wanting us out so they could reopen after. Maybe 2 opening acts shouldn't have been booked then? The Old 97's seemed as stunned as the rest of us when they were told to hurry up and get off the stage. Not happy with the Royale blocking off the balcony either, what's up with that?? I will definitely see the Old 97's but I'm NOT rushing back to the Royale. I have been to many shows there with no issues but this really soured me on the place.

I’ve been remiss in my posting so I have a backlog of May reviews. Passion was the theme of the day – first there was my passion for Hamilton and seeing and reading about Hamilton’s passions and then going to see one of my favorite bands and their passion for performing. After my Hamilton day, I walked over to Irving Plaza, which is not one of my favorite clubs in NYC. And even though I’d just seen the Old 97’s two days before, at Irving Plaza they were the headliners. Irving Plaza holds a little over a thousand people so it’s almost twice as large as Music Hall of Williamsburg. I got there before the doors were open – there was a Ken Bethea (lead guitar) sighting – so I was one of the first people in the club. There was plenty of room for me to stand in front of the stage but I don’t like the set-up with the stage high up and the metal grating in front of the crowd. So I stood in my usual spot near the back. Motown, soul, funk, and R&B were playing through the sound system and one of the bouncers joked about dancing with me but just as he approached me a slow song came on and we both laughed and shrugged our shoulders. The room was still pretty empty when Rhett Miller (lead singer/acoustic guitar) came out to introduce BJ Barham (American Aquarium). Rhett didn’t introduce Barham at MHoW and I’m guessing that was because the Old 97’s weren’t the headliners and, therefore, not the hosts of the evening. This time people were not quiet for his set. They may have been quieter closer to the stage but back where I was – closer to the bar – they were very noisy. I was beginning to remember another reason why I disliked this club. Barham played mostly the same set and told the same stories from the other show, although not in the same order. He talked about the November 2015 Paris attacks and writing the solo album because he was thinking of his family and home. Barham talked about his songs being depressing. I remember there were American Aquarium songs like “Wolves,” “Ain’t It Funny,” “Burn.Flicker.Die,” and “Lonely Ain’t Easy” and solo songs like “The American Tobacco Company” and a song about his daughter. Again, I enjoyed Barham’s set a lot and want to see more of him and more of American Aquarium. I don’t know if the Heartless Bastards played a lot of the same songs or not. They certainly didn’t play “The Mountain” again. There are frequent comparisons between Heartless Bastards and the Black Keys (not only because they’re both from Ohio) and for the first time I could hear a little of the Black Keys in the Heartless Bastards’ performance. But it wasn’t enough to make me love or even like them. All the musicians are good - Erika Wennerstrom (lead vocals/guitars), Mark Nathan (guitars), Dave Colvin (drums), Jesse Ebaugh (bass/backing vocals), and I finally found the name of the woman on keyboards/guitars/percussion/backing vocals – Kyleen King, who adds a lot to the band. It wasn’t a sold-out crowd but it was crowded and many of the people enjoyed them. The Old 97’s came out to the same new wave song that had played at MHoW. There was a lot of excitement in the crowd and I could feel that back where I was but it wasn’t enough. I was really regretting my choice to stand so far back but I don’t like feeling like I can’t escape the crowd. There was another couple making out during their set (one couple had made out during their set at MHoW). And this time several couples were dancing in the back. As always, the band gave everything they had for their audience. Since they had more room this time there was a lot of their jumping and running back and forth and interaction among the band members. And with more time, Murry Hammond (electric bass) got to sing more than one song – “Valentine” was introduced as channeling the Everly Brothers. Rhett was in much better voice – the one day of rest helped. And, as usual, he joked with the audience like coming out for the encore and saying, “I can’t lie. I planned for this contingency.” Rhett also remembered playing Irving Plaza before but it was in the 90s so he didn’t really remember. All are excellent musicians, including Philip Peeples (drums). It wasn’t one of my favorite nights with the Old 97’s but that’s only because of the venue and how far away I was from them. Their set was energetic and the crowd was totally into them.

The energy and originality of their music was contagious. Loved the intimate setting of the Traff. It made you feel a part of the band.

These guys were having a blast playing, for me that makes the whole show. Loud enough to be rocking.... clear enough to be understood. High energy the whole set.... and i mean all night. I loved seeing them at the Paradise, and I am going to find them at an outdoor venue next. Live music at its best....