Credit: Tony Nelson
Credit: Tony NelsonBrian Setzer is having an extremely busy 2019. In addition to a reunion trek with his old band The Stray Cats in support of their new studio album, 40, and shows with his Rockabilly Riot solo group, the singer/guitarist has just announced plans for his Brian Setzer Orchestra‘s 16th annual “Christmas Rocks!” tour.
The holiday outing, which will visit more than 20 U.S. cities, is mapped out from a November 15 concert in Minneapolis through a December 20 show in Palm Desert, California.
Tickets for most dates will go on sale to the general public this Friday, July 26, at 10 a.m. local time. Members of Setzer’s fan club can buy pre-sale tickets starting Tuesday, July 23, at 10 a.m. local time, while a local pre-sale will launch the following day.
The Brian Setzer Orchestra’s “Christmas Rocks!” shows feature big-band renditions of various tunes from the 19-piece outfit’s three holiday albums, as well as songs from Setzer’s work with The Stray Cats and as a solo artist.
“The music I play in the big band is rock ‘n’ roll with a jazz influence,” explains Brian. “What keeps it fresh is the quality of the players in the band. Also, a big part of keeping the big band fresh is the arrangements; writing the arrangement for 19 people is like writing a song within a song. It makes the song you might have heard many times sound new again.”
The U.S. leg of The Stray Cats’ tour in support of 40 officially launches on August 3 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and runs through a September 1 show in San Diego. Setzer’s Rockabilly Riot concerts take place on off nights during the Stray Cats trek.
Here’s the full list of 2019 Christmas Rocks! tour dates:
11/15 — Minneapolis, MN, State Theatre
11/16 — Chicago, IL, The Chicago Theatre
11/17 — Detroit, MI, Fox Theatre
11/19 — Red Bank, NJ, Count Basie Center for the Arts
11/20 — Englewood, NJ, Bergen Performing Arts Center
11/21 — Springfield, MA, Symphony Hall
11/23 — Lynchburg, VA, Academy Center of the Arts
11/24 — Westbury, NY, Theatre at Westbury
11/27 — Durham, NC, Durham Performing Arts Center
11/29 — Orlando, FL, Hard Rock Live
11/30 — Clearwater, FL, Ruth Eckerd Hall
12/2 — Nashville, TN, The Ryman
12/3 — Atlanta, GA, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
12/4 — Augusta, GA, Miller Theatre
12/6 — Biloxi, MS, Beau Rivage Resort & Casino
12/10 — Salt Lake City, UT, Eccles Theatre
12/12 — Ridgefield, WA, Ilani Casino
12/13 — Seattle, WA, Moore Theatre
12/14 — Seattle, WA, Moore Theatre
12/16 — Oakland, CA, Fox Theater
12/17 — Stockton, CA, Bob Hope Theatre
12/19 — Phoenix, AZ, Celebrity Theatre
12/20 — Palm Desert, CA, McCallum Theatre
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