New show announcements: Widespread Panic & Jason Isbell, Weezer & Panic! at the Disco, Heart, Joan Jett & Cheap Trick

A bunch of big shows were announced at the end of last week, including the first notable big shed shows of 2016, each of which features multiple performers teaming up for really big shows.

First up, jam band Widespread Panic and acclaimed singer-songwriter Jason Isbell will take a big venue leap when they come to the Triangle this spring to play Walnut Creek Amphitheatre in Raleigh on Saturday, April 30. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 20, via Live Nation for $45 to $55.

Next up Weezer and Panic! at the Disco, both with new albums out this year, will play Walnut Creek Amphitheatre on Tuesday, June 21. Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness will open. Tickets will go on sale at noon on Friday, January 22 via Live Nation for $25 to $75. Various pre-sales will begin as early as 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 19.

The Who bring the hits to Raleigh as they celebrate 50 years

British rock icons The Who made the fourth stop on their The Who Hits 50 North American tour last night at Raleigh's PNC Arena. They brought nothing but the classics, as Pete Townsend noted during the evening, "they're all fucking old."

They kicked things off with "I Can't Explain" and the hits kept coming with "The Seeker," "Who Are You," I Can See for Miles" and so many more. The band sounded fantastic backed by long-time rhythm section Zack Starkey on drums (yes, Ringo's son) and Pino Palladino on bass as well as a few other players.

The Who announces massive 50th anniversary tour, coming to Raleigh

Legendary British rockers The Who are heading out on The Who Hits 50! Tour that will celebrate the band's 50th anniversary. The massive North American tour starting in the spring is spilt into two legs but the Triangle will see the show early as we're the fourth stop on the first leg.

The Who will play the PNC Arena in Raleigh on Tuesday, April 21. Tickets will go on sale at 9 a.m. on Friday, October 17, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $39.50 to $139.50. The fanclub pre-sale starts at on Saturday, October 11, with other pre-sales rolling starting on Monday, October 13.

[UPDATE: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts will open the entire North American tour including the show in Raleigh.]

NC State Fair announces 2014 lineup, Joan Jett, Vanilla Ice & more

The North Carolina State Fair is a little over three months away and the lineup for the Dorton Arena concerts has just been rolled out with a few interesting inclusions.

Along with the usual country and Christian acts, this year's lineup will begin and end with two anomalies. First, the concerts will kick off on Thursday, October 16, with rapper and reality TV star Vanilla Ice. Then the series will wrap on Sunday, October 26, with venerable rocker Joan Jett and The Blackhearts.

In between those two performances will be Tamela Mann, Clay Walker, Parmalee, Love and Theft, James Gregory, Brandy Clark, Newboys and Trace Adkins. One date has yet to be announced. Check out the schedule with ticket prices below. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 1, HERE.

Downtown Live starts announcing support acts

The Downtown Live folks have started announcing the support acts for their summer series and one surprising thing is that the Joan Jett show just got way cooler. Violet Vector and the Lovely Lovelies, Schooner and The T's will play before Jett at the July 11 show. If you're surprised at the quality bookings there, so are we.

Going the other direction, Marcy Playground will play the August 8 show with Tonic. Yeah, the "Sex and Candy" guys. I had no idea these guys were still around.

Downtown Live schedule:
05.30.09 - Candlebox, Parmalee, Old Habits, Big Rick & the Bombers
06.13.09 - Filter, Bill West, Bright Young Things, Ethan Hanson
06.27.09 - The Tubes, The Loners, Ascella Vega, Zydecopious
07.11.09 - Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, The T's, Violet Vector and the Lovely Lovelies, Schooner
07.25.09 - Charlie Daniels Band, American Aquarium, Brent Jordan, Lonnie Walker
08.08.09 - Tonic, Marcy Playground, Green River Ordinance, River City Ransom, Kevin Wing, Colourside
08.22.09 - headliner TBA, Airiel Down, Adam Pitts, The Urban Sophisticates

[photo by David Winton]

Joan Jett to play Downtown Live

Ever wanted to see a bunch of people singing along to "I Love Rock N Roll?" You'll have your chance on July 11 when Joan Jett and The Blackhearts play Raleigh Downtown Live. We normally have some smart ass things to say about the Downtown Live performers, but I don't have anything on this one. Joan Jett is pretty damn cool.

Here's the updated schedule:
05.30.09 - Candlebox
06.13.09 - Filter
07.11.09 - Jaon Jett and the Blackhearst
07.25.09 - The Charlie Daniels Band

Related posts:
Two more Downtown Live headliners announced
Candlebox to kick off Downtown Live in 2009