CONCERT NEWS
The month ahead willl feature the launch of many exciting concert tours set to travel to venues across North America. On Feb. 5, Kings of Leon will return from a temporary hiatus with the Mechanical Bull Tour, scheduled to stop in over 25 cities this spring. The arena trek will feature Gary Clark, Jr. as opening act. The 27-year-old guitarist not only performed alongside Keith Urban at the 2014 GRAMMYs, but also won his first award for Best Traditional R&B Performance. Three days after the Mechanical Bull Tour launches, another first-time GRAMMY winner for Best Rock Performance, Imagine Dragons, will set sail on its first-ever arena tour. The trek will begin Feb. 8 at Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho.
Also on the arena circuit this February will be Paul Simon and Sting, who will be launching their first joint tour ever in 2014. The On Stage Together Tour will also begin Feb. 8 and will visit more than 20 cities in North America, with major venues like the Los Angeles Forum (Feb. 15), Chicago’s United Center (Feb. 25), and New York’s Madison Square Garden (March 4, 6) on the schedule. “Wrecking Ball” singer Miley Cyrus also will get started on the road this month. Her Bangerz Tour kicks off on Valentine’s Day at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, with North American dates extending through April.
In Feb. 2014, Elton John also is planning to return stateside for a handful of performances promoting his 2013 release “The Diving Board.” Future stops include Montreal (Feb. 5), Toronto (Feb. 6), and Dallas (March 13). Rapper Kanye West will be continuing his Yeezus Tour in 2014 with nine concerts scheduled through the end of the month. Almost all of the new dates will be stops that were not included on the initial 2013 dates.
Second Date of Billy Joel MSG Residency Scheduled for Feb. 3
On Jan. 27, Billy Joel held the first concert of his residency at Madison Square Garden, a first of its kind for the longstanding New York venue. The second performance is slated to take place on Feb. 3, just one day after Super Bowl XLVIII invades the nearby MetLife Stadium. The entertainer, who is currently enjoying his 50th year in the industry, performed plenty of beloved classics and deep cuts during the inaugural residency show in January. The whole audience was able to sing along to hits like “Piano Man” and “New York State of Mind,” but Joel also delighted diehard fans with tracks like “All for Leyna” and “Summer, Highland Falls.
Bruno Mars Las Vegas Engagement Continues with Two February Dates
In a warmer southwest climate, another award-winning artist has plans to continue his existing residency in Las Vegas. In the same week he performs at this year’s Super Bowl halftime show, Bruno Mars will return to the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for two more shows of his extended engagement at the casino’s new venue. On Feb. 15-16, Mars will headline two concerts at The Chelsea, an intimate concert hall with capacity for just over 3,000 fans. Mars previously performed at the site in December, when he delighted fans with staples like “Locked Out of Heaven” alongside covers of artists like Michael Jackson, TLC, and Ginuwine.