The Friday night concerts at the rodeo have long been a tradition, but you might recall last year, the rodeo added a Thursday night show. The first one, was a 180-degree turn, going pop with “American Idol” winner David Cook. This time, the rodeo is back in its country comfort zone.
Both concerts start after that night’s rodeo. Tickets are available now, costing $20-$30 per show, or $50 for both. Tickets also include admission to the rodeo. Get tickets at clovisrodeo.com. For you buy-in-person types, get the tickets at the rodeo grounds starting March 5.
If you’re looking for a live country trifecta, don’t forget about the recently-announcedDierks Bentley show at Table Mountain Casino, which is happening just a couple days later, on April 29. Tickets for that one cost $25-$45. They, however, are not on sale until March 18.
1. HELP MICHAEL KEENEY Local music vet Michael Keeney was injured pretty bad in March in a skateboarding accident. He had a compound fracture and broke his leg in two places. Ouch! Tonight, the local music scene is chipping in to raise money for him with a big genre-jumping show at Fulton 55. Good cause aside, that’s a lot of good local music. Add the cause, and that’s a good way to spend $10. [Tickets]
Tonight’s a big concert night, with two names you probably recognize in town:
MIRANDA LAMBERT: Country star Miranda Lambert is at Save Mart Center, playing her first headlining show there. She previously opened for Brad Paisley there in 2010. But, of course, things have been swell for Lambert since then and now she’s ready for Fresno’s biggest stage. Tickets and more info here.
DAVID COOK: It’s the opening of the Clovis Rodeo today, and that will prove to divide the loyalty of the good ol’ boys and girls. So with Lambert at Save Mart Center, the rodeo did something new and booked a pop concert. With “American Idol” champ David Cook. Tickets include rodeo admission and are available here. Just a note: The rodeo’s country concert is Friday with Justin Moore, who — fun fact alert — was the other opening act when Lambert opened for Paisley in 2010.
ELSEWHERE: If you wanna go the indie route, I suggest checking out the eclectic sounds of Bright Light Social Hour at Fulton 55. They’re a Southern rock/indie rock hybrid. Kinda different and funky. Fresno Famous has a feature on the band. Tickets here.
Now the rodeo is doing something that it hasn’t done in recent memory — adding a pop concert. Cook will perform April 26, which is the rodeo’s first night. The music starts after that night’s rodeo, which features the PBR riders. Tickets are available now, cost $22 and include rodeo admission.
1. GET FIERCE WITH BROTHER
No surprise here. I’m super psyched about tonight’s show with Brother and Fierce Creatures at Fulton 55. More than anything, I’m excited for Fresno to see Brother before they break out everywhere else. Again, this is one of the first U.S. shows for a band that’s got a big ol’ buzz over in England. Fierce Creatures, of course, are worth the price of admission on their own. Read more about Brother here. Tickets here.
I heard 40 Watt Hype sold out Tower Theatre. And the Tweetup was a blast. We’ll have some photos and videos on the site as soon as we can.
But in the meantime, what did you do this weekend? Fill us in. There were a lot of cool events we missed, but we’d love to hear about ‘em. Did you go to one? Did you try a new restaurant? Ready, set, comment!
